Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Gang I'm seeking advice on tire warmers. Obviousely this has been brought to light due to the "deal" on offer. I thought they would be overkill for trackdays but I hear alot about road tires getting cold shredding or something like that. I think they are sayiny the tires tend to get torn up before they reach operating temp Was also thinking if you had warmers you could use s/hand slicks. I would think adjustable temp ones would be better than non adjustable but is this the case?So you experienced ones what do you think? Thanking you in advance for your advice/opinion.
Paul.

If your going to do a lot of track work, Id recommend warmers.
A lot of crashes happen at the track in the first 2 laps due to cold tyres.
and running them through hot and cold temp cycles will make them wear quicker.
I bought a set for use on the race bike with slicks but after using them on the road tyres on my 10 at my last track day they certainly help...
A bit showy but who cares, it gets you to the front of the pack in the first few corners....

tyre warmers are a must!!! especially if you go to track days at anytime other than summer.

what you've heard about cold shredding is correct.
it normally takes 2 laps at pace to get the tyres up to temp, but if there are warmers on, you will have more confidence/feel than if you were going straight out on cold tyres. and remember to put the warmers back on as soon as you come back in, this will help retain the heat you have in the tyres, which helps tyre life and allows them to heat up quicker once you get out on the track.

hth

If you do buy a set just watch yourself on lap No2. It's a well known racers habit of crashing on the 2nd lap using warmers. What happens is the tyre actually cools a little from the warmer derived temp during the first couple of laps before it comes back in again to temp. It catches out a lot of people who havn't used them before.

But to add to those who have answered your question.

If you-

A- Do stacks of track days or intend on racing- they are a must!

B- Do the occasional track day with no real intent to race- they are a waste of money!

I didn't have warmers for my first few meets back from retirement last year, and as long as you take the first two or three laps handy they come in OK eventually and will only really cold tear if the pressures are too high or the track temp is mega low.

If you have the bucks they are well worth it and you would have a hard time finding any warmers at those prices let alone temp controlled ones.

Its way better to go out on warm tyres and being able to get straight into it than wasting 2 laps wondering when things are going to be right.

Also more consistant for your head.

Thanks for the insight guys, I appreciate it. You have confirmed what I was thinking - add them to the shopping list
Paul.

dont waste your money !

tyre warmers are only used by posers/wankers or racers.

spend the money on something useful like a radiator gaurd or somthin.

or maybe even some shinko's as they are the best tyre ever!

i use a shinko rear with a metzeler lasertech front , this combination has been excellent under all conditions inc. rain,hail,desert heat, snow storm and sandy conditions..

i was told by the guy in the local tyre shop that this is the best combination and it works so well here.

but then i usually ride way beyond my ability , so i probably have no idea what i am saying !

fab