THRYLLZ
Thrills we thrive on
Thrills we thrive on
Your neighbour at the track takes his shiny race bike out of the van and puts it on the paddock stands. There it stands in all its glory. With fresh rubber. Shiny slicks gleam at you. We think it’s a beautiful sight. You want this too. But riding on slicks: when do you start using slicks on track?
We don’t know exactly what it is, but a motorcycle on new slicks is a beautiful sight. The shiny black rubber almost smiles at you. It immediately gives a fast look. When you start riding on track, slicks are not necessary yet. But when does that moment come when you switch to riding on track with slicks? Opinions are divided on this. We give our advice.
Slicks are tyres that are specially made for riding on track. And racing, of course. These tyres have no tread and are designed to give you maximum grip, both when cornering and on the straights. They can withstand a lot of heat. Much more than a street tyre.
Slicks come in many shapes and sizes. Not only does it depend on your motorcycle—the rear tyre of a 400 is much narrower than that of a 1000, for example—but factors such as the track, the outside temperature, your riding speed, and braking technique also determine which compound—or composition of your tyre—is right for you. And then there’s brand preference… There is a big difference between slicks from different brands and compounds.
As a novice track day rider, Metzeler TD Slicks are often the first slicks you come into contact with. This type of slick is actually a ‘promoted street tyre’ without a tread. To put it bluntly. You don’t necessarily need to use tyre warmers with Metzeler TD Slicks. These tyres warm up fairly quickly on the track. Ideal! They can withstand many heat cycles. This is the process by which a tyre heats up and cools down again. A ‘real’ slick can only go through this process a few times, after which the grip decreases significantly. A TD Slick does not have this problem, which means they last longer.
This is the tricky part of the discussion, because many riders have an opinion on this. Our opinion is: are you aiming for 2:00 at the TT Circuit Assen? So are you riding 2:04-2:00 as your lap time? Then you can easily switch to a Metzeler TD Slick. Semi-slicks such as the Pirelli Supercorsa or Metzeler Racetec would also be good choices.
Tyre warmers are not strictly necessary, but they do make riding more enjoyable. This also applies to the tyres mentioned above. They give you a more consistent starting temperature, which you can use to measure your performance.
We would only recommend ‘real’ slicks such as Pirelli Diablo Superbike slicks or Dunlop KR106/KR108 if you are riding under 2.00. You really need to ride these with tyre warmers at all times.
We would like to add that you can also ride perfectly well at 1.50 with a 600 on Supercorsas. So no, slicks are not necessarily required. But would you still like to ride with them? Then we would recommend the above.
Slicks should remain between 70-90 degrees Celsius for optimal grip. Are you not riding fast enough to keep them warm? And are you using tyre warmers? Then you will have a lot of grip during the first few laps. But after that, the grip level will decrease if you don’t keep the tyres warm enough. The temperature in the tyres drops if you don’t ride fast enough or brake hard enough. That’s why riding technique and speed determine whether or not you benefit from riding on slicks.
Of course, the ambient temperature also has a significant effect on the warmth of your tyres. The colder it is outside, the more important your riding technique and speed become in keeping the slicks warm.
Are you going to ride on track with slicks? Always check the tyre pressure of your front and rear tyre before you start riding. Make a note of this pressure. Also make a note of the temperature of the tyre warmers. When you return, don’t just calmly finish your last lap, keep up the pace. First check the temperature of your front tyre. That’s the most important one. Is it still around the same temperature as when you started? Then you’re doing well. It may drop slightly if you had to ride a little more slowly across the paddock. Has the temperature dropped significantly? Then consider increasing the tyre pressure. Do the same for the rear tyre.
Riding on slicks during your track days is a magnificent sight. You suddenly feel like a real speed demon (or speed queen!) when you ride out with those shiny tyres. However, it is not always necessary to ride with slicks, especially if you are just starting out with riding on track.
Are you riding close to that 2:00 lap time at TT Circuit Assen? Then you could consider beginner slicks such as the Metzeler TD Slicks. Although semi-slicks such as the Pirelli Supercorsa and Metzeler Racetec are actually just as good.
Riding on track with slicks requires a certain riding speed and technique. You also need to ride with tyre warmers and keep a close eye on the temperature and pressure of your tyres. So keep your head in the game!
