Slick Tires VS DOT || Which is Best for You?

[@davidmol2240]

I’ll share my experience with track riding so far in hopes that this helps some people decide. I’ve done about 6 or 7 track days so far, and for my first 4 or 5 I’ve done them with Bridgestone S22s. They were great for my skill level and got me from a complete noob all the way to dragging my knee. I learned body position, racing lines, etc. on them without an issue. It was when I gained more skill, experience and confidence with the bike that I started to feel the limit of what this street tire can do on the track (my rear tire began to slide mid corner as I was carrying more corner speed and increasing lean angle), so I swapped to Supercorsa SP V3s. The difference in grip was night and day from the start, and I’m still rocking them to this day. From my experience, you shouldn’t upgrade to a higher grip tire unless you feel that you’re ready for them, let alone slicks. It feels good to feel when you’re on the limit of a tire, but if you go straight to slicks you will probably never feel that, unless you’re already very fast and experienced. I think taking it day by day is better than jumping the gun and going straight to the highest grip possible. Not only that, but I’ve seen many people who have crashed due to improperly warmed tires, and that just isn’t a problem with most DOT tires that don’t even need warmers and heat up after 1-2 laps. That’s just my opinion on what you should do if you’re a less experienced track rider such as myself. I hope this helps.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

Thank you so much for that feedback!! It's awesome hearing other people's experiences and opinions, helps gain a better perspective.

[@848evo4]

were you running street tire pressure or track pressures?

[@vr46nh69bs11]

Yeah I guess this is where we’re gonna disagree. Just because you have a dedicated track bike does not mean you’re ready for slicks or should run them. In my opinion everyone needs at least 10 track days or more under your belt plus a certain amount of speed. Without the experience you have no idea of feel and reference and without speed you have a greater chance of loosing the heat in the tire you need to make it work properly. Truthfully on the scale of 1-10 of things to worry about when getting into track days is when to run slicks is probably closer to 10. So many things you need to have under your belt in building good habits that are far more important. Many unfortunately run slicks because of status or all there friends do it mentality. I’d be taking some coaching on the track and then ask them on their opinion way before I just decided for myself. Just my 2 cents worth. Hyper sport tires Now days are so good you could run them for years before you switch over with zero issues. You take 2 laps to get up to pace and after that you’re solid. 2 laps also for your brain to catch up to the new speeds and environment too. No need to rush into slicks

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

Love this kind of feedback!! Have to say I do agree with you completely! I think this video was targeted at someone that has already put in that time and is on the edge of being ready or not. But you're absolutely right that running slicks brings so many new things to worry about to the table and that would be a lot for a newer rider. If you're new and reading these listen to the man above!! ^^

[@848evo4]

the Dunlop, Pirelli, Michelin, etc track day and track rated super sport tires are plenty for most every track day rider. If you're a expert club racer I can see you running slicks. The big trouble with slicks is having the correct compound for conditions. the DOT's will do great with or with out warmers.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

@@848evo4 that's some great feedback, and I'd say I agree with that! All the different conditions are hard to work with slicks whereas dots are built for "any" condition.

[@KimmyR3]

track day DOT tires like Pirelli Super Corsa/Rosso Corsa or Dunlop Q4/Q5 is gonna be more than enough for most riders. Unless you're at the top of local races or just have the budget for slicks, they're unnecessary imo. not only do you need the extra equipment to run slicks, but you also need the skills and speed to keep them at the proper temperature. so unless you can't be bothered, trackday DOT is ok.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

Thank you for this outlook! Can't say I disagree with you

[@davidciesielski8251]

Thanks, a lot of great points.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

Thank you!

[@sunny7L]

coincidental timing on this one. i'm in that category of transitioning to slicks this year, and i had to go through that whole (expensive) gambit of new tires, tire warmers, generator, cords, creating room in my hauling system for all this, etc. i ran trackday DOTS for the past year and although you didn't talk too much about it, the biggest factor to me for changing was managing tire pressure. i liked the idea of being able to set my hot pressure before getting on the track rather than guessing and coming in after the first session and needing to drop it like 6 PSI (yikes) and then monitoring it after every session thereafter. with trackdays there are so many variables you have to contend with, my mentality is that managing the technical setup of your tires creates another constant, so you're managing less. that being said i do think you need some 'pace' to run slicks because temps drop off quick. group level in a trackday won't matter, but i think it would make sense to have an idea of where your lap times are -- compared to the 'fast' guys -- to gauge your pace. i'll probably do a video on my experience with slicks -- i'm throwing them on my 390 first and once i can roll on that bike, i'll throw them at my 765.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

That is some great input! I definitely agree with how nice it is to know what your pressure is hot off the warmers. Thanks for all the great input! Look forward to hearing about your experience!!

[@armydog1002]

The only things keeping me from switching to slicks is the extra money that I would have to spend on a generator, tire warmers, constant monitoring of heat and the price tag for the slicks. It just seems like a pain to me.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

The upfront cost is definitely more, surprisingly though slicks themselves are often cheaper than equivalent performance dot.

[@alissonmelo1709]

Great video!! I would say just do some tracks on DOT first, slicks are great!!! I felt way more grip on them.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

I agree, get some experience on the DOTs first for sure!!

[@petebusch9069]

If you can't keep the heat in a race tire your not ready for it. How many of you are checking tire temps with a tire pyrometer right after a session to verify? If not how do you know?

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

This is good input!!

[@petebusch9069]

@@JKMotoEntertainment I say that because I've never check tire temps using warmers and never see anyone do it. I just watched a Dave moss video and am sold on checking tire temps with a pyro that sticks into the tire. I'm barely an advanced rider and am one of those guys who might be better off on a street tire like a supercorsa but have been running race slicks for the past couple years. The way I see it checking tire temps after a session is really the only way to know unless someone can tell me otherwise. I would think it would come down to lap times on a given track, if your not running at X pace at this track you won't maintain heat in the tire. Always learning this stuff.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

@@petebusch9069 lap times are definitely an easy way to set a "marker" of sorts but my small amount of knowledge also knows that pressure and weather factors can play a large role as well. Always learning here also so I appreciate your feedback and thoughts!

[@petebusch9069]

@@JKMotoEntertainment Yeah me too, always learning.

[@r1_fanaticbikelife213]

I dislike when someone simplifies dot and slick differences is just tread. That is absolutely wrong! Slicks have a different belt system internally. DOTs are built different to heat up very quickly when riding on the roads

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

I believe most of that was mentioned in the video if it's watched all the way through. As stated we could talk for hours about all the scientific differences. But for the sake of a simple short video explanations and differences were kept short and simple.

[@ericdeven1296]

For the extra tenth of a second, it doesnt seem to justify the extra trouble and expence. The tire tech just wanted to sell you the tires. Unless you are at the limit of the DOT tires, the slicks wont help.

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

With the high science put into the DOT tires of today I don't know that I can argue with you.

[@the_rush_to_nothing]

Good Info. +1

[@JKMotoEntertainment]

Thank you, and thanks for the comment!