Hello folks,
I've done loads of miles on slicks, this season and last!
All the info i've read on this thread is pretty spot on. I'll include a few of my observations.
I have only used 17" as that's standard on my 749R.
You would use different compound dependant on the the track your at. Wear rate / grip will determine that.
This sometimes takes a bit of trial and error. Eg this year at Jerez I put on some Michelin softs front and rear. Stunning grip (and I mean stunning!) but they were completely wrecked to the point of sliding everywhere after 15 - 20 laps!
That's what you would expect though from a soft (think almost qualifying) tyre.
The difference in grip between a hard and soft can be felt but to a mere mortal like myself, I choose durabilty (less cost) over grip so go for med or hard dependant on venue.
The Michelin front is also very "pointy". ie. a tall tyre with a good sidewall grip. I found it changed the set-up on the bike and it felt a bit twitchy. A few clicks and ride height change sorted that.
Tony, the best slick combination I found on Jerez was a hard rear and medium front. You'll should get a good full day of sessions when the tyre is good. Your pace will dictate how long they last but the grip is far superior (simply more rubber in contact with the deck than treaded tyres) and the wear rate will be comparible to the guys on road tyres (if not better in my experience!).
You def can feel the extra grip, but the first time I tried them, I thought I hadn't tightened the front wheel up enough as the bike was turning so fast. It was just the higher profile on the tyre. A few laps later, it was incredible, you can push the front SOOO much harder without feeling you're risking as much.
It's true the pro's can do it on a road tyre but having a slick on gave me a mental edge where I felt I could push that little bit harder.
An excellent compromise is the Michelin Pilot Race (track and dry-ish road). Different compounds available and the grip is superb almost like a slick!!
You honestly don't need tyre warmers although they are recommended. You just have to take it REAL easy and let the tyre heat up slowly.
If you go too hard too fast you could
a) come off and feel like a right knob! (worst error this, nearly done it myself a few times DOH!!, all for the sake of waiting a few laps)
b) cause "cold tear" where the tyre and track conditions are at such different temps and the tyre just rips to bits in a few hot laps.
Pirelli Diablo / Corsa, Michelin Pilot Road / Race, Rennsports, are all fantastic tyres I have used in various different venues / temps. (EG. Imola, Jerez, Croft, among others)
If you spend a few laps getting them up to temp you'll be on it.
IMHO, slicks are the dogs, don't cost much (if any) more dosh, and give you a mental edge that will help with the lap times
More speed and less risk! (well it feels that way anyway
)
They take a bit of getting used to as I said above but def worth a try. I would say go for it!!!
This pic on the Michelins, I really miss this place!!!