"warming" up the tires.

[SNsMoto]

We are in CA and weather is never really an issue for us. However, winter is coming around the corner and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I was reading you warm up the tires by things like speed and hard braking-- basically anything to make the tire flex. I read from that same person that people who go out and zig zag on their moto while in a straight line does nothing to warm up the tire.

Is this true and if so, why do we see professional racers doing it on tv-- f1 cars or moto. They obviously have the tire wraps to keep them warm, but I've seen them do the whole zig zag thing as well.

 

[monstermonster]

IIRC there is some evidence that zig zagging will help keep your tires warm once they're up to temp, but it won't warm them up on their own. The real answer is that it's a habit/routine for many racers whether it doesn't anything or not. Rossi picks his ass before every race, but it's not a weight reduction tactic.

 

[Rek3030]

Well, I dont know about the Hard breaking to warm up the tires, maybe the brake., how ever when its cold out, one might want to take it easy and not do to much HARD stuff while trying to "warm" up ones tires.


But I would have to think, that zig-zagging as you put it, would work.

It causes the tires rubber to contact with the pavement, causing friction, which we all know, even with lubricant will cause heat.

So yeah, zig-zagging probably works, but so would just riding around for a few miles before trying anything.

 

[SNsMoto]

Hm I see. The person I read it from on here seemed to scorn the people he sees zig zagging at the track and made it a point that he tries to avoid those people when he does see it. His little info about tire flexing made him seem credible though, so I wasn't sure. I guess there's a difference of opinion on the 'zig zagging'.

Any other input?

 

[LadiesMan]

My input is that the zig zagging thing will add heat to the tires yes, but you'd have to do it so hard and fast that you'd look like a friggin moron. Just go easy the first lap, and your tires will warm up.

 

[Rek3030]

As I read more about it.


Seems like, it might just be a nice thing to build confidence rather than heat.

 

[Enchanter]

A few years ago Roadracing World did a test to see if weaving heated up, or keep the tires from cooling down. They found out is did nothing, zero, zip, total waste of time.

Oh, this thread has nothing to do with training, so it has been moved.

 

[cletus]

IIRC there is some evidence that zig zagging will help keep your tires warm once they're up to temp, but it won't warm them up on their own. The real answer is that it's a habit/routine for many racers whether it doesn't anything or not. Rossi picks his ass before every race, but it's not a weight reduction tactic.

ok im still laughing

 

[SNsMoto]

A few years ago Roadracing World did a test to see if weaving heated up, or keep the tires from cooling down. They found out is did nothing, zero, zip, total waste of time.

Oh, this thread has nothing to do with training, so it has been moved.

so why do we see them doing it on tv at the races? For fun?

 

[SlowGsxr750]

i zig-zag to clean my tires off from debris. it does nothing to warm up.

i get on the throttle and close it/brake for a min to warm up my tires. only way to get tire up to temp is ridding for a few miles.

or you can slide your tires like what "cletus" is doing in his avatar.

 

[TheRiddler]

so why do we see them doing it on tv at the races? For fun?

Probably to warm themselves up, get a feel for being back on the bike. When I played soccer I would jump a little before every game, even though I did a half hour warm-up. The jumps didn't warm me up more, I was just making sure everything was good still.

 

[Zerox]

Acceleration, hard braking, then more acceleration will warm the tires up better than the zig-zag.

Also, realize the front forks and rear shock must also come up to a good operating temperature along with the tires...this is an oft-overlooked phenomenon. Do a track day on a cold day, your front forks are like two sticks of iron on the first lap.

 

[Blankpage]

so why do we see them doing it on tv at the races? For fun?

They are trying to avoid oil patches laid down by British bikes.

 

[spddrcr]

I used to do it all the time just to loosen up, it wasnt about tire's or anything like that it was just to get comfortable on my bike again and try to loosen my suit up a little

 

[MrCrash]

I used to do it all the time just to loosen up, it wasnt about tire's or anything like that it was just to get comfortable on my bike again and try to loosen my suit up a little

I'd guess that most racers are aware of what Enchanter posted (with regards to it having no affect on tire temps), and do it to loosen up just the way you mention. It's pretty common knowledge amongst recreational trackday goers, and racers take it that much more seriously, and have that much more invested in the sport - I'd expect them to know things like that.

 

[joespeedfast]

Definately pilot shakedown mostly, like a boxer cracking his neck or loosening up teh shoulders. The tires are were it's all gonna go down!
Ever see Alonso WHIP his F-1 car finishing a warmup lap?