can I do this to tire warmers?

[cbirk]

Ok, from what I've been told I HAVE to have a set of tire warmers if I plan on running a race compound tire.  Due to my college budget I am unable to get a generator to power the warmers. Can I run them off a power inverter or off my car battery some how? Any help would be appreciated.

Also, how long do tire warmers usually last?

[George_Linhart]

No, you can't.  Your car battery will be dead in no time - the warmers pull way too much juice.

You can however run race tires without warmers.  You need to be smart about how you ride (especially when they are cold) but it can be done.  I ran race tires without warmers for 3+ years, never had too much of a problem.  I finally got warmers this year and it does provide a lot more confidence running into turn 1.  You also will end up with heat cylcing issues as the heating up and cooling down in between sessions will degrade your grip levels after a just a few sessions.

Basically, first lap out concentrate on flexing the carcass to build up heat in the tire - when you are straight up and down be hard on the throttle and hard on the brakes (but only when straight up and down! - no trail-braking and don't try to get on the throttle until the bike is stood all the way up).  You should have the tires up to temp by the end of the sighting lap.  This said, you still might just want to take it a bit easy into turn one on the start and not try that really cool inside block pass move you saw Nicky Haden pull off in his last AMA race...

George

[Super Dave]

Yeah, using the warmer off the inverter...would have to be a big inverter, and I'd suspect that you'd need to have the vehicle above idle also.

Some tires don't need tire warmers so much.  Might want to look into that.  If you want to go really fast, yes, you'll need to have warmers and the real race tires vs some of the track day/street tires.

The sun can help.  The wind will hurt.

Heat from braking will put heat into the rotors and wheels.

Radials need load.  Cornering load is sketchy on cold race tires, but it's kind of necessary.

And old tires that are worn won't hold heat...less insulation.

[Jeff]

Buy the warmers and leach power from your neighbor...  I spent my first year doing that.  Then I bought a genny (and people then leached from me)

[cbirk]

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I think I'll end up just getting the warmers and worry about power when I get there as you suggested Jeff. And Dave, the sketchy cornering on cold tires is the thing I'm worried about. I'll see what I can work out. 

Is it advisable getting used warmers? Do they burn out in sections like a heating element or is it  when they go they go?

Thank for the help again guys

[Jeff]

used warmers are fine.  when they go they go.  unless there are holes burned in them...

[Jason748]

Don't stress over it to much (at least this year), if you can find warmers for a good price get them, if not then just warm your tires on the sighting lap like George wrote, and be careful the first lap or two.  I did my first 1/2 year of racing w/o warmers and had no problems as long as I was careful, plus I learned very qucikly how to get some heat in them on the sighting lap.

[cbirk]

how about a propane torch? j/k yeah, depending on what happens I may/may not get them. I'm leary about buying the warmer used considering they're 175 new vs 100 used. I'll just be really careful on the sighting lap not to mess up.  You guys are the coolest! thanks for easing my anxiety.   

[Dario808]

Quick note on inverters.  I've used a 1500w constant w/ 2000 watt peak cobra brand to run a set of tire baker warmers.  They worked great and used 30% capacity.  You will have to raise the idle of the motor a little to prevent battery drain.  Look me up at BHF and ill show you my setup, of course I did finally get a generator tho...long walk home and all.

[cbirk]

I was looking at a similar size inverter though I think it was 2000 watt rms 3000 peak. The warmers only draw 700/set according to tyre sox .... I just don't want to keep it above idle for 45 minutes. Though I would be using my honda civic as a "honda generator"....I'll end up checking out your set up first.

[TommyG]

That`s freakin` nuts if the track has power for sale!  

[cbirk]

I'll only be running bhf and ra. I'm not sure how much power bhf has. you know, even if I got power and ran 200 ft of extension cord...doesn't alot of extension cord have too much resistance and I'd only be getting like 3\4 of the power....hm, I think blackhawk only has power by the pavilion. correct me  if I'm wrong.