Track Day Tires - Q2 Vs. Q3

[F4iguy]

Can anyone weigh in on the Q2 vs. Q3 for an intermediate track day rider? I have a chance to save a few $$$ and get some secondhand, but unused Q2's or go the full Monty and get Q3's.

Thanks.

John

[blue03636]

I doubt any of us could tell the difference between them. I have seen guys fly on the q2, talking times that could podium in wera or Motoseries expert races. Granted it was Jeff wrobel running them.

[Helmutt]

I was swayed by several here to get the Q2's, glad i did as they performed very well for a heavy bike and Novice trackday'er. Cant imagine the Q3 would be any less of a tire. Buy both and report your reviews

[Jester_]

Not that I run a very quick pace "one of the faster intermediate riders" but I like the q3. I havent had any issues with them slipping much unless I miss a rev match and slide the rear.

 

I did have a slowside on sunday at PIRC but was my fault not the tires. Tucked the front because I went wide on turn one and I tried to lean the bike over to compensate and away she went. I forgot to fold my knee in as well so thinking that might have taken some weight off the tires as well.

[jbot]

i've never tried the q3, but the q2 is a very capable tire and i've heard nothing but great things about the q3 and that its at least a minor improvement over the q2.  that all said, i never pass up cheap tires.  i generally save up a few hundred for every winter so i can snap up cheap race tires where i can find them.  i'd say if you're not running mid pack to upper advanced lap times, you probably won't notice the difference between any of the street tires meant for a balance of track day/street riding (specifically, Q2/Q3, pilot power, power 2ct, pures, etc).  buuuuuuut, track riding is a LOT about your comfort level and trusting your tires, so you should go with what makes you feel most confident.

[Mary#17]

I just switched from Q2's to Q3's and I like the Q3's a lot more. They turn in much quicker than the Q2's did BUT for a track day where you will wear it out quickly anyway, I'd go for the good deal and then buy the Q3's later.

Edited September 27, 2013 by Mary#17

[MaximumJEFF]

Jason Pridmore used Q2's on all his bikes for STAR School. I saw him dragging knee with a 250lbs guy riding two-up.

Q2's are plenty good

[LINK]

First off, I am not a fan of Dunlop tires, but I thought I would give the Q3's a try anyway, so far, no complaints.

I have no personal experience with the Q2, but I hear that they are good tires.

[RidersDiscount]

You will be fine with either choice.  

[redkow97]

if the price is right, a Q2 will  be more than good enough for an intermediate pace at a track day.  Just don't run street pressures.

 

I did my first season with WERA running Q2's without warmers, and after the warmup lap, I was knee down into turn 3 or 4.  Probably would have been fine in turn 1 if not for traffic.

 

I am actually really excited about the Q3 explicitly because of how cheap the Q2's should become now.  Gotta get a street bike to use them on!

[F4iguy]

Thanks to all. Going with the Q2's and save the extra cabbage for other upgrades. :-)