Pirelli DIABLO SUPERCORSA SC tyres are grooved racing tyres designed to enhance the performance of a motorbike on the track. They are so specialised that they are available in four compounds: SC0, SC1, SC2 and SC3 for the rear wheel and SC1, SC2 and SC3 for the front wheel. The different specifications range in sequence from soft (SC0) to hard (SC3).
In this article, we will see what to look for when choosing the right tyre for your bike, how to identify the best compound for your riding skill level and the conditions to get the most out of your bike. It must be said right away that although these tyres are specialised, they do not have critical characteristics. In other words, they work very well in a wide array of situations to ensure performance, safety and driving pleasure. Now, let's dive in and choose the version that best suits your needs to achieve maximum performance.
Amateurs and experts
This article addresses amateur and experienced riders. We will not deal with pro riders, who have a team of trained technicians at their service that knows how to make the best choice for the weather conditions, the track, the characteristics of the bike and the rider's needs.
Amateurs
Amateurs may be beginners or experienced and fast riders who use their motorbikes only sporadically on the racing track. The typical situations are track days, with frequent track entries and exits, varying tarmac conditions and weather and no need for tyre warmers. The choice is easy. The right compound is SC3 for both the front and the rear wheel. This compound works well over a wide temperature range. It is suitable for both smooth and aggressive tarmacs and has a longer service life.
At the same time, it is a high-performance racing product for clocking excellent lap times in safety. Finally, it is well-supported and firm to the benefit of precision driving.
Experienced riders
Experienced riders want that extra something, superior and fast. They want to tune their bike to get the most out of them and will opt for the compound that secures the best performance. Let's have a closer look.
The compounds for the rear wheel
The first thing to do when choosing a compound is not to trust just the words hard and soft. The adage you may have heard that says that “a soft compound is better in cold weather for grip and a hard compound in hot weather because it doesn't flake” is simply not correct.
This is because the consistency of a tyre – i.e., the quality of being hard or soft – is not an absolute measurement and varies according to temperature. Each compound needs to work in certain temperature conditions. So, running a soft SC0 at a low temperature does not guarantee maximum performance because it is not the condition for which it was designed. In addition, it could be damaged and torn.
The following points explain the characteristics of every specific tyre and the ranges of action of the four compounds (SC0, SC1, SC2 and SC3) and can be useful to suggest the choice of a Pirelli compound.
- The SC0 (the softest) is formulated for high temperatures and smooth tarmac, which usually offers little grip. It is recommended if you are looking for performance. Hot tarmac loses some of its natural mechanical grip becoming smoother and more slippery and a soft compound, such as SC0, can penetrate the track surface more and is preferable.
- The SC1 is also soft. There are partial overlaps with the SC0 but the compound is more pliable. It is also formulated for high performance but it has a wider margin in terms of temperature and tarmac type.
- The SC2 is the intermediate compound and as the graph shows it is suitable for lower temperatures and more aggressive tarmac. Cold tarmac tends to be rougher, offering greater mechanical grip, which, while being an advantage, can tear the tyre. For this reason, a compound with more mechanical strength, such as the SC2 or the SC3, is needed.
- The SC3 is the hard compound. It has a wide range of action in terms of temperatures, including cooler conditions, and as mentioned above it is suitable for track days.
Important note: the DIABLO SCUPERCORSA SC types have very specific compounds but are also ductile meaning they are suited to a wide range of uses without problems.
The compounds for the front wheel
The criteria for choosing the compound of the front wheels are different from those of the rear wheel because the compound tends to become softer when the temperature rises and this could cause problems when leaning into a corner when the front wheel must offer maximum precision and support. So, here are the considerations for choosing the front wheel.
-The SC1 is soft and recommended when the tarmac is cold because a harder compound would tend to stiffen up penalising grip with the possibility of understeer and to the detriment of braking stability. In these conditions (cold tarmac), using a soft compound, such as the SC1, is the best.
- The SC2 is intermediate and recommended when the tarmac is hot to avoid becoming too soft for a firmer front end.
In addition to temperature, the choice of front tyre compound also depends on the rider's style. The less aggressive riders capable of a more rounded action that reins in the nervousness of the bike driven at the limit will choose an SC1. The more aggressive riders, who push the braking to the limit by forcefully loading the front end, will need a firm tyre capable of offering greater support and will choose an SC2.
- The comments above apply to the hard SC3. It is a highly supportive, ductile and durable compound and perfect for track days.
