new tire break in

[plehman]

Time to put on new rubber. The mechanic said you will have to go easy on new tires, particularly on the sides (meaning cornering).

Any idea how long this might take? Do you think it unadvisable to install two new tires and take off on a long trip?

R850R, Metzlers.

Thanks!

[jdiaz]

You only need to take it easy for 2-300 miles. I would run the tires around for a day or two before your trip, to make sure you like the balance job and to make sure they are holding air. Don't forget to get new valve stems.

[HFD190]

Obviously you need to use good judgment, incorporate your riding skills and experience and how comfortable you are with your bike, etc. Also taking into consideration the riding conditions. If you leave the shop with new tires and it’s raining, clearly extreme caution is warranted. I think most consider tires to be “clean” after about 75 miles of riding.

There should be no problem embarking on a lengthy trip on new rubber. I would rather that then try to get by on questionable older tires…

[Seeker]

I understand that there is some kind of mold release on a new tire from manufacture that makes them slippery, I also heard that you can clean it off with something, maybe a good degreaser.

[screwtop]

When my mechanic slaps a new set of Tourances on the GS, he hands me a bottle of surfactant and a piece of fine to medium grit sandpaper and makes me scuff them up while on the balancing spindle. This takes a bit of elbow grease, but he usually cuts me a pretty good deal so what's not to like? Then I take it easy for about 100 miles or so. I usually find a good dry country road and do some slolom "Zig-Zags" at reduced speed (kinda like NASCAR under caution) to work them in a bit before hitting any major twisties.

[henzilla]

When my mechanic slaps a new set of Tourances on the GS, he hands me a bottle of surfactant and a piece of fine to medium grit sandpaper and makes me scuff them up while on the balancing spindle. This takes a bit of elbow grease, but he usually cuts me a pretty good deal so what's not to like? Then I take it easy for about 100 miles or so. I usually find a good dry country road and do some slolom "Zig-Zags" at reduced speed (kinda like NASCAR under caution) to work them in a bit before hitting any major twisties.

OMG...how dare you compare scuffing BMW tires to NASCAR:stick :laugh :laugh :laugh



but seriously...don't do any crazy cornering for the first 100 miles...around here the chipseal roads take the new right off after a 25 mile run...my tire guy always fires that warning on way out..."be careful the first 100"

[bubbagazoo]

The hundred mile distance seems to be pretty standard. Go out on a dry day for a meandering 2 hour run at normal highway speeds (the posted limit not what you think are normal ;) ). Do some swerving in your lane and by the time you get back home, the new will have worn off your tires.

[screwtop]

OMG...how dare you compare scuffing BMW tires to NASCAR:stick :laugh :laugh :laugh



but seriously...don't do any crazy cornering for the first 100 miles...around here the chipseal roads take the new right off after a 25 mile run...my tire guy always fires that warning on way out..."be careful the first 100"

Hey what-cha' expect from somebody who used to drink wine from a 5 litre bottle? (hence the moniker "Screwtop")?

[bmwcliff]

Just put the Conti Road Attacks on the Rockster, very sensitive to pavement inconsistencies for the 1st hundred miles or so, almost a little scary considering the Pirellis were pretty worn. Seemed to have worn in a little, and I am gaining a bit of confidence in them.:dunno

[dlearl476]

Time to put on new rubber. The mechanic said you will have to go easy on new tires, particularly on the sides (meaning cornering).

Any idea how long this might take? Do you think it unadvisable to install two new tires and take off on a long trip?

R850R, Metzlers.

Thanks!


Long trip? That will suffice. I prefer a more controlled environment, cause it's a good excuse for a ride. I have a nice NRA here with a 14 mile one-way loop. I start out riding very conservatively and do a loop, let the tires cool (I think heat cycles are an important ingredient of break-in as well) then do another loop a little more agressively, and build up until I've scuffed most of the thead. (Can't really do it ALL on a public highway. I don't even get it all on my Vun at a trackday) It usually takes 4-5 laps, 50-60 miles, then the tires are good to go (although Michelins will still "follow" rain grooves for another hundred or so miles).

The only thing to remember riding new tires on your trip is that each corner that you take that is a little sharper than previous ones is that at that point, you're riding on brand new tires. That could happen 700 miles into your trip. (That's why I like to do it all at once in a controlled way, the next time I ride I know I've got broken-in tires)

[bikerfish1100]

I was discussing this very issue with some of the tire guys from MotoWerks that were set up at the Rally (great crew, btw, and Johnny is great to work with). It was stated that it is NOT a physical "scuffing in" that must occur, but rather a chemical one. That is- heat, and only heat, will remove the chemical residue that's left over from the molding process. (think about it- if it was physical scuffing that was necessary, each time you went a little farther over on the edge of the tire, it would be like running on a brand new, slippery tire surface).

[plehman]

First of all, thanks for your advise.

I ended up with just the front replaced. New Michelin to match the rear. Frankly, I couldn't feel any difference in cornering friction. Still I took it easy and love the confidence and smoothness of a new tire.

ride far, not fast.

[jingdog]

The geometry of the old tires you replaced is really different from that of the new ones. Theyre like a bad habit. Thats why you need to be carefull on new tires. If there was something slippery on new tires everybody would be having accidents.And tire makers would be getting sued.

[Mr. Frank]

After you break in a new tire, it's a good idea to check the pressure. As the carcass loosens up, there is a drop in pressure.

[Kwazimoto]

Motorcycle Consumer News has had a few articles recently about this. From what I gather, it`s a combination of mold release,heat,and the sharp edges on the grooves of the new tires. They were recomending taking a Stanley Sureform type file and scuffing the tires with it. I must be overly worrisome,but when I put a new set on,after they`re on the bike I take my electric orbital sander and put a sheet of 80 grit on it and spin the tire slowly while using the sander on it. I also live near a gravel road,so I go ride on it for a while,thinking that this will help clean the tire(scub it in).(It`s also another excuse to go for a little ride!)

[j-budimlya]

Metzler says ride 150 miles at no more than 60 mph.....

This is so hard,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:nono

[sachiwilson]

Consider what the racers do with new tires. They heat them up and let them cool off, and then go run 'em hard.

I'm inclined to go with the heat treatment myself.

[j-budimlya]

Consider what the racers do with new tires. They heat them up and let them cool off, and then go run 'em hard.

I'm inclined to go with the heat treatment myself.

Well, they had there first heat today.....tomorrow they will have their second....and then on the weekend...they will be ready for "testing"....:brow