It bears repeating...

[900gc]

Sportrider magazine had an interview with Pirelli Tires' racing manager a few years back. It's both enlightening and left me scratching my head.

https://www.sportrider.com/tips/146_0810_how_to_warm_up_new_tires/viewall.html

Knoche says that the days of using mold release compounds on the tread are over, and that racers weaving back and forth to warm up the sides of the tires isn't necessary. But then he says that new tires shouldn't be slippery at all, unless there's still some goop on them from mounting them on the tire machine.

But new STREET tires are definitely more slippery for the first several miles. So I wonder if there's a difference between race and street compounds at play here?

I can attest first hand as to the ability of race rubber to stick right away. I've done countless races on absolutely new tires with only the sighting lap for scrub in and have gone full bore from the drop of the green flag (using warmers of course) with no issues. Of course no one uses warmers before a street ride so the tires won't have max traction until some heat is in them. I suspect a different mold release process for race and street rubber as part of the reason (as well as compound) why street tires start out slipperier.

Chickenhawk warmer co. did a temp. test years back to see if weaving did much to get heat in the tires. According to the temp. readings it did very little. What gets the heat in is the accelerating, braking and cornering loads that provide sufficient G force to distort the carcass.

 

[NightShine]

Prepping for a trip and mounted a new Avon Storm Ultra on rear. Headed out to run errands and pick up trip items. About two miles from home making a right turn in 2nd gear at probably 15~20 mph, applied gas coming out of turn and hear we go... back end starts to slide out, catches, then a nice little high side.

And so how did you and your bike fare in the high side?

 

[Denver_FJR]

any pix?

Full gore... (click image or larger pic)



Just about everything on left side has some rash. Hey you guys that drag pegs... I drag mine so much they snap off! Beat that!

One way to do this is to go to an empty parking lot and really really counter weight the bike, and ride around in a tighter and tighter circle.

Counter weight it as dramatically as you can: slide your butt off the seat, put all your weight on the outside foot peg, lean the bike in for all it's worth.

Thanks for tip, will add to my parking-log-break-in routine.

Ouch, did you actually go down?

Way down! As far as get-offs go, I consider my self lucky for it to have been at relatively low speed. Helmet took most visible damage but also got a small cut through cloth section of some Alpine Star summer gloves. Cheap Fieldsheer leather jacket doesn't show any abrasion, although I have a little road rash on shoulder. Olympia textile pants don't show any sign of impact/abrasion.

Just my own theory, but I believe that the tire snot that we use to help ease the tire on the rim and set the bead is the slippery stuff. I always wash it off before putting the wheel back on the bike. I believe it is especially important to wash that stuff off if the roads are wet for the first ride on a new set of tires.

Yep, I considered this could have been snot induced too and will add a wash step before heading to parking lot.

 

[A41Billy]

Actually the break-in of new tires is dependent on heat cycles. You must get them up to temp and let them cool down. Rinse and repeat. At least 2 of these heat cycles need to be done before a tire is pushed.

I totally disagree with that. It has to do with scuffing, or roughing up the new smooth rubber.

Edumacation: https://www.sportrider.com/tips/146_0810_how_to_warm_up_new_tires/viewall.html

 

[exskibum]

Sorry about your misfortune, Denver. I feel for you -- no way to feel good about damaging your gear and bike, even if you managed to minimize the injuries to yourself by being smart enough to be geared up.

I always wash my tires and rims after mounting, but not because I had considered the possibility of tire lubricant affecting the tire. I've always just been cleaning up the mess of mounting when it's easiest with the wheels off. Mostly what was left on the rims, and then cleaning the rotors with brake cleaner before reinstalling. Think I'll keep doing it.

Your line about being complacent is the true message here, thanks for the real world reminder.

Exactly. Speaking of which, the same applies to cold tires and/or painted surfaces on the roads. Though maybe not as slippery as new skins, the damage that might result IS the same. I try to remember to take it easy for a couple miles any time my tires are cold.

In the new house, I get a reminder every time I leave. 0.3 miles down a windy, steep, slow speed road from my garage is the main road, and 0.2 miles from there is a great, fun S-turn. You all know how that feels when you need to ride -- cannot wait to carve that nice line, leaned way over and powering out of the exit. It's a temptation I'm avoiding, though -- just a little too much throttle coming out on a day when Murphy is hanging out with me and I'd be throwing the bike down the road (no doubt spending a week pissed off at myself).

Half a mile from the barn, this turn is actually a great reminder on my way out now. I only rip that turn on the way home.

Edumacation: https://www.sportrider.com/tips/146_0810_how_to_warm_up_new_tires/viewall.html

Thank you, sir -- good stuff.

 

[Denver_FJR]

Parts are starting to arrive and I'm looking over bike at same time. Checking out rear tire I can see a difference between the area where I scrubbed tire (ahem) vs the untouched area. Definitely looks like some type of crap on tire. Tire has date code or 42/10, so late '10. Could rubber have begun to oxidize?

 

[Bokerfork]

Lean a little. Lean a little more. Lean a little more. Okay, now lean a lot more.

Done.

Go back to complaining about the Gen II clutch pull ya pussies.

Mark

 

[pcarnut]

Thanks for the heads up. Mounting a new one this weekend.

 

[huron52]

installing new tires are one of the few time my mechanic just rides my bike for sort of fun. He always takes the "snot" off of my tires. It's a tough job but I think he enjoys it. :lol:

 

[gixxerjasen]

Just got in my PR2's. Got my sister in town this weekend so they'll get spooned on next weekend. can't wait!