New Tires and Rain

[KnuckleHead]

So I will be picking up my 08 next week, and surprisingly the forecast is for rain until June (shocking, I know). I have a buddy that tells me that i absolutely do not want to ride home with new tires in the rain. I have ridden plenty in the rain (this IS Seattle after all) but never with new tires. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Should I wait until it dries out a bit or go borrow my buddies trailer?

 

[madmike2]

Its your plastic covered FJR you are risking, do what you want.

New tires are going to be "slick" until they've been scrubbed in and run through some heat cycles, usually about 100 miles, or so. The FJR is a relatively high horsepower-high torque motorcycle that YOU are not used to. WE have no way to gauge your competency.

If you are talking about some sprinkles with wet & dry spots, that would be one thing. If you are talking about real PNW rain and wet streets, that's another. I've seen videos of "squid" dropping their bikes (under power) in front of the dealer's showroom on a dry road.

For the price of renting a trailer??????

 

[Ignacio]

I took brand new ME-880's on my bike that are known for their durability at the expense of being pretty crappy in the rain and rode them through the remnants of a hurricane for their first ride last year. And I'm a desert dweller.

Point is....take it easy....give yourself some extra following distance....and be easy on the throttle because you're breaking in a new bike anyway. I wouldn't want to take it over Snoqualmie Pass, but down 167 should be fine. Try jabbing the rear ABS in the parking lot to get a feel.

 

[ponyfool]

I just had two new Pilot Road 2 tires put on my bike, then miles later, hit the road for 90 minutes in piss pouring rain. If you know it's slick, treat it with respect, you should be fine................... just don't turn, stop or accelerate.

 

[Kevin Daly]

So I will be picking up my 08 next week, and surprisingly the forecast is for rain until June (shocking, I know). I have a buddy that tells me that i absolutely do not want to ride home with new tires in the rain. I have ridden plenty in the rain (this IS Seattle after all) but never with new tires. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Should I wait until it dries out a bit or go borrow my buddies trailer?

If your dealer wants you to take delivery ASAP he can trailer it a few miles at no chanrge. I mean for gods sakes you just spent a buttload of money at his store! My dealer did. Alternatively, you can tell him that you 'll be in to pick it up when the weather turns

 

[FJRay]

I rode mine home in pouring rain in the northwest without any trouble. Remember you are on a high performance machine and take it easy on the throttle and the brakes.

 

[UHOH]

...I have ridden plenty in the rain (this IS Seattle after all) but never with new tires. Does anyone have an opinion on this? ...

Hey, you're in the land of rain and have plenty of experience riding in rain.

Under these conditions, you're experienced.

I'd probably also want to have full coverage insurance in force, but that's not related to the new tires...

PS congrats on getting the new bike

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

All of the above. But it IS your bike; don't blame us.....

You can also bring a piece of sandpaper with you to scrub the tires up, before you hop on, for added peace of mind.

 

[cota95]

Easy on the throttle, slow on the corners, and avoid large puddles. Within 5 minutes of picking up my new bike I had rain. And I still had 1500 miles to go to get home. Respect the power of this machine, and you'll do just fine.

 

[El Toro Joe]

have the dealer deliver it...the dealer I got mine from delivered it 90+ miles for free

 

[Harald]

As an experienced rain rider, you should be fine riding home. I pass through Auburn on a bike every day and as you know it's often raining. Like others have said, I take it easy in the rain and a little easier on new tires. Riding on new tires is not like riding on a skating rink - they do have some traction.

I change my own tires and use the sandpaper trick on new tires before hitting the road. The rear is easy to sand while on the centerstand and in gear. The front requires my wife to sit on the passenger seat and lean back to get the front wheel up in the air (or use a jack under the engine). I use the sandpaper trick whether it's going to rain or not just so I can maximize traction as quick as possible.

BTW, where are you getting your new scoot? I'll be looking for that beautiful black FJR on the road soon :yahoo:

 

[FJR1300Mark]

As soon as you pick up the bike the skys will brighten and all of life will be better.

But just in case familiarize yourself with the bike out of the rain and then ride carefully.

I was nervous the first time I rode the fjr in the rain because it was new to me and has huge horse power. I road slowly and it was a non event.

Enjoy

 

[tapsport]

RUN IT

 

[SockMonkey]

Out of sheer curiosity, does anyone know what brand and model of tires Yamaha is putting on the '08s (in other words, from whom did they get the best deal)? My '07 came with the Metzeler RoadTec Z6, though I'm aware that some of earlier '07s were shipped with the Bridgestone BT020.

 

[07FJRSD]

check here https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...mp;#entry230299

 

[SR-71]

Oh hell, let it rain. Take the bull by the horns! Experience that new beast before you leave the dealership's parking lot. 8500 rpm, lean over the tank, drop the clutch (please say it ain't an AE!), light up the rear tire, and with feet on the pegs and power slide that thing through a couple of donuts. If if comes out from underneath you, hey... you're at the dealer and they has extra parts! And if you don't fall, you'll look like one hell of a rider!

... or I suppose you can do what the others are recommending. :dntknw:

 

[Powerman]

SR-71, Howdy neighbor. I'm on 17 past Geico.

 

[dbvolfan]

Leave a few of these in the driveway before heading off into the rain......that should take some of the edge of those tires!

 

[protondecay123]

Ride that mofo, Bro :yahoo: