New tyre

[hellokitty]

I have a new tyre on the back on my cruiser. This is my first new tyre ever!
Obviously I asked the guy what to do and he said ride very carefully for 150kms and don't give it heaps on corners etc. It was an interesting ride back to work going through roadworks.
Is there a better way to scrub the tyres - If I am riding carefully I would assume the sides are still going to be slippery? Should I ask someone more experienced to do it? Am I worrying too much?
I saw a guy with a big sports bike drop it because of new tyres....

[Genie]

I have a new tyre on the back on my cruiser. This is my first new tyre ever!
Obviously I asked the guy what to do and he said ride very carefully for 150kms and don't give it heaps on corners etc. It was an interesting ride back to work going through roadworks.
Is there a better way to scrub the tyres - If I am riding carefully I would assume the sides are still going to be slippery? Should I ask someone more experienced to do it? Am I worrying too much?
I saw a guy with a big sports bike drop it because of new tyres....

When I bought my bike - new, I was told to take it easy for the first 500k so I presume the same for new tryes. I'm getting a new set for my bike next week (yeeha) so I'm interested to see if this is the case.

[Kiwi Graham]

New tyres do need to be 'scrubbed in'. This is to remove the shiney surface of the tyre that will have a fine film of release agent on it.
Tyres are made in moulds and the moulds are coated with a release agent to aid the release of the tyre when 'set' (made).

The simple way to scrub tyres in is to go for a ride, a gentle ride without heavy ecceleration or hard braking, choose a winding road so the bike gets to lean both ways.

If you check your tyres after the ride you will notice the difference, there will more than likley be a band of shiney tyre on the edges verses the 'scrubbed' part of the tyre towards the middle which will be dull in colour.
The shiney strips on the side will gradually become scrubbed in as you lean more and more over the coming weeks but the vast majority of the tyre will do all the gripping as this occures.

The distance you have to cover to achieve this is not massive, just go for a ride for hour or so and the job is done.

Genie;
You were advised to take it easy for 500k's to run you engine in as well as all the other new components of your bike.

[Corse1]

The simple way to scrub tyres in is to go for a ride, a gentle ride without heavy ecceleration or hard braking, choose a winding road so the bike gets to lean both ways.

The distance you have to cover to achieve this is not massive, just go for a ride for hour or so and the job is done.


Yep a ride around Lake Rotorua and Mount Ngongotaha does it for me. About 60km's starting off gently and leaning further and further without undue accelleration.

I have heard most people mention 100km's as a rule of thumb so yes an hours worth approx.

[Owl]

After fitting new tyres, I always wipe them down with Brakleen on a lint free cloth. While I still take it easy, I've never had "a moment" since using this method.

[Grasshopperus]

I searched the KB site for this about a month ago.

Best thing I found was to find a deserted carpark and do figure-of-eights at low speed while varying the radius of the turn. Only took about 5 mins until the tyre lost its sheen.

[Genie]

Yep a ride around Lake Rotorua and Mount Ngongotaha does it for me. About 60km's starting off gently and leaning further and further without undue accelleration.

I have heard most people mention 100km's as a rule of thumb so yes an hours worth approx.

So then, I'm guessing I best go up the Takaka HIll next Thursday, Twice should do it! Yeeha, any excuse for that road.:scooter:

[The Everlasting]

After I got my new tyres fitted I went to scenic drive and blasted around there for a few hours of fun.

[vifferman]

Many/some tyre manufacturers now use non-silicon-based <s>lifeforms</s> mould releasing agents, so the slippery scrubbing-in phase is unnecessary. However, if you want to scrub them in fast, riding on a road/driveway with deep gravel works. Alternatively, the aforementioned figure-8s in a carpark is the quickest (albeit less fun than a fang on a twisty road).

[Mully]

However, if you want to scrub them in fast, riding on a road/driveway with deep gravel works.

I concur with the Honourable Gentleman

[hellokitty]

Thanks, I don't know where any deep gravel is so I will do the figure 8s in a carpark - good practice anyway as I don't throw the 750 around like I used to with my 250.

[madkiwi]

2 laps of Hampton Downs (crapping myself), after that started scrapping pegs so assumed it was ok, Darren told me they would scrub in quick, he was right

[madkiwi]

2 laps of Hampton Downs (crapping myself), after that started scrapping pegs so assumed it was ok, Darren told me they would scrub in quick, he was right

[Antonio]

I always do a burn-out for at least 30 sec and while im doing burn-out I lean the bike to the sides to get the edges as well as riding it easy for first 100 k.
Some ppl say it doesn't make difference to do burn-out but i say it does a great deal, gets the shiny material off the tyre and makes it a bit rough.
That is doable for rear and for front I use a sand paper to get the silicon and shiny chemichal off.
Some ppl might laugh but it works for me as I have a very angry bike :)
All of my experienced friends had a drama with new tyres at least once and now they use my trick and all are happy.

[hellokitty]

I always do a burn-out for at least 30 sec and while im doing burn-out I lean the bike to the sides to get the edges as well as riding it easy for first 100 k.
Some ppl say it doesn't make difference to do burn-out but i say it does a great deal, gets the shiny material off the tyre and makes it a bit rough.
That is doable for rear and for front I use a sand paper to get the silicon and shiny chemichal off.
Some ppl might laugh but it works for me as I have a very angry bike :)
All of my experienced friends had a drama with new tyres at least once and now they use my trick and all are happy.

:yes: Many people have said to me to do a burn-out :shutup: I don't know how hahahaha I would think it would be much easier on your bike than mine!
Anyone want to do a burn out on my bike? :shit:

[hellokitty]

2 laps of Hampton Downs (crapping myself), after that started scrapping pegs so assumed it was ok, Darren told me they would scrub in quick, he was right

I could just imagine me at Hampton Downs, riding like a nana getting lapped by everyone and generally getting in the way.

I don't think so...... :facepalm:

[Antonio]

:yes: Many people have said to me to do a burn-out :shutup: I don't know how hahahaha I would think it would be much easier on your bike than mine!
Anyone want to do a burn out on my bike? :shit:


I am more than happy to teach you, pm me if you wanted to learn :)

[hellokitty]

I am more than happy to teach you, pm me if you wanted to learn :)

Probably not the safest idea to teach me to do a burnout!

[Antonio]

Probably not the safest idea to teach me to do a burnout!

Burn out it's easier riding a bike. You ride right?!

[hellokitty]

Burn out it's easier riding a bike. You ride right?!

hahaha thats what the guy said to me when I sat my full license.
He said "well you can obviously ride okay as you managed to get here without killing yourself"

[Antonio]

hahaha thats what the guy said to me when I sat my full license.
He said "well you can obviously ride okay as you managed to get here without killing yourself"

Here you, don't be chicken, you can show off front of your friends too. They will go ; oooooooooo aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa mmmmmmmmmmmm :D

[bsasuper]

Buy a set of continental road attacks, they dont need to be scrubbed in.

[p.dath]

New tyres do need to be 'scrubbed in'. This is to remove the shiney surface of the tyre that will have a fine film of release agent on it.
Tyres are made in moulds and the moulds are coated with a release agent to aid the release of the tyre when 'set' (made).

I have read many times that most manufacturers don't use mould release agents any more (Michellin being the only except - they still do). Instead they use teflon lined molds. Take a look at this thread where someone wrote to the tyre manufacturers and asked them:
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176572

What do you think about this info KG? I value your opinion highly.

[hellokitty]

Here you, don't be chicken, you can show off front of your friends too. They will go ; oooooooooo aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa mmmmmmmmmmmm :D

My friends think I am crazy cos i ride a road bike = I think they are crazy cos they do motox and enduro
I rode at Woodhill and got my ass kicked by a 7 year old :sick:

[p.dath]

I like this comment from Pirelli:


Pirelli does not use mold release. Tires are shiny because the general buying public demands that visually a tire look cool, smooth, shiny, and new when they shop for tires in the rack at the dealer. We rely on the smoothness of the mold to get this appearance and to help the tire let go from the mold during production.

I like to say tires are like new shoes, MX boots, or a leather jacket as they need the proper break in time. Regarding getting heat into tires this follows the same idea, only time and friction will put the heat in. I have attached a copy of the brochure so you can read about break in suggestions in the technical area. Ride safe

[hellokitty]

I have read many times that most manufacturers don't use mould release agents any more (Michellin being the only except - they still do). Instead they use teflon lined molds. Take a look at this thread where someone wrote to the tyre manufacturers and asked them:
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176572

What do you think about this info KG? I value your opinion highly.

Personally I have no idea but I will do as the service guy told me - he also mentioned the mold releasing stuff.
As a fairly inexperienced rider I will err on the side of caution

[Goblin]

After fitting new tyres, I always wipe them down with Brakleen on a lint free cloth. While I still take it easy, I've never had "a moment" since using this method.+1 This method really works.:yes:

[Kiwi Graham]

I have read many times that most manufacturers don't use mould release agents any more (Michellin being the only except - they still do). Instead they use teflon lined molds. Take a look at this thread where someone wrote to the tyre manufacturers and asked them:
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176572

What do you think about this info KG? I value your opinion highly.

Hi Phil,
Good on the guy for actually asking the question.
I'm sure the answers would be correct seeing as there from the manufacturers themselves.

There is no doubt a new tyre does not reach its optimum grip capabilities until it has been 'scrubbed in' regardless of its new condition having a release agent on it or not.

At the track a wipe over with brake cleaner dissolves any agent or 'dulls' the sheen. As has been mentioned earlier a couple of laps at a progressive pace will see the job done.

For the road a simple gentle ride out for a hour or so will see any shine or release agent gone and re tuned you brain to the new uncharacteristic's the new tyres have given your bike.

I love the feeling my bikes have when new tyres are fitted, they seem lighter and seem to take less effort to steer. The confidence a new set of tyres gives you on the track is always appreciated.

[hellokitty]

For the road a simple gentle ride out for a hour or so will see any shine or release agent gone and re tuned you brain to the new uncharacteristic's the new tyres have given your bike.

I love the feeling my bikes have when new tyres are fitted, they seem lighter and seem to take less effort to steer. The confidence a new set of tyres gives you on the track is always appreciated.

I rode back to work - a total of 30 minutes (I think) I had to go through roadworks and it felt like I was riding on marbles! The back end was twitching on the gravel - all good experience though!