New tyres tomorrow

**slofox** · 8th February 2009, 21:46

Yep. New set of PR2's go on in the morning....

How many k's to scrub 'em in ya reckon?

Any treatments anyone does? - one reads all sorts of things like snipping off the little hairy bits, washing them to remove "release agents" etc etc. I have always just jumped on and ridden on them..but then what the hell would an old grampa man like me know? After all, once ya pass 25 ya know nothing right?

Any serious advice would be welcome. Ta.

**hospitalfood** · 8th February 2009, 21:52

i just ride them in, heat is what they need. braking in a straight line will warm them up.
gently take them lower and lower in the corners. take it easy for the first 80 k's but not to easy.
i am no expert but what i do seems to work fine.

**Hitcher** · 8th February 2009, 21:53

80-100km on a good dry twisty road is generally plenty of riding to scrub in tyres.

**slofox** · 8th February 2009, 22:00

Thanks guys......

**jrandom** · 8th February 2009, 22:08

Originally Posted by slofox

Yep. New set of PR2's go on in the morning....

How many k's to scrub 'em in ya reckon?

Dunno about PR2s, but Pilot Power 2CTs scrub in real good within 3.5km.

**Shadows** · 8th February 2009, 22:46

A mechanic recommended brake cleaner to me to get rid of the silicon. Never tried it myself but I expect it would be pretty hard on the rubber.

**discotex** · 9th February 2009, 07:42

I've always figured if you can make it down the ramp at Cycletreads with fresh tyres without crashing you actually have a reasonable amount of grip.

Not edge to edge/wide open throttle/stoppie level grip but more than you think.

**vifferman** · 9th February 2009, 07:49

Originally Posted by Shadows

A mechanic recommended brake cleaner to me to get rid of the silicon. Never tried it myself but I expect it would be pretty hard on the rubber.

Nah - it's now mostly just drycleaning fluid, so it's pretty innocuous.
Dunno 'bout PR2s, but many tyre manufacturers (Avon, f'rexample) now don't use silicon as a mould-releasing agent, so you don't need to worry about it.
Just ride it, gradually increasing lean angle. My last set of new tyres, I went for a ride round some quiet local streets, doing figure-eights to wear 'em in.

**Mully** · 9th February 2009, 08:27

Gravel road for a couple of KM.

Scares you shitless, but scrubs the boots in nicely.

**slofox** · 9th February 2009, 11:05

All done. Tyres on and I didn't fall off at the first roundabout...I notice that Boyd's did stick a bigarse sticker on the steering head saying "CAUTION: NEW TYRES!!!!!!!" ...like I would forget why I had just been in the shop.....actually, at my age that's not such a stupid idea...

To be honest they felt safe as, on the pootle home.....and WHAT a difference from those that came off. So much smoother all round but especially on the transitions from side to side...just rolls smoothly from one side to t'other...I hadn't even noticed how the old set had changed.

On the way home I tried a bit of straight line braking...(which could be why everyone was looking at me funny I guess). Seemed to be plenty grip there - didn't manage to lock up and certainly no slip from 100k...

**Colapop** · 9th February 2009, 11:35

I've done approx. 16k on my PR2's so far. They're about due to be replaced - starting to go off a bit but no bad wear. They've been a bloody good tyre - I've done a lot of commuting and touring on them (no track days) and considering the RF is a pretty heavy bike, they've done very well.

How did you get yours for SF?

**slofox** · 9th February 2009, 11:38

Originally Posted by *Col*

I've done approx. 16k on my PR2's so far. They're about due to be replaced - starting to go off a bit but no bad wear. They've been a bloody good tyre - I've done a lot of commuting and touring on them (no track days) and considering the RF is a pretty heavy bike, they've done very well.

How did you get yours for SF?

$465 the pair, fitted and balanced....120/60 front 160/60 rear. From Boyds

**Maha** · 9th February 2009, 11:46

Originally Posted by slofox

$465 the pair, fitted and balanced....120/60 front 160/60 rear. From Boyds

I just love the PR2's, instantly notice the change (for the better) and ya know that you have made the right choice for kind of riding that you do.

**Quasievil** · 9th February 2009, 11:46

Stroudy uses brake Cleaner on his tyres to get the silicon off etc, however for road use I wouldnt bother with that kinda thing, just take it easy for 50 kms or so, then you will be sweet