Slippery new tyres.

**chester** · 10th December 2007, 21:09

I am a new rider and have put a new front tyre on, the guy in the shop told me to spray it with brake clean and/or use sand paper to ruff it up and also take it easy for approx 100 ks,Ive done this and it seems fine....

**Delphinus** · 10th December 2007, 21:19

I notice when new tyres are on and I have been riding on them a bit there is a clear line where the silicon is still there on the edges vs in the middle where it has been scrubbed off. Are you saying even if most of this visible silicon has been worn off (doable in 20kms of road) there is still invisible slippery stuff there?

**imdying** · 11th December 2007, 07:40

Originally Posted by discotex

Best bet is to just take it easy to begin with. I find big snaking curves down the road are a good way to get a nice clear strip in the middle then I slowly increase the cornering lean angles over the next 50km.

That's what I do... leave the shop, head up Dyers Pass road, and back again. Job done. Just don't ride like a twat and you're fine... sure it is more slippery than a worn in tyre, but it's not like it's the devil just waiting to pounce and throw you off or anything.

**delusionz** · 19th December 2007, 02:25

mmm... I wouldn't mind something better than these stock dunlops for my GPX250, it's still a little slippery even after 1900 kms

**Monsterbishi** · 19th December 2007, 07:36

In your instance I doubt very much it's the tyre that's the problem, motorcycle tyres usually get progressively softer/grippier as they wear down, after that many k's you shouldn't be having any grief whatsoever, unless you've got the wrong size tyre on the rim.

**jrandom** · 19th December 2007, 07:43

Originally Posted by delusionz

dunlops... slippery

Well. duh.

Just throw them away and get some proper tyres.

**Monsterbishi** · 19th December 2007, 07:47

Nothing wrong with Dunlop rubber, keeps my 120hp stuck to the ground just fine in most situations, he certainly shouldn't be having stickage issues with the 30hp that his gpx would be making...

**jrandom** · 19th December 2007, 07:47

Originally Posted by Monsterbishi

Nothing wrong with Dunlop rubber, keeps my 120hp stuck to the ground just fine in most situations...

Which Dunlop tyres are you using?

Edit: And, 120hp from a '93 (sorry, '94) YZF750R? Does it have special cams and valves made from magic pixie dust?

**scumdog** · 19th December 2007, 07:55

I just give 'em a wipe-down with a rag damp with paint thinners - get all the 'shit' off the tyre and evaporates quickly.

Works for me.

**Monsterbishi** · 19th December 2007, 07:56

Dunlop Sportmax D218, they're nice and cheap at the mo, last one that I put on the other week cost me $300, including bike pickup and fitting (Yay for cycletreads chch - 15 years of my custom so far)

They last a good 5000k's if you baby them, got 3000k's out of my last one!

Edit: Just quoting the ever optimistic factory brochure for power, I've seen them claim from 108-125hp, and it gets my 115kg frame past 270kph, so it's got to have some sorta of durka-durka going on under the fueltank.

**jrandom** · 19th December 2007, 07:59

Originally Posted by Monsterbishi

Dunlop Sportmax D218...

I had those on the Snail a while back. I was not a fan. Very squiggly-feeling.

Originally Posted by Monsterbishi

nice and cheap at the mo, last one that I put on the other week cost me $300... They last a good 5000k's if you baby them, got 3000k's out of my last one!

You, sir, really need to try a set of Metzeler Sportec M3s before you comment any further.

**jrandom** · 19th December 2007, 08:00

Originally Posted by Monsterbishi

Edit: Just quoting the ever optimistic factory brochure for power, I've seen them claim from 108-125hp

105 on a particularly good day.

Pop your bike on a dyno sometime.

Originally Posted by Monsterbishi

it gets my 115kg frame past 270kph...

'Indicated'.

**Waxxa** · 19th December 2007, 08:05

As Discotex says the important thing with new tyres is to get the heat cycle into the tyres. Even a half hour ride will do this with further caution for another 100kms or so to wear the walls of the tyre. What ever you do, buy the best rubber you can afford and a tyre for the type of riding you do i.e commuter, weekend warrior, type of bike, size of rims, your weight, do you carry a pillion etc. Be specific with your dealer!
I'm trying the Continental Sport Attacks (from dirty Dunlops), put them on last week and when I left the shop I was amazed at the difference of the handling in the bike. It was like a steering damper went on and cranked up hard, incredible!