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How to run in new motorbike tyres

motorcycle tyres close up 700px
Motorcycle tyres are complex things of beauty and that’s never truer than when they are brand new.

Arguably, they never look prettier than when they’re shiny and new but the start of a motorbike tyre’s life is also the most treacherous for riders.

Why are tyres tough to handle in the beginning?

Brand new motorbike tyres are usually shiny and glossy. While that makes them look even sweeter than your pair of trusty old rubbers, it makes handling more difficult.

So it’s fair to ask why on earth manufacturers make tyres that are tough to cope with before any wear and tear has taken place.

The reasons for tyres being so slick early on in their career are not entirely to do with looks but rather the manufacturing process.

The manufacturing process

When tyres are being moulded, their surface is coated with a release agent to make sure it comes out of the mould without any issues.

As you’d expect, this release agent is non-stick and while that coating is on the tyres, they can be slippery when used on the road.

Additionally, some chemicals are used during manufacturing to make the tyres smooth and avoid any surface defects.

Again, the result of these chemicals on brand new tyres is a slightly slippery, glossy surface.

motorcycle-wet-tyres-up-close (700px)

That’s why you need to scrub your tyres in

Because of a brand new tyre’s slippery properties, they need to be ‘scrubbed in’ when they are first fitted to your bike.

The best way to get rid of the gloss on new tyres is to heat them up and to do that, they really need to be ridden.

But before you get out on the road on your bike your tyres should, as Bridgestone calls it, be buffed, with a dry cloth.

After you’ve buffed (rubbed with a dry cloth) it’s time to get out on the road and scrub them in.

Riding for the first time on new bike tyres

Tyre manufacturers advise riders to ride cautiously for at least the first 100-125 miles on a new tyre.

This means riders should not accelerate suddenly and harshly, should not apply maximum braking force or corner hard.

Gentle riding for the first 100 to 125 miles allows the rider to get used to the tyres and how they feel, as well as getting rid of the greasy surface chemicals.

After this initial ride, it’s worth checking your tyres for any uneven wear.

wheel-change-by-Repsol-Honda-team-at-a-motogp-round-700px

Don’t be tempted to weave

If you watch any motorbike racing, MotoGP, WorldSBK or whatever, you’ll notice that riders weave quite a lot on their sighting laps.

The reason riders do this is to warm their tyres up and get them up to temperature before they have to accelerate, brake and corner hard.

Obviously, they’re not out there for 100 miles warming their tyres so you might wonder why you have to get through 100+ miles before you should start accelerating hard.

Well first things first, you’re not Valentino Rossi and you’re not as skilled at handling a bike at speed, no matter how good you think you are.

Second, racers will have tyre warmers on for a long time before they get out on track. That means their tyres will be up to temperature before they get on track.

You don’t have that luxury – so I’m afraid it’s 100 or so miles worth of gentle riding for you.

Next page: Motorbike tyres – what you need to know
Comment 6 Like 6
Philip Hampson 2 years ago
It may be the insurance company’s that will have things changed after they have paid out for damages for bikes being replaced or repaired it happen to me after … It may be the insurance company’s that will have things changed after they have paid out for damages for bikes being replaced or repaired it happen to me after 80meters on my brand new bike front wheel lost down I went so find a good barister go to court this will start to have the market d something before we Jo mugs get them ps ride safe
Angela Lamont. 3 years ago
Agree with Phill, with technology as it is now the manufacturer surely has an obligation to make and sell items that are “fit for purpose” Obviously “new” tyres… Agree with Phill, with technology as it is now the manufacturer surely has an obligation to make and sell items that are “fit for purpose” Obviously “new” tyres are not “fit for purpose” until the rider scrubs them in. Why should a rider be put at risk by having to ride with greasy tyres? As for Simon, stupid man, NO rider “deserves” to crash.
Kevin Collins 3 years ago
So sue the manufacturer…. So sue the manufacturer.
Simon 3 years ago
Because they use chemicals to manufacture the tire, which in return releases slippery substances.
You are always suppose to ride easy in the beginning, cold t…
Because they use chemicals to manufacture the tire, which in return releases slippery substances.
You are always suppose to ride easy in the beginning, cold tires or new tires… who ever just jumps on their bike and expects to lean 45% angles with cold tires deserves to crash…
It is really not that hard to wear new tires in gradually, let them heat up, drive straight for a while and don’t pin it after corners or slam on your brakes full on. Quite simple
Phill 3 years ago
So let me get this straight.
Motorcycle tyres are sold to the rider with a slippery surface that makes then far less grippy than standard, so if you were faced…
So let me get this straight.
Motorcycle tyres are sold to the rider with a slippery surface that makes then far less grippy than standard, so if you were faced with a road hazard on your first ride out, and needed to veer suddenly, you could slide off the bike because the rubber was greasy.
Why are the manufacturers getting away with this hazard when they could surely buff the tyres or otherwise remove this grease before sale?
And what would your insurers say to this increased hazard?
Are motorcyclists being treated as fools to be sold tyres with a known safety issue.
“It’s always been this way” is not an answer.
Marc Marquez 5 years ago
Great Advice.

p.s …I’ll pretend I didn’t read part 1 !

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