| Author | Message | ||
     Thumper2811 |
Do I scuff it up or leave it alone? If I'm to scuff it, how? | ||
| Djkaplan |
Double check the pressure and take it easy for the first miles you put on it. Absolutely take it easy cornering. Some tires need more run-in than others, but there is no set rule for how many miles is the norm for a proper scuffing. A couple of heat cycles probably would be a good thing, too. Basically... just take it easy and slow. I've never scuffed a tire in any other way, but I'm sure there'll be some guys who say to use sandpaper or somesuch idea. | ||
| Midknyte |
Just take it easy for about 100 miles. You've done the most important thing already - being aware & cautious | ||
| Thumper2811 |
Is it a bad thing to use sandpaper to ruffen it up? | ||
| Sparky |
Well, using sandpaper does nothing to help break-in a new tire. When a tire is made, all the components that go into the tire need to acquaint & tighten their chemical bonds with each other so that the tire will work as designed. This process is started during the break-in period when heat cycles work all these rubber/steel/fabric molecules together and outgas the more volatile compounds. This is also when the slippery mold-release agents on the surface of the tread are abraded or evaporated off by riding carefully for the first 50 to 100 miles or so. So, if you are not going to ride the bike, like as if entering a bike show, go ahead and sandpaper it. But if you value your hide & love your bike, don't. | ||
| Thumper2811 |
Hey thanks alot Sparky. Thats the kind of answer I was looking for. When I bought my bike I wasnt aware of that and I went down the first time I rode it. I'm not new to riding just 12000 miles new to sport bikes. | ||
| Al_lighton |
One of our local customers, who is an experienced rider, just dumped his XB12SS at 5mph on a new rear tire gently going around a corner, without even goosing it. I've heard of this happening so times. The mold release, but probably even more, the slippery stuff used in mounting the tire, should be washed off as best as possible, but the real key is getting 50 gently driven miles on the tire on dry pavement. Wet road + New tire is a disaster in the making. | ||
| Gotj |
If we can put a man on the moon, why can't we come up with a way to make new motorcycle tires less hazardous? Even if it something the new owner has to do, it would certainly be less of a chore than picking oneself and bike up off the ground. | ||
| Naustin |
Good things to be reminded of considering I'll be mounting new tires soon - hopefully this weekend... |
