See http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/discus/messages/2/524.html?FridayAugust2320020937pm -- -- Robbo 1500GL 1988 Goldwing (Rebuild in process) BMW K100 RS 1984 "Fairly Quick" status. Silver level BotaFOF #19. E.O.S.M 2001/2002/2003. B.O.S.M 2003.FURSWB#1 KotL..YTC449 PM#7 ..
Cataractonium wrote in and for a review of the consequences if you do not: http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?h...4.06.02.06.32.51.474544%40hotmail.com&rnum=11
No, it's not it's crap. In fact it's utter crap. Mechanical abrasion is not required, it's not "release agents" or "conserving fluids" that make the tyres slippy. It is that they are not fully cured, for the want of a better description. They need to be heat cycled (that is, used) for the process to be complete. They will be fit for full on lunacy within 75 miles, IME. Ask yourself a few questions: How do race teams go straight from tyre warmers and within a lap or two are posting race times? Why isn't the tyre slippy when you go to the edge that's never seen wear, even after 2000 miles? If it's to clean release agents why can't you buy special cleaners, if its abrasion related why can't you have them pre-scrubbed by a machine? I give my new tyres about 40 miles to warm up and then treat them as 'scrubbed in'. Champ fell of his bike because he'd forgotten about the new tyres within a few yards. This is not advisable.
I'm glad you've bought this up. I've asked myself the same things and from a no-knowledge point of view, these are the conclusions I came to: Because they are pre-scrubbed? I don't know about you, but I've had a few scary moments on tyre edges that were "new". So new in fact, they were brown. What are those little bobbles you get when you're starting to use a new tyre to the edges then? Sometimes they look like small black bogies, and at other times they can look almost ribbon like in their appearance. Also, although I've never seen one, I'm sure there must be a scrubbing machine out there; a sort of miniature rolling road with a variable axle. I've done that and slid a bit. I tend to go round roundabouts gingerly until all those bogies I said about have gone off. There's always that.
The only time I've had anything that sounds vaguely like this was after doing a track day. I don't know about your tyres, but mine come from the shop with the mould 'spikes' on them, those wear off and then the tyre is smooth. When it wears, you get the darker rubber, which is roughed up (makes sense - it's in contact with the road) but I can't say I've ever seen any 'bogies'..
That makes me sound like a riding god. Cool! I get those spikes as well and don't consider a tyre fully worn in until they're gone. I'll send you some if you like
Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Whinging Courier Nah, it's just your tyres getting fucked up by the crappy surface on the hard shoulder.
Actually, that happened to me last Tuesday. The tube strike was on and I had to be in the Medway towns for 6.30pm. I left at 4 but the traffic was hard shoulder inducing and onto the rough stuff I went. Quite some speed and a couple of miles later I'm thinking "this bike's bloody hard to steer".... Yes, a big 'ole in the front tyre. One can of foamy shit and an emergency plug later the thing still wasn't staying up so now I've got a bit of what I can only describe as a dog bone shaped bit of rubber and some liquid blue shit in it that someone gave me.
Why is it that tyre manufacturers don't produce a "ready for the road" product? It oughtn't to be difficult, or especially expensive, to stick the tyres through a suitable oven. They'd still need to be warmed up for maximum grip, but wouldn't need to be scrubbed in.
It's not you know. The question should be "Why should you take it easy for x miles on new tyres?", as "scrubbing in" is a very misleading term. There are 3 reasons for doing this: 1. To fully seat the bead. This is not achieved by fitting the tyre, & giving it some beans or heavy braking can rotate the tyre on the rim, putting it out of balance. 2. To allow the various components of the tyre to bed-in against each other. A bit of gentle riding is needed to let the layers settle. 3. To 'scuff' the surface. This is nothing to do with release agents, which are generally only used on certain compounds of race tyre. The moulds used to form tyres are extremely smooth so that release agents aren't required. The downside of this is the tyre's surface is also very smooth when it comes out, which will not give optimum grip. A rider who knows what they're doing can complete the scuffing process within a few miles. However the first 2 points can take up to 100 miles to achieve.
well, it doesn't really read that way - he appeared to be talking about manufacturers producing the tyre ready for use - not the fitters baking them.
well, I like your "bake 'em in the shop" idea, I really do - probably couldn't microwave them, as they've got metal bands in them, but some sort of giant waffle iron might do the trick.
