New tire break-in period

AV8R

AV8R

Joined
May 19, 2018
Messages
1,120
Location
Southern California
Bike
2005 ST1300 PA
So i just put on a new Bridgestone double compound tire (harder in the center, sticker on the sides). My question is around the burnishing or wearing off the oily outter protection coating:

im told it takes 100 miles of easy going, especially on turns and slippery surfaces before the tire is properly broken in. Is this fact/fiction or dependent upon temperature and surface?

And, is there a way to accelerate this 100 mile (or whatever it is) safety zone?
 
Most new tires are slippery for the first 50-100 miles due to a product that was sprayed in the mold to allow the tire to be released when made.
Some folks take a scotch bright pad and denatured alcohol or brake cleaner and scrub the tires until they no longer squeak before they ride them.
I just take it easy for the first 100 miles or so.
You'll know when you are there, as they will start to feel better and better.
Ride safe and enjoy your new tires.
 
AV8R said:
And, is there a way to accelerate this 100 mile (or whatever it is) safety zone?
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If its a rear tire put the bike on the centerstand. Start the engine and drop it into 1st gear, apply sandpaper or other abrasive to the tire as it rotates until the glossy finish is no longer glossy.
 
Run-in

Use care when riding on new tires. We Recommend that you ride slowly and carefully for the first 60 miles (~100Km) until you become accustomed to the performance of your new tires in conjunction with your motorcycle. We recommend avoiding extreme maneuvers, including sudden acceleration, maximum braking and hard cornering, until you have become accustomed to the performance of your tires in conjunction with your motorcycle.
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This quote comes directly from Bridgestone motorcycle tires website.
 
Driving in LA is extreme maneuvering by fiat.

Thanks for the proper quote. Guess I’ll tool around today before my motorcade ride tomorrow.
 
Just find an empty parking lot and do a bunch of figure eights and circles that should help...just be careful doing them :rolleyes:
 
I have found that the moulding 'spikes' have been more of a problem than the release agent on the surface. They act like roller bearings as you lean over and can take quite a long time to wear away. The last tyre I had had very long spikes - so I got a pair of scissors and cut them off.

Some of our roundabouts have a ShellTex high grip surface around the island and on the exits. I use these to lean over with confidence to help remove the surface glaze, and on quiet straight roads I will weave to help prepare the tyres for the next series of bends.

But only if it is dry.
 
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I rode 100 mile round trip to the beach and back. I except for the chicken strip bands, it should be fully operational
 
No matter how many miles since the tire change, one should also be cautious in fully leaning it over in a corner (pegs dragging) the first couple times. It is advisable to gradually work into the sides of the tire, leaning a bit more in successive passes, rather than just going hot into a corner, leaning hard, and needing the virgin sides of the tire to grip well.
 
Agreed. I do the weave thing when alone on a road at about 20-30 mph. I use the passing paint marks as “cones”.
 
I can't see the point of scrubbing any rubber off in the garage when you could do it riding! Most tires I fit seem to take 50 miles or less to come in. I suspect this partly the tire itself and partly my adaptation to the feel of a new or different tire.
 
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