PSA: new tires + subfreezing temps = no traction

shift_enter

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New tires have a sealer on them to keep the rubber good and need to be ridden very gently for about 100 miles then they’re considered broken in. by gently I mean very minimal lean angle in the turns keeping the bike upright as much as possible.

motorcycle tires stick to the road, they grab it, and when it’s below freezing the tire’s ability to hold on the road is greatly decreased.
 

Sierra1

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My local dealer won't let people ride away until one of the techs take the bike out and scuff up the new tire a little before they release it to the consumer. Of course if you bring just the tire(s) in, they can't do it.
 

BaldKnob

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and... after a blast down a gravel road (TC off), I like to take a leisurely ride around the lake. It's about 4 miles of curvy pavement at a very casual pace (30-40mph). The left-side of my AltRider crashbars still bear the scar of a new tire lowside. Lesson learned.
 

shift_enter

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My new tire maiden ride takes me first to nearest gravel road ~3 miles away. I flash the TCS light a bit and then test my ABS. Break in scuff gets completed quickly.

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this is brilliant!
and... after a blast down a gravel road (TC off), I like to take a leisurely ride around the lake. It's about 4 miles of curvy pavement at a very casual pace (30-40mph). The left-side of my AltRider crashbars still bear the scar of a new tire lowside. Lesson learned.
yes, I learned a lesson yesterday too- left sided lowside was my first down
 

Dougbug

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100 miles? I guess if you live in Detroit.

I've got enough twisties around me that tires are usually scrubbed in within 25 miles....at the most.
 

fac191

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I think scrubbing in is a thing of the past. Your getting rid of the release agent i believe. Alot of manufacturers make noise about it. So much silica in front tires especiallu.
 

jeckyll

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I think scrubbing in is a thing of the past. Your getting rid of the release agent i believe. Alot of manufacturers make noise about it. So much silica in front tires especiallu.
Yup, the dangerous thing is the lube they use to get the tire on the rim
 

shift_enter

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im wondering if there is a safe way to wash the tires that would help in getting rid of the release agent instead of marring them up with a belt sander or brick.

a gravel road sounds promising to help scrub them in too
 

Boris

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For many years now, after having new tyres fitted to loose wheels, I sand paper the off centre parts of new tyres to rough them up a bit. Easy to do on a just refitted wheel that spins freely.
May, or may not actually help, but I’ve not had any new tyre grip issues.
 

PhilPhilippines

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"I'm no expert but...." the release agent is the problem that affects grip off the shelf. That said, tyres still take a while to "bed in'', ie, the molecular structure is at optimal performance. How long it takes will depend on riding/driving style. Up to 200km, if I remember correctly.
 

Longdog Cymru

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I can’t believe you guys are having so many incidents, low-sides etc, with new tyres. Here in U.K., our climate is cooler and much wetter and yet within 100 miles of a relatively gentle and progressive ride our tyres are just fine. IIRC, Continentals don’t even use release agents or scrubbing in. I have used Bridgestone although I tend to use Michelin’s mostly and even with the ride home being in the rain they have been fine and U.K. roads are certainly not the best!
 
R

RonH

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My sister and her husband recently bought a $120,000 Porsch or however one spells that car which doesn't give me any thrill, but I thought it kind of funny they actually had to sign a legal document that it was not to ever be driven at under 50F temperature because of the type of tires. I guess Porsche tires don't ever scuff in.
 

PhilPhilippines

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My sister and her husband recently bought a $120,000 Porsch or however one spells that car which doesn't give me any thrill, but I thought it kind of funny they actually had to sign a legal document that it was not to ever be driven at under 50F temperature because of the type of tires. I guess Porsche tires don't ever scuff in.
It is due to the slip angle/grip or glass transition range. Under 50 degrees summer tyres are under their working range and some can even crack. It would be similar to Usain Bolt wearing tap shoes on ice.

In the UK, you were only handed the keys to a Lamborghini Diablo once you had satisfied John Lyon, from High Performance Course. John did the same for Caterham with the R500 Jonathan Palmer Edition. As a bike rider, you will know, things can go wrong very quickly in a short period of time.
 
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PhilPhilippines

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The other reason is because the tyres fitted are almost slicks. They don’t like wet weather either.
So true.
Winter tyres are for....
Off road tyres are for...
etc

Tyre manufacturing is an art, from analysing tyres specifically for Schumacher's on-the-nose driving style, to 'designing in'' tyre squeal for a Jaguar XJ at 40mph at specific lateral G to ''encourage'' owners to rein it in...there is not much they don't know. There is a lot they do not pass on to the owner though.
 
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