Triumphrat

Old Scratcher · 10-31-2007

I copped a lot of flak when I floated this idea in an Aussie bike mag (AMCN). So I'll be interested to see if I get as mauled here.
A long time bug-bear of mine, is the slippery release compound that tyre companies leave on their new tyres. This wears off within the first 100klms or so, but until then can be quite a handful (especially on a wet rd.). Now I know there are plenty of ways to remove this gunk e.g. lightly sandpaper, trim off excess rubber nipples, & my favourite, go for a careful ride. But my point is that the tyre companies have a duty-of-care to provide a safe & roadworthy product, from the moment it's fitted to your bike. Not 100 (potentially dangerous) klms down the road. The tyre companies know that this stuff can cause problems, as all tyre fitters over here, deliver the same "take it easy" speech to people picking their bikes up. They think that it's covering their butts from being sued. But I see it as an admission of guilt, because they know that they're giving you an unsafe product to ride on.
I was accused of being a wimp & woose for raising this issue in the bike press, with one over-zealous bike-journo suggesting that maybe I didn't really have the kahuna's to ride a motorcycle. So can we please keep the debate above that standard, & confine our arguments to the ones I'm actually whinging about (which no one at the bike mag did). So what do you think? Should you be able to give your new tyres a decent handful of throttle, without ending up in the weeds?

kludge · 10-31-2007

Ozone will start attacking your tire right from the moment it's molded, reducing it's ability to grip the road. I'd rather have my tires in the best possible shape when they're fitted to my bike. I know the throttle twists both ways and in 30 years of riding I've never slid off a bike because of the mold release agent on a new tire. Never even had a new tire step out on me. Sure, if they could make a release agent that wasn't slippery I'd pay a little extra for it.

Old Scratcher · 10-31-2007

I've heard that the gunk helps preserve the tyres in storage, & I've no problem with that. My gripe is that it could be cleaned off at the point of sale, with an apropriate cleaner, & we'd all be a lot safer.
FTR I've never crashed a bike on new tyres either, though I've a had a few hairy moments on wet roads. But the point is that people do, otherwise tyre fitters wouldn't parrot that lame disclaimer. & it's only because we don't complain more about it, that the tyre companies don't lift their game. They'd never get away with it, if this was an issue with car tyres.

TB-T100 · 10-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scratcher

...it could be cleaned off at the point of sale, with an apropriate cleaner, & we'd all be a lot safer.

+1 for that!

Tbirdnz · 10-31-2007

I would agree with that OS, for the very first time I noticed just yesterday when I had two new Metzlers fitted to my TB that upon leaving the tyre shop I felt if I was riding on ice, the feeling didn't leave even when I got home about 40km away. I've never experienced that before and I'm using exactly the same type of tyres that were replaced.

It was a really odd feeling that I even thought that the pressures were wrong, however, as yet I haven't yet checked them but will do so before I ride it again.

I also had to get a new front one for my CB today, needed to pass the WOF, (Govt test) and that had a perfect feel (Michelin Pilot Road). If anything I should have experienced some difference as my rear tyre, same make has only about another 2000km left on it. (Yes I know you should change them as a pair but they are bloody expensive and my rear tyres wear faster than the front.)

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Ride on !

peterk · 10-31-2007

Hey Scratcher read your letter in AMCN and at the time thought what a good idea. I hate riding on new rubber! I got a new front and new brake pads last Fri. As i left the shop the skies opened up with lots of lightning and thunder thrown in, i was not having a fun arvo!!! Home after an hours very wet and slipery ride and very relieved i gotta tell you...

mecscc · 10-31-2007

Off topic too: I also never change my tires in pairs, getting about 1/2 again more mileage on the front.

On topic: I agree that it would be nice if the tires were ready to ride. But knowing that they are not I take it easy for the first 100 miles and deliberately be sure to ride the tires on the sides as well as in a straight line, otherwise you are in for a bit of pucker factor when you take that first curve at speed. After 54 years of this riding stuff I guess I've been sufficiently brain washed that I don't protest, or even think about it much. Its just something I know I have to do - like going to the dentist...........

Monte

Old Scratcher · 10-31-2007

I've got a road that I call my tyre bedding ride. It's about 50klms long, with lots of long straights & sweeping bends, ending with some tight curves. I take it real easy on the way out, making sure to fully lean into the tight stuff, to clean the sides of the tyres. I ride back with increasing speed, as feel & confidence return. I think every experienced biker has some kind of remedy to overcome this potential problem. & that speaks volumes about our ingenuity & will to survive. My point is, we shouldn't have to. If we've just paid a lot of money to put new tyres on our bikes, we should expect an immediate improvement in the bike's performance (& safety). Not a disclaimer to take it easy.

bendavanza · 10-31-2007

I agree that tyre manufacturers should have a recommended cleaner for the tires for when they are mounted. Also be aware that the shop will use liberal amounts of goo to get the rubber on the bead. This can fling off and make your tire slippery too. I think mounted tires should be scrubbed with detergent and rinsed well before being installed on bikes.
losing traction when you only have 2 tires is bad

uzidzit · 10-31-2007

Sorry guys but I worked for a tire company( Mc Creary) we made speciality tires. (read performance here, no bike tires though) no cleaner will remove that stuff only abrasion, It was in our case a 3m product, silicone mold release #77. It is so tough and lasts so well that it was only applied to the mold once every 100 tires or so. But there is another reason to take it easy for just a little while. You have to give the tire a few heating cycles for the bead to seat and stabilize on the rim. Sorry no good short cut here alight sanding is probably as good as it would get. but youstill have not stabilized the bead.

that same 3m product is the best rubber blackener an preserver you can find, just wear rubber gloves using it you cannot get it off your skin with any soap! it just smiles and laughs at go-joe with pumice.