Okay Dave...sounds like a plan!


And that avatar...make it stop!!! I need to go back to work.

 

My local dealer has a red ink stamp they put on each tyre invoice that recommends "extreme caution, avoid sudden acceleration and braking, or hard cornering for first 100 miles". Why? Because the tyre has a coating of release agent when manufactured, to get it out of the mould. That has to be worn off to get full grip from the tyre.

My brother learned that to his cost, a few years ago. Went whizzing along a favourite road at speed on a set of new tyres he slid off into a ditch, because he didn't take any precautions. Fortunately no serious harm done.

Is it worth scrubbing new tyres before riding on them? Not IMHO. Takes one gentle ride to cover those 100 miles.

 

Been in the tire industry fo almost 40 years, all I can say is ride them like your stole them! Unless the tires are 5 plus years subjected to sunlight or chemicals you won't see one bit of performance difference. IMHO

 

Unless your hotdoggin during turns don't get paranoid about the warning it's cautionary and you'll be fine.

 

While there maybe some substance to these recommendations, I have never felt anything close to a "slick" new tire. Not saying it doesn't or can't happen, just that I have never experienced it.

Think about this... If the tire was slick because of mold release used during manufacture, what happens the first time you really lay it over through a corner. Whether that tire has zero, one, ten, fifty, or two hundred miles on it, the first time you lay it over you will be using a previously unused part of the tire. Seems to me that if it was slick when new, then the 200 mile run-in isn't going to do much good on that "unused" portion of the tire and it will still be slick.

I don't know... just throwing that out for the sake of discussion.

You could always clean the tire with some solvent if there is any question. I have done this in the past.

One thing I will say about new tires, the bike will feel different so it's not a bad idea to "get a feel" for the new handling before going ***** out.

 

I can see your point, but what happens as I understand it is the cycling from getting hot to cold is also is part of the break in process not just riding on a portion of the surface that as been scrubbed.

Another consideration not really applicable to us and I'm not sure if it's valid today but I used ride bikes with what was called "R" compound tires and those tires where slippery as hell until warmed up and the colder it was the longer it took to warm up.

I have felt and seen the effects of new tires before, with my HD I have not had a problem with a new tire, but on high HP bikes I've had new tires break loose easy and when I worked in a dealership I've seen the results of what happens. Customer would usually try to blame us because he couldn't understand how the tire broke loose so easily.

After 36 years I'll still take it easy on a new tire if not just for the sake of making sure everything is right.

 

Be sure to take them on a ride, and get them to heat up to operating temp. Go easy on the curves and sharp turns for a bit.

 

I suggest no solvents on th gripping surface. No armour all, windex, royal purple or anything. Just take it easy until you take several left and right hand turns to scruff them in. If you have little patience a good straightline burnout with a figur 8 mixed in will take care of the scruffing in!! LOL / Ride safe!!

 

Yep, the "Dunlop Rule" for 100 miles is wise, just be careful and enjoy!
After all, you were not planning to run that hard right away, were you?

 

When I suggested solvents, Armour All, or the like, was the furthest thing from my mind.

Solvents in my mind are paint thinner, lacquer thinner, enamel reducer, acetone, alcohol, etc. Any and all of these will disolve any residual mold release compound that might be present on the tire.