New tires! I'm not exactly new to motorcycles, 34 years of riding now that I count them. Starting out on a honda 50, the big tall ones with the plastic leg shields, a '66 Honda150 dream, a BSA 441 victor, Kawi 400 tripple, Cb125, 80's CB750 modified to cafe, Triumph 750's and a few other's thrown in. My "new" 84 750 intercepter basketcase is now ready for the road. I went to my local shop and had them mount and balance a set of appropriate new tires, a birthday present from my wife. The lady at the shop tells me as I'm leaving: " these are sport bike tires, a bit slick until you get them worn in, be careful". Yup - in one ear and out the other. I've put on lots of new tires, never dropped a bike in my life..... Sunday morning, sunny, dry, and a great day to test run the bike. Finally have the last gremlins chased out of the carbs, running good. Left turn out of my driveway, three quarters of the way through the turn, roll on a bit of throttle. Wham - just like hitting ice, on my side and pointed in the wrong direction. Perfectly symetrical arc's inscibed on the street - gouges from the end of the handlebar and clutch lever, another one from the timing case, a smear of leather from my boot, and a couple black rubber ones to match! The denim and blood barely showed up at all. I will walk properly again I expect. My ego took a real sh*t kicking. Less damage to the bike. Now that I've talked to some more expirienced "sport" bike riders I more fully understand the issue. The stickier the rubber they use in the tires, the more silicone they use as a release agent to keep them from sticking to the mold when they make them. The best I've been able to glean from them is to take some sandpaper to them, 80 grit or similar, to get rid of the slick stuff before you ride. I am humbled, and I hope this little tale will help warn other riders that like me were not aware. Steve
the problem was probably not release agent, unless the tires you were sold are more than 10 years old. read on How To Properly Warm Up Your Tires - Sport Rider Magazine
Thanks for the link betarace. It's a good article, but it seems to be in contradiction with what I am being told by friends that are tire experts - I live next door to a Michelin Plant. They tell me that the stickier the rubber is in a tire, the more release agent is required to mold the tire when they make it. I know tire manufacturing is a highly competative industry and processes differ between manufacturers, perhaps Pirelli has some better processes. What I can see with my own eyes is that there is "something" really slippery on the unworn surfaces of my tires and I will scuff it off with a piece of 80 grit sandpaper before I leave my driveway again. BTW- my tires are neither Pirelli nor Michelins, they are a Taiwainese Bridgestone knock off. Cheers Steve
I think therein lies the differences. I run Pirelli's on both my bikes and found the article to be consistent with my experience
I expect you are correct. There seems to me a limited selection of available tires in getting a matched set of 16" / 18" tires, and in restoring this bike I had some financial limitations as well. When I am sure that I am going to keep the bike I will attempt to upgrade to a better brand.
