Ghost says "Let's learn about tires"

Ghost says “Lets learn about tires!”

(ok, so this isnt a new subject, but I was asked to post a thread for this.)
Motorcycle tires are more or less similar to your standard automotive tire, with one major exception. Heat.

For a standard automobile, you have the luxury of more than one tire to rely on. IF perhaps you have a flat, and your doughnut is also, of the same fate, you “could” sacrifice your newly flat tire, and run the rubber and rims for another mile or so till you can get the car to a station to change it properly… or you could attempt a road side patch.

What makes a Motorcycle tire unique than say a normal Automotive tire Ghost?

Well, I like to spout on and on, but lets just take the manufactures word on this.

Quote:

This is an excerpt with regard to the intricate method of tire structure, to be able to constantly move and support the weight of the bike, as the weight moves and changes its position. If you puncture a weak tire on the side wall, never fear, they are not like traditional tires, and you CAN patch them. Tire beads and hardened or higher durometer rubber strips inside the tire act as a support structure to shift the load. Fortunately, this also serves to isolate areas that are weak, and lend to assist us to patch them, and continue on our way.

What are some issues with patching?

For motorcycles though, there is a problem. Tire manufacturers know that heat plays a large part into motorcycle tires. Hence, a motorcycle tire is made from a more dense rubber. Additionally, the inside of the tire can be made with one of the two additives listed below.

1. Anti-deflate compressed synthetic silicone spray.

2. Anti-oxidant oil.

OMG Ghost you are a nut case… WTF does this load of BS mean? Well, its really not as complicated as is sounds. ADCSS, or item one, is simply a very sticky silicone spray that some manufacturers will apply to the inside of a tire, AFTER it is manufactured. You can also purchase this spray from some local tire dealers, and or have them put it in for you… though, let me just add, this is rather costly. Depends on what is most important to you.

ADCSS is a preventative measure. If a motorcycle tire runs over spikes, or a nail, or series of nails, or even barb wire, the pressure of the air, forces the sticky substance into the hole, and out some. The material will then harden with the UV within a few mins, and thus make its own plug. Your tire will very slowly loose pressure, and I mean very slowly, and subsequently the rider will notice, find the problem and replace the tire at their leisure.

AOO is not the same, it is a method to ensure material structure and integrity. Applying a patch to this type of tire is near impossible, plugs work, but not well for a motorcycle. The heat expansion of the rubber makes this difficult. I believe in 1988, Firestone was the first production producer to move away from oil impregnated rubber tires for motorcycles. I only mention this for people who may have older bikes and tires from this era. Please have them checked for oil on the inside, and replace them as soon as you have the ability to do so.

How does Heat affect a punctured tire?
Due to the reasons of the heat, I do not recommend using a plug or patch. The glues tend to slip from the constant rotation of force pressure from the road pushing back onto the tire, and the constant readjusting the rubber does to disperse the weight load… sort of like if you get a cut on your arm, and you are pressing on the skin near the cut, and constantly pulling and pushing your skin around the area where the damage is… its very hard to heal and or keep a band-aid on it.

Now, what works best for patching an emergency flat?

Internal sealants which also expand with heat are your number one choice. .J.’s suggestions are perfection. He gets a gold star.

Here is a link to the product Ghost keeps under his seat.

SLIME ME!!!

Realistically, prevention and preparedness is key. Be ready for your flat. Cause you don’t have a spare. (in case you didn’t know). You are at the mercy of others if you are walking. Ghost recommends to not scoff at the pre-ride checklist. Check your tires before every ride. You may think this isn’t important, but you could have gotten 3 nails on that 5 min ride to the quick stop gas station. And remember, if you choose to ride the flat, handling and steering are very difficult with flat tires.

Love your Slime. Check your tires often.
Ghost out.

 

A recent issue of Sport Rider has an *excellent* (but short) article on tires, with an interview of the manager for the Pirelli Global motorcycle tire program.

This guy has been in motorcycle tire design for like 20+ years.

Some myths/facts that he pointed out:

1) Mold release is no longer used by any major manufacturer. This stopped years ago. Today, they only use mold release on the SIDEWALL to ensure that all the little numbers, text, and company logo come out flawless.

2) "scrubbing" in tires is a myth and completely useless. There is NO coating on the tire surface that needs to be "scrubbed" or worn off at all. New tire break-in is ALL about tempartures. That little wiggle you see riders do leaving the paddock, or heading out to the twisties is 110% useless and gives false confidence. It does almost nothing to help prepare the tire to grip.

3) New tire break-in is all about temps. A new tire should be at 165F for at least 10 minutes before you push it, and it should be at that temp for an hour before you really trust it. If using a tire warmer, he recommends one hour at 165F before you hit the track. If not, he recommends about 10 laps of a 2 mile circuit before you can trust the tires. On the street, figure about 20 minutes of hard riding. The ENTIRE purpose of this as new tire break-in, is to get the carcass warm enough that the oils and chemicals in the rubber leech out completely.

4) If you are interested in warming up a non new tire for spirited riding, the same basic rules as #3 apply, but in this case its about getting the tire carcass to the right elasticity, not about getting chemicals out of the rubber.

5) The best way to break in or warm up a tire is as follows: Hard acceleration and braking in a straight line, with the bike NOT leaned over. He said that this should get the maximum amount of heat into the tire with the shortest possible effort (and its probably safest too).

 

great info in both posts!

 

I use about 1 - 2 mile lap around the track and call it good....An hour at 165 ? come one, maybe if your Pro-racer, Otherwise you would have to spend have your track day just warming up your tires.