Im not too proud to ask for advice.

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:46 pm

As the title suggests I am after some advice on scrubbing in new tyres, it will be the first new rear on anything bigger than a RD 125 LC. I know the principle behind allowing the release agent to warm and evaporate but any tips with the VTR to speed the process.
Problem is its going to be a cold couple of days over the weekend and I have new front and rears. I am not by any means Agostini and do not want to come a cropper on a bike that is now,in my eyes so close to Storm Nirvana (thanks in advance Kitch for belly Pan

)
Cheers for any info, and

to pre-empt any piss taking b**ts

fishface · Post by **fishface** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:54 pm

take it easy for the first few outings easy on the throttle when not at right angles to the tarmac

Post by **sirch345** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:15 pm

I usually give the outer parts of the tyre tread a rub with some sand paper or something similar. I think I used part of an old sanding belt last time. I don't do the center of the tyre tread just the outer parts, they're the bits that are in contact (hopefully

) with the tarmac when banking over and are more likely to slip than when the bike is more upright. All I do is just remove the shine (releasing agent) on the tread no more

Chris.

lee67 · Post by **lee67** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:19 pm

one good run and no worries, ive never had a new tyre/s let go......and i tend to go thru 4 sets a year

dont be put off by the cold temps, just get out and ride

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:33 pm

lee67 wrote:one good run and no worries, ive never had a new tyre/s let go......and i tend to go thru 4 sets a year dont be put off by the cold temps, just get out and ride

Thanks Lee, thats what I wanted to hear

.

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:35 pm

Thanks to all for the advice, basically just dont ride like a t**t and all should be ok.

Squiffythewombat · Post by **Squiffythewombat** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:19 pm

As Chris said, a light sand around the edges of the tyre will help alot. Take it easy and each time you stop inspect your tyre to see where the wear marks are.

Remmber new tyres tend to be quite greasey so watch your lean angles for the first few miles...otherwise be gentle and provided your riding relatively quickly 50miles should have them scrubbed (depending on brand/conditions etc etc)

Enjoy!

LotusSevenMan · Post by **LotusSevenMan** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:48 pm

I agree with Chris Sirch re sandpaper etc.
You say new tyres. New front too? I had a front tyre 'allow me' to be chucked off when it had about twenty five miles on it way back in the mists of time on a straight road when braking from about twenty miles an hour. After recovery of me and bike (grrrrrrr) I felt the tyre and it was really quite slick/skiddy so be careful. I did check the road for diesel (I needed a decent excuse now didn't I?) but found nowt worse than usual. That same tyre after a quick rub over with sandpaper was fantastic and gave me no more worries so.................!!"!

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:29 pm

Well thought I would follow up post first run. Approx 105 miles.
I neednt have worried, now I am not sure wether or not it is the manufacturer but these tyres felt fantastic from word go, quicker turn in (expected I suppose with new profile), very sure footed and gave no cause for concern. I didnt go silly and gradually quickened up as the miles past by. They inspired great confidence, so I cant wait for a day that climbs above 3 degrees so I can really chuck it about and still be able to feel my fingers. Thumbs up for Bridgestone 021's from me.

LotusSevenMan · Post by **LotusSevenMan** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:05 pm

Ah yes. Soft 021's. One hundred and five miles? Great. You now have about four hundred and ninety five before they 'go off' ha ha

Only joking.
Good tyres.
Looking forward to getting mine back on the road soon when I can afford the tax and insurance again (although been out today on the Royal Enfield!)

Squiffythewombat · Post by **Squiffythewombat** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:22 pm

LotusSevenMan wrote:Ah yes. Soft 021's. One hundred and five miles? Great. You now have about four hundred and ninety five before they 'go off' ha ha

LOL! you beat me to it LSM! Saying that im trying metzelers now, should be ..er...intresting!

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:53 pm

Squiffythewombat wrote:
LotusSevenMan wrote:Ah yes. Soft 021's. One hundred and five miles? Great. You now have about four hundred and ninety five before they 'go off' ha ha

LOL! you beat me to it LSM! Saying that im trying metzelers now, should be ..er...intresting!

Err...... Now, this isnt my first bike, or the first set of tyres I have ridden on, I was only after advice! I thought I might give some feed back in case someone was thinking of trying the 021's. They are alledgedly harder than the 014's so I stupidly thought a post as a comparison would be appreciated, maybe not.......

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:50 am

Timbo wrote:
Beamish wrote: They are alledgedly harder than the 014's so I stupidly thought a post as a comparison would be appreciated, maybe not.......
Some of us do mate I am going to be swapping my tyres early this season and havent got a clue what to buy so any experiences are useful to me.

Thanks Timbo, once I ve put down a few more miles and a had a warmish day when I can get them up to temp I will have a better idea. The 014's were in my opinion perfect in summer so these have a lot to live up to.

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:18 pm

FirestormMike wrote:I ran 014's and switched to 021's
I didn't have the confidence in them at first, they really did feel different. But now I'm used to them I definately did the right thing. hardly a sign of wear after 2000 miles and I can go just as quick on tham as the old ones. Not tried them on a hot summers day yet, but I think they will be spot on.
In my opinion, they are way better in the wet than the 014's too.

Out today on the twisties with a mixed bag of wet/dry/muddy/salty roads they felt great. I had one scary moment when the bike slid out about 8 iinches mid bend,not really the tyres fault because 2 seconds later my mate was clinging on to his Pan Euro in an right mess

The post ride chat over a brew was something like.................. ****ing hell how slippy was that bend!

tiggerii · Post by **tiggerii** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:32 pm

I switched my BT014's for BT021's this weekend and having scrubbed them in I'm struggling to tell the difference in terms of handling so I'm now spending my future tyre savings on a suspension upgrade!