Scrubbing in tyres

Well I have decided to keep Cat a bit longer after considering selling it / trading it in and she is currently having a few bits done to her by a mate that has too much time on his hands and owes me a favour, including new speedo cable, tyres, some new pro bolt fairing bolts in blue, tidy up of the swinging arm and a general deep cleanse, service and some of the black plastics etc painted.

Question is as per the topic title as I have never had new tyres on a bike, having traded bikes in a bit sharpish up until now. When I pick the bike up I have a 100 mile plus ride to get her to the new house and I would rather bring it down the interesting roads but dont know if this is wise on new tyres and whether I would be best bringing it straight down the M74.

When scrubbing in tyres whats the difference in grip - would I only notice the difference if I pressed on a bit or will it be pretty obvious on any twisty run ?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Evening,

I was in a similar boat at the start of the year with regards to new tyres, i'd never had a new set.

I found that the tyres gripped but that they were also slippy, they have a thin layer , kind of covering that needs to be 'scrubbed' off, its this that i found caused the lack of grip.

I just did gentle riding not really pushing it at all for around 100 miles , slowly increasing my lean angle. As the miles wore on I just felt for the grip and feel of the trye.

So would say take it very tidy at the start, I think Rosco, went against this rule once and paid for it lol if you can find some shellgrip that helps scrub the hoops in quicker than normal tarmac, I was also told that some weaving helps too.

I am sure others have differing ways and advice, but this stuff worked well for me

Dave

Don't put a brand new rear tyre on get to the bottom of the drive and engage auto pilot. I ended on my arse in the middle of the road.

Just take it easy to start with and build up lean angles slowly.

i had to have both front & back tyre,s changed to pass the mot
took it easy for the 1st 100 miles slowly building up the lean angle & yes did some of the weaving on the motorway its the releasing agent they use on the tyre,s when thats scrubbed off always well just take it easy for the 1st 100
pete

Had my new ones fitted and went straight into a 60 mile jaunt unfortunately all motorway and in the wet so no heroics there.

Hoping to get out and get em scrubbed in this weekend weather prevailing as I'm off to Assen next weekend so would appreciate the tyres being ready to go

OK cheers guys, looks like it will be a trip down the motorway then to get them scrubbed in followed by a couple of non heroic runs to gradually get a bit of wear and grip. Good excuse to get out and about on it over next few weeks mind

People make far too big a deal about scrubbing in new tyres imo.
Just dont go barreling into corners flat out and you will be fine.

Turning onto a road with too much throttle or lean with brand new rubber is the classic way to bin it ( especially in wet) but on the open road, gradually increase the lean angles and feel for the grip. It doesnt take long to get the tyre scrubbed in, certainly not 100miles at any rate.

Just get the tyre warm, and feel for the grip, wait for it to slip, back off a touch, then over more, again an again until you can lean over fully.

You can scrub a new tyre in within 20miles for sure.

Or, you could cheat. put bike up on stand, put bike in gear and fire her up. "Scrub" tyre breifly with a brick. takes off enough of the coating to ensure you dont have to worry out on the road

^^^ This ^^^

I install my own tires. When I do, I use dish washing liquid soap and water as a lube to mount the tire on the rim. Once assembled, I take the time to wash and scrub the lube film off the tire and wheel before reassembly. A good detergent should remove most such residues.

This may help prevent some initial slippage. Aside from this, I agree with taking it easy, and increasing lean angles gradually. It can be done in one short ride if you have enough turns.

i my self would not ONLY do 20 miles & then think a new set of tyre,s are scrubbed in then go flat out
it cost,s a lot to find out your wrong

Loving the brick idea!!

Hi Fraz, i always get my tyres fitted to loose wheels, and when i get back home i go round them with a bit of sandpaper to take the shine of them.

Only started doing this after a few close calls..

Cheers Davie

Dean-J wrote:People make far too big a deal about scrubbing in new tyres imo.
Just dont go barreling into corners flat out and you will be fine.

I agree with this.

I would say get your new tyres on come down the interesting road and ride like it was raining, you'll be fine.

At least that way you will cover more of the tyre whereas on the motorway you'll be mostly bolt upright.

You really don't need too many miles to get the tyre ok, but I would say that people quote around 100 - 150 miles as that gives you chance to get around some bends and do more of the tyre, I would say 30 - 40 miles up some twistyish roads is better than 150 miles on a motorway for scrubbing in

The Classic youtube New Bike with New Tyres
Misserable sod dissabled embedding, but you can click through to youtube and watch him.

The first time I had new tyres on the 'Cat was a terrifying experience and I could understand why people use sandpaper first. However it wasn't long before everything settled down.
When it was time to change them naturally I was rather nervous, but found it was nothing like the first time.

I'd figured that all my previous bikes had square tyres and the rear was about the size of the 'Cat's front. Also I didn't realise the tyres were quite squared off when I got it, so had no idea what a sports tyre was supposed to feel like.


If you've never been used to the profile of a new tyre then you'll notice a big difference and that'll affect your ride more than the 'mould film' which needs to be scrubbed off.
I just treat new tyres as if it were raining.

kwakkat wrote:i my self would not ONLY do 20 miles & then think a new set of tyre,s are scrubbed in then go flat out
it cost,s a lot to find out your wrong

Im not saying a tyre is automatically scrubbed in after 20miles.
Im saying its perfectly possible to scrub in a new tyre in 20miles of progressive riding on Twisties... Which it is.

Like i said, people make far too big a deal about scrubbing in new tyres.

Sand paper and scrubbing makes no difference. You need the central fugal force of the tyre spinning to get the agent out of the rubber.
you can lean but be gentle. Don't be too throttle happy either.
Ride sensible and you'll have no issues wet or dry. I had a pair fitted and it threw it down about a minute after leaving the garage. I was supprised how much grip and feedback I got.
Then again, I can remember nearly getting spat off my GPZ9 from being too throttle happy, 10 yards from the garage after getting warned to take it easy.
Also had a big moment on an RD350 many years ago as I didn'y know you were supposed to scrub tyres in.
Just be smooth and ride your normal roads. If its wet, then allow about 100 miles before chucking it about. 50 on normal roads but chances are they will be scrubbed after 20 miles.