The tyre review thread

[Kevin]

I decided to give the PR3s one more go as I really like how they handle. I'm running the rear at 44PSI to see if that improves the wear rate.

Mind you, we'll be using the FJR more as the season progresses as it seems not to corrode so quickly so it might be next year before I know whether the higher pressure has made any difference.

No reply (yet?) from Michelin to my letter.

Kevin

[Lonewolf]

Kevin, I inflate mine front and rear to 42psi as per the instructions but in reality they do run when warm at 45-45psi.
I'm hoping mine will last another year yet, which will probably equate to about 10k on them.  ;D

[Kevin]

[nods] As you probably gathered, I'm talking about 44PSI cold.

A year? That would be nice. The set of tyres I've just had fitted are our 4th this year on the GTR and we haven't done a huge amount of miles on it - 3750 from the first set which were fitted in April, 3750 from the second, 5k from the third (although I should have changed them 1000 miles before that as they felt 'orrid) and now these ones.

Kevin

[100milesaway]

First time out today on new tyres, unlike most of you I had Dunlop Road Smart 2s fitted, I know that you all give Pilot road 3s good press but I had road 2s on my last bike and hated them with a passion, they felt like I was riding along on two planks of wood no feedback at all and I  imagine the 3s are basically the same structure so I'm trying something different. Managed 200 miles today and so far no negatives, they feel nice and compliant, the bike steers nice, and they feel very grippy. The original 021u lasted 5 thousand miles and if these do the same I will be happy.   ;D

[mecki]

Let us know how you get on with the Roadsmarts.
I had them on my Bandit 1250 and thought they were excellent.
I was quoted £278 for a set today, but I think I'll go with the PR3s for 5 quid more.
While I was looking I saw the PR2s and PR3s and the latter seems to be a totally different animal.

[100milesaway]

Had mine done ride in ride out at AMR racing (Manor cafe) Bellerby, 259 sqid  ;D

[mecki]

Hmm, might nearly cost 19 quid in gas to get there and back, though. :(

[Lonewolf]

Hmm, might nearly cost 19 quid in gas to get there and back, though. :(

The advantage being though that you will be able on route to enjoy the stunning countryside and views and scrub the tyres in on your way home.  ;D

[Kwikasfuki]

Do people still scrub in tyres? I've never noticed any difference from new to worn tyres. In the wet with new tyres I'll take it easy but otherwise it's riding as normal.

[mecki]

The advantage being though that you will be able on route to enjoy the stunning countryside and views and scrub the tyres in on your way home.  ;D

Stunning countryside? I doubt that since most of the way would be on the A1 from Gateshead to Richmond.
And I also don't thinks it's a good idea to scrub in the tyres on the motorway.

[Lonewolf]

Do people still scrub in tyres? I've never noticed any difference from new to worn tyres. In the wet with new tyres I'll take it easy but otherwise it's riding as normal.

I think people do still scrub in tyres. Probably out of habit than anything else. One RTC I went to, husband & wife, wife riding pillion, pulled out of their drive onto a main road at Barkisland, Halifax, still in 1st gear, husband gave it a bit of throttle and just lost the back end of the machine. The bike was written off, husband had very serious injuries consisting of fractured pelvis, multiple broken ribs etc. His wife sustained serious injuries also although not as bad as her husband. They were farm owners, he couldn't work for months. Transpired the husband had just had new tyres fitted front and rear on one of his many motorcycles, perefectly dry road etc. Conclusion after investigation was that it was rider error, he failed to take into consideration the 'slippery' tyre surface, resulting in the loss of control of his machine and the injuries he sustained as a direct result of this fact. No other vehicles involved, etc.

You learn a lot from attending jobs like this. I always scrub my tyres in.  ;D

[Lonewolf]

Stunning countryside? I doubt that since most of the way would be on the A1 from Gateshead to Richmond.
And I also don't thinks it's a good idea to scrub in the tyres on the motorway.

Speak to Geoff. He knows every possible alternative to using the motorways. unless its an island he'll find you another route!!

[Kwikasfuki]

what's the scrubbing in period? Is it just to get rid of the release compound which is what I'm assuming makes the tyre slippy?

[routemaster]

The are several reasons for scrubbing in new tyres.

The primary one is to remove any remaining traces of the mould release agent from the tyre surface - which these days probably isn't that much and in the dry shouldn't cause any problems but it could in the wet. The secondary reason is to get used to the tyres, a lot of people will fit tyres from a different manufacturer or a different model/type of tyre.

"Scrubbing In" is just riding the bike with some care and consideration for 50-100 miles.

There is a third reason for scrubbing in tyres - an excuse to go out on the bike - probably the best reason of all  :) :)

Steve

[Rusty]

I have always thought it was around 50 - 100 miles just to be careful and scrubb off any factory shine or stuff that isn't wanted when you are giving it some wellington !