New Tires Warning
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 8
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Back when I rode sport bikes I got warned about this before riding off the lot every time I got new tires. I've only been warned by Harley shops once or twice. I think they need to step it up so guys like the OP hear about this situation.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
Yeah, seriously, I used to read these forums daily all day long and I’ve picked up a lot of good info here; including tips about the salt in winter and to watch out before the first good rain, etc. or it can be dangerous. There was a local preacher of a big church in OKC that lost his life over it since I read that here.
It just really caught me by surprise that such a relatively low speed turn almost ended up with my bike coming out from under me. If I had coasted through the turn and put any faith in that tire at all it I might not have pulled out of it as lucky.
I’m not blaming the Commander II’s for it either – they seem to be riding fine already, but I’ve never seen this on another set of tires and it might be worth note.
It just really caught me by surprise that such a relatively low speed turn almost ended up with my bike coming out from under me. If I had coasted through the turn and put any faith in that tire at all it I might not have pulled out of it as lucky.
I’m not blaming the Commander II’s for it either – they seem to be riding fine already, but I’ve never seen this on another set of tires and it might be worth note.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Got away from doing my own tires out of laziness. Never trust new tires till at least fifty miles of wear on them. I just had a new rear tire with less then 100 miles on it go flat yesterday. Nut that holds valve stem to rim is loose. I suspect tube was either pinched or nicked by the person that installed it. I watched him and two others fighting to seat that tire. Looked like monkeys screwing a football. I wasn't impressed but thought we will see. Well the tire is flat and I spot no holes in it. We will definitely see today. They will be breaking down that tire with me watching very closely. Point is never trust new tires and be always suspicious of the installer. I have had more bad experiences with motorcycle tires and the people that install them than the people that install my cage tires.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
I always new this. I guess working in a service station as my first job exposed me to things that most folks would never encounter. When I worked as a mechanic, we would always do burnouts out of the back door of the shop after we put new ties on. We had a wash down area with a scrub brush to clean the sidewalls and then would peel out. Usually would take a ride up and down the road too.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 89
From: Tampa, FL
Yeah, seriously, I used to read these forums daily all day long and Ive picked up a lot of good info here; including tips about the salt in winter and to watch out before the first good rain, etc. or it can be dangerous. There was a local preacher of a big church in OKC that lost his life over it since I read that here.
It just really caught me by surprise that such a relatively low speed turn almost ended up with my bike coming out from under me. If I had coasted through the turn and put any faith in that tire at all it I might not have pulled out of it as lucky.
Im not blaming the Commander IIs for it either they seem to be riding fine already, but Ive never seen this on another set of tires and it might be worth note.
It just really caught me by surprise that such a relatively low speed turn almost ended up with my bike coming out from under me. If I had coasted through the turn and put any faith in that tire at all it I might not have pulled out of it as lucky.
Im not blaming the Commander IIs for it either they seem to be riding fine already, but Ive never seen this on another set of tires and it might be worth note.
Do you install your own tires? I know some guys on here do, but I don't have a balancer so I wouldnt even try.
If you took it to a shop, i am supprised they did not warn you. Every time i get new tires the tech and manager always remind me. Even though i've heard it many times before, i always hear that reminder.
Even if you are an experienced (older) rider they should remind you just to be on the safe side.
.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Slick Tires
I just put a set of Michelin Pilot Road 3s on my bike...My first ride on them was to get some gas and get a feel for them. They were slicker than fish snot. The next ride was about 250 miles with a group and they were still very squirrelly. After that ride they have calmed down and are much more stable in the turns and on the highway. When brand new, they were all over the road, now they are great.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 285
Likes: 13
From: FL
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
Do you install your own tires? I know some guys on here do, but I don't have a balancer so I wouldnt even try.
If you took it to a shop, i am supprised they did not warn you. Every time i get new tires the tech and manager always remind me. Even though i've heard it many times before, i always hear that reminder.
Even if you are an experienced (older) rider they should remind you just to be on the safe side.
.
If you took it to a shop, i am supprised they did not warn you. Every time i get new tires the tech and manager always remind me. Even though i've heard it many times before, i always hear that reminder.
Even if you are an experienced (older) rider they should remind you just to be on the safe side.
.
Again, I realize there is some degree of common sense that dictates a brand new tire isnt going to be as sticky as after you have roughed it up, but I have never had one slip out from under me like that and it was news to me about the break in period and there actually being a substance on the tires that is cause for them to be slick beyond them just being new and not roughed up enough to be sticky.