New Tires - Braked Hard during first ride - Advice?
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Stage II
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2
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From: Tulsa, OK
New Tires - Braked Hard during first ride - Advice?
Hey -
New to Forum; but I have repeatedly heard a variety of break-in techniques for new tires. Usually around doing a lot of figure-8s, turns and to avoid fast acceleration or braking during the 1st 100 miles. I also see mixed advice as to whether to scrub the tires with a variety of solutions or abrasives, and others that say absolutely not to do this.
Two things:
1. On my first bloody ride home from the H-D dealership after getting new tires, I was put in a situation where I had to brake hard enough to skid several feet. No problems noted during the rest of the ride -- but I hear a ton of concern regarding the need to avoid just that during the tire break-in period.
2. This is my first set of new tires and the bike feels kind of squirrely under me during the ride home. Almost as if it was overly-sensitive. The least amount of lean or front tire movement would alter the bike direction. Some might say that it was "more responsive" than with my old tires. I even wondered if the PSI pressure was too high in the front tire resulting in a smaller surface area with good road contact.
Any comments/advice welcome.
Doc
New to Forum; but I have repeatedly heard a variety of break-in techniques for new tires. Usually around doing a lot of figure-8s, turns and to avoid fast acceleration or braking during the 1st 100 miles. I also see mixed advice as to whether to scrub the tires with a variety of solutions or abrasives, and others that say absolutely not to do this.
Two things:
1. On my first bloody ride home from the H-D dealership after getting new tires, I was put in a situation where I had to brake hard enough to skid several feet. No problems noted during the rest of the ride -- but I hear a ton of concern regarding the need to avoid just that during the tire break-in period.
2. This is my first set of new tires and the bike feels kind of squirrely under me during the ride home. Almost as if it was overly-sensitive. The least amount of lean or front tire movement would alter the bike direction. Some might say that it was "more responsive" than with my old tires. I even wondered if the PSI pressure was too high in the front tire resulting in a smaller surface area with good road contact.
Any comments/advice welcome.
Doc
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
When buying tyres here in the UK most dealers will recommend taking things easy for around 100 miles. The reason is to scrub off the shiney moulded surface of the tread. There are better things to do with one's life than to mess around trying any other way! Just go out for a couple of hours, preferably down windy back roads, job done.
Grip will improve once you have that under your tyres, however check tyre pressures! I always do that after fitting new tyres, before I take that two hour ride. If you are using a non-stock brand of tyre, check their website for correct pressures - they may be different to stock pressures. New tyres always feel different to the ones that were replaced, even if they are identical.
Grip will improve once you have that under your tyres, however check tyre pressures! I always do that after fitting new tyres, before I take that two hour ride. If you are using a non-stock brand of tyre, check their website for correct pressures - they may be different to stock pressures. New tyres always feel different to the ones that were replaced, even if they are identical.
Last edited by grbrown; Apr 29, 2013 at 05:05 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 9
From: Southern Illinois
grbrown, I put a set of Continental Milestones on my 01 Ultra. The tire air pressure is shown in bars on the web so i'm not sure where ideal would be. I'm running 38 psi front and 40 rear and wonder if you can set me straight on proper air pressure. I'm 240 and the wife is 185 and I ride mostly 2 up. have I got the pressure close. Continental's web site just gets me more confused as it's set up more for European riders.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
grbrown, I put a set of Continental Milestones on my 01 Ultra. The tire air pressure is shown in bars on the web so i'm not sure where ideal would be. I'm running 38 psi front and 40 rear and wonder if you can set me straight on proper air pressure. I'm 240 and the wife is 185 and I ride mostly 2 up. have I got the pressure close. Continental's web site just gets me more confused as it's set up more for European riders.
That is pretty well the same as stock, so you could use the data in your owners manual. For 2-up I personally would add several extra psi and would use up to 40F/45R, although I haven't used Continental for many years, so have no experience of their current tyres.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 9
From: Southern Illinois
Thanks. I couldn't figure it out and no one around here had any idea, so, I just set them according to the owners manual. Feels like front wants to wander a bit more with these than the Dunlops but I think an increase in both might be the ticket.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I look on recommended pressures being a guide, not cast in concrete! With my Avons I used to run them at 44F/50R fully loaded and the bike rode like a champ (I have a custom rear now, so have to settle on suitable pressures for my 160/70).
Having owned Harleys since the 70s they have always seemed to me to be light on psi, especially when riding 2-up. Mrs B and I and are close to your weights so we are on the gross limit of our old Glide and I have worked steadily up the pressure scale to get the ride I want. A little experimentation will probably work out fine for you two as well!
Having owned Harleys since the 70s they have always seemed to me to be light on psi, especially when riding 2-up. Mrs B and I and are close to your weights so we are on the gross limit of our old Glide and I have worked steadily up the pressure scale to get the ride I want. A little experimentation will probably work out fine for you two as well!
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