Running in new tyres ...

Got some BT 0023 on Friday on the way to work.

Chap said 100+ish careful miles (and then added dry as it began to drizzle) before using normally

So then....

a) What's the equivalent wet milage on new tyres to break them in?
b) Is it mainly to get the waxy sealant off from the mould ?
c) Has that happened when most of the the wibbly hairs are off the mid sections?
d) I don't suppose you cna scrub them down with wet and dry paper to assist this in a safe-ish manner

So far I've managed about 50/50 miles in each weather condition so far and can tell they're not quite ready.

[uksurfer]

black and round

(thats all you need to worry about)


i just ride normally on new tyres and have never had a problem with them?

[MrsC_772]

My last tyres which I finished off on the way back from WDW were BT023s and they were awesome in the wet. I don't recall it taking much more than 100 miles to scrub them in, and I think they still had some, as you put it, "wibbly hairs" for quite a long time. My understanding is that running in is really to get the mould release compound off.

[Nickj]

After a few miles the centres shine and new look finish will be gone and it'll look a bit matt. All you're trying to do is extend out the matt finish to the edges.
How quickly you do this depends on how happy you feel and the tyre feels but 100 miles is a bit OTT

[Grumpy]

The chap to ask is Stafford...he use to work for Avon Tyres

My understand is the releasing agent used to get the tyre out of the mould, should be worked out of the tyre, so when the shine has gone out of the tyre, which should be about 50 to 75 miles. Remember to gradually up the lean angle on the bike, don't go 'balls out' straight off.

Side comment - I've got BT023's on the m900.... great tyres, never had any issues with 'em...

[Stafford]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

The chap to ask is Stafford...he use to work for Avon Tyres

My understand is the releasing agent used to get the tyre out of the mould, should be worked out of the tyre, so when the shine has gone out of the tyre, which should be about 50 to 75 miles. Remember to gradually up the lean angle on the bike, don't go 'balls out' straight off.

That was a while ago!
A release agent is applied to the green tyre prior to curing, this sprayed on and allowed to dry. If the operator is having issues with a batch of tyres he can also apply another release agent via a spray gun, as such depending on the tyre the amount of release agent can vary a lot. You'll probably find a more slippery surface on the inside where the bladder that fills with super heated steam under pressure is. This is also rubber and is more likely to stick so is heavily coated. As for scrubbing them in take it steady as James says and feel for any vibration that may indicate poor balancing for the first few miles.

[Wasta]

Usually run tyres in on a twenty/ thirty mile blast. Centre first obviously then just lean a little more each time. Jobb jobbed

[slob]

two slow laps, two fast ones...

I wipe my new tyres with a rag soaked in cellulose thinners, it removes the shiny finish from the tread area.

The inside of the mould is sprayed with a release oil before the mould is closed to stop the tyre rubber sticking to the mould when it is moulded.

The new tyre will still be covered in this agent, hence will drop you on your ass on wet roads etc...

As soon as I get my new tyre & wheel combo back home they go upstairs to the bathroom.

Run a little warm water & add a squirt of washing-up liquid. Hold the wheel upright & use a washing - up style scrubby pad to scrub the tyre tread? Be careful not to slop the suds over your wheel, washing-up liquid contains salt & wont do them any good...

When you are certain all the oil has been removed then rinse the tyre off with the shower head.

Tyre is now good to go!

It wouldn't,t just be the tyre that was good to go if my missus caught me pulling a stunt like that.

[slipperyweeguy]

Perhaps my contribution is based on old info, or applies more to car tyres, but it used to be the done thing to let the tyre go through a couple of heat cycles (ie use gently to let them get up to normal temperature and cool down again) before using them with maximum vigour. The reasoning was that the tyres final curing was completed during these cycles, and the service life of the tyre would be extended, even if you did not notice any great benefit.
Scrubbing the surface only takes a few miles.
It may be myth or misunderstanding, but I always do it, and so do the chassis engineers I worked with.

That old info makes a lot of sense

I've had new tyres fitted at a track day, 2 laps, slowly increasing lean angle. On the road, normal use, few miles unless you're trying to get you knee down :-)