Worried about back end

[BU5T4]

Hi PH'ers

Since changing my back tire on my AR125 and being told to take it easy I find I am very aware of the back tire slipping.

I have driven on the tire for 50 miles now and it is slightly worn but the reason I had to change the tire was when I was driving down the dual carridgeway from airdie to Cumbernauld I had a blow out at 60MPH and it scared the out of me.

I now keep thinking that my back tire is slipping or low on pressure. Does this feeling go away?

Its making me go into the garage all the time and checking the pressure and not pushing my bike as much as I usully do.

Has anyone else been through this? how long did it take to get your confidence back?

[gRsf12]

BU5T4 said:

I now keep thinking that my back tire is slipping or low on pressure. Does this feeling go away? Has anyone else been through this? how long did it take to get your confidence back?

Not surprised you're wary, but regaining confidence is a very individual thing, so don't worry how long anyone else got over a blowout, crash, being dumped...

Don't forget that the tyre is covered in release agent from the moulding process so you need to gradually ease it over more and more when riding to scrub it up properly all over - just 50 miles of use in the middle of the tread doesn't count for much.

[Mad Dave]

How common are blowouts on bikes? Surely it would immediately lock the rear wheel and throw you into the weeds? Scary!

[BU5T4]

I think I was very lucky not to get thrown off the bike.

The back wheel didnt lock up, it just went flat instantly the back end slid out and in but I managed to slow down and pull in. The guy I was over taking at the time pulled over to make sure I was ok which I was amazed at.

I've been taking my time with the corners, dont really go down that far anyways as I have only been driving on the roads for a few months now.

The tire has the little frayes/spikes starting to disapeer so I guess i am getting it down somewhat.

Another thing I was thinking about is that if you have seen an AR125 before it is quite a small bike and I'm a big guy 17 stone (ish) should I put less air pressure in the tire because of my weight? Its currently set at 40psi

[Pigeon]

No, the more weight you have on the tyre, the more pressure you need in it - though 40psi does sound a bit high. Have a look in the book and see what pressures they recommend for riding without and with a pillion; sometimes they give load weights as well.

[BU5T4]

Pigeon said:

No, the more weight you have on the tyre, the more pressure you need in it - though 40psi does sound a bit high. Have a look in the book and see what pressures they recommend for riding without and with a pillion; sometimes they give load weights as well.

Cheers for the reply mate. The only reason that I put 40 psi in the tire is because thats what the tire says to put in it.

Unfortunatly I dont have a book for it, I bought the bike second hand from a young lad that fell off it and never rode it again.

I'll have a troll of google and see if I can find a book online.

thanks again

[tim2100]

Doesn't soudn to high to me.

The ZX9R Ninja has 42psi on the back wheel!

[Andy OH]

Give a dealer who supplies the same bike as you have a call to get the correct tyre pressures for your bike. 40 psi does seem a bit high, my blade runs 42 psi with a 190 width rear tyre.

[stooz]

the releasing agent DOES NOT wear away with more lean angle!!

the HEAT in the tyre melts it away.
100 miles is the norm, depends on the heat you get into it.

DONT crank it over (hard) until you have MELTED the agent, normal slow cornering will be fine.
you
a) need more miles on it
b) have lost confidence since the event, and its possibly not the tyre at all...

( dropped mine trying to knee down, and now I struggle to get it down at all, only after 2 months is the "skill" coming back to me )

[Incorrigible]

Andy OH said:

Give a dealer who supplies the same bike as you have a call to get the correct tyre pressures for your bike. 40 psi does seem a bit high, my blade runs 42 psi with a 190 width rear tyre.

Ermm.. smaller tyre will need more psi won't it ?? smaller contact patch, similar weight

[mags]

I thought that scrubbing the tyre with sandpaper was a good idea before riding, is this true?

Mags

[fergus]

The reason you have to be careful with new tyres is partially to do with wearing through the release agent that gets the tyre out of the mould. Scrubbing with sandpaper is one way of 'buffing' the tyres. It won't help the grip at all, as this is done by the rubber compound itself...

[BU5T4]

I start my new job on Monday so I will gets lots more miles on it going to and from work.

I'll just take my time and let it wear down itself not really up for the sand paper idea.

I was out on it today anyways and I gave it a blast and felt much more confident. I actually think this was a good thing to happen as I was getting a little cocky and this has proved to me how easy it could have been to lose it.

Thanks for the advice folks. Glad you lot are here as I am not part of the local bike club and this really is one massive bike/car club.