Is 'scrubbing in' new tyres still a thing?

[EazyDuz]

Both tyres on my bike are 9 years old so getting them changed in a couple weeks.

Ive done some searching and seem to find all kinds of answers. Some say fine to use new tyres straight away, some say get on the motorway and do a good 50 miles to burn off the releasing agents.
One went as far as saying he jacks the bike up, puts it in first then gets off and rubs sandpaper all over the tyres.

The bike in question is a C800 with super wide 170 and 130 tyres (rear and front) so I dont want to wind up with 2 massive, dangerous chicken strips covered in 'releasing agents' which will have me sliding over whenever I go to scrape the pegs.

[EazyDuz]

Ho Lee Kau said:

There are no releasing agents in modern tires.

Do you have a source for that which proves for all brands?

[EazyDuz]

Disastrous said:

Mildly related, but do bike tyres ‘go off’?

I’ve got a pair on my Aprilia that were there when I bought the thing, so at least 4 years old. I don’t do many miles on it though, so they are still absolutely fine from a tread/wear perspective...I just sometimes feel that they feel a bit slippy but not sure whether it’s just my imagination or not.

Presumably if they’re otherwise ok, age doesn’t really matter?

They do. These are my 9 year old tyres which started this whole thread because I need to get them replaced ASAP



Note the cracks in the tread. The rubber also seems way too firm. Even on the motorway for an hour the tyres never get very hot and you can barely leave a finger nail imprint in the rubber (should be tacky almost like chewing gum).

[EazyDuz]

Based on the replies im just going to take some 180 grit sandpaper with me and scrub them down before leaving. Not worth the risk.

[EazyDuz]

Ho Lee Kau said:

Yes, that is the one and only solution.
Get the smallest grit sandpaper and do the job properly, do not miss any spots on the tire, center or sides, otherwise the first ride on them slippery new tires will be your last fo sho!

Apparently its tyre brand dependant. Dont think anyone has mentioned Bridgestones yet so cant say if they are slippy when new but its a no brainer really.

1. Scrub the tyres with sand paper. Time taken: 5 minutes. Cost: 0
2. Ride straight away, risk dropping the bike at low or high speed. Cost: Anywhere from £0 to £1000's.

[EazyDuz]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Read:

jamiehamy said:

I put a Motoz Rallz on the back of my Africa Twin a few weeks ago. Leaving the garage was a right turn onto the main road. Wasn't doing anything daft and the bike did 90degrees on the spot - closest I've ever come to dropping it on the road! . A few miles later they were fine but for sure - should have paid more attention - so yes - scrubbing in should still be a thing, even if only a short ride.

Jazoli said:

It would appear that the quiet haven that was BB is becoming more and more like the open forums on PH, sandpaper?????????????? get a grip you plank, I'd recommend that anyone considering using sandpaper to 'scrub' tyres should really step away from the bike and hand the keys in to a dealer, if you are not capable of moderating lean and throttle position for a few miles you should not be riding a fking bike, I have never heard anything so pathetic as fking sandpapering your new tyres, I'd love you to stand outside FWR or any other ride in/ride out tyre place and hand out sandpaper to people, you'd be laughed off the face of the earth.

Edited by Jazoli on Wednesday 24th April 09:12

You seem upset

[EazyDuz]

SAS Tom said:

I’ve genuinely seen someone sand his tyres with brake cleaner outside my local tyre place. Everyone including the staff took the piss but he thought it was absolutely convinced that without doing this he would die.

I bet the bike owner himself was laughing at the thought of being a tyre jockey on £95 a week apprenticeship wage working 40 hours a week with a boss who pronounces 'month', like 'mum-ff'

[EazyDuz]

cliffords said:

I bought a new Multistrada two years ago , first new bike I have ever bought. The dealer said to me be ultra careful on the new tyres for 30 miles or so . I came out of the dealer onto a b road and the bike was awful , unrideable. I went two miles and turned around and took it back . He took the bike out and said its all good its the tyres . I rode home and after about 30 miles later all was good .
It was literally like riding on ice for 6 or so miles and then got a bit better gradually. They were Pirelli standard fit tyres.

I have Michelins now .

Pirelli should sell all tyres with some free 800 grit wet and dry.

[EazyDuz]

moanthebairns said:

I got a new rear tyre fitted once after a puncture and I saw the mechanic buzzing about the streets on my bike. I asked why the fk.
He was breaking in my new tyre.
I kinda felt a bit pissed off tbh I dunno why. But I especially puzzled me because I was in the day before getting my scrubs replaced on a set of loose wheels.

Pointless excuse to hoon on someone elses pride and joy.
Its like that dash cam footage of the mechanic who took a guys sports car out, ragging the st out of it in every gear, blissfully unaware it was all being recorded and put on the news.