TyreSafe, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and worn tyres, advices motorcyclists that are fitting new tyres to their bikes for spring to ride with extra care for the first 100 miles to avoid any potential road hazards.
Stuart Jackson, Chairman, TyreSafe appreciated that many bikers that will be fitting fresh tyres to their bikes will have to treat the new tyres with a degree of care and ride with extra caution for the first 100 miles or so while the tyres scrub in.
He explained that during the tyre’s manufacturing process, its surface is coated with a release agent to prevent it from sticking to the tyre mould. In some cases, this non-stick property can make the tyre slippery on the road when it is first fitted to a bike, presenting a potential safety hazard for riders.
Fpr safety, he advised riders to avoid maximum power, hard acceleration, braking and cornering for the first 100 miles onwards, adding that this period of gentle riding allows time for the tyre to ‘scrub-in’ whilst any traces of the release agent are removed from the surface.
With potentially reduced levels of grip, riders should take extra care on wet or greasy roads. After the scrubbing-in period of 100 miles, the tyres should be checked to make sure they are still correctly seated on the wheel rim and the pressure is still correct.
“As the only point of contact between a bike and the road, it’s essential that tyres are properly looked after,” reminded Jackson. “After the initial period of checks, riders should make sure they continue to make regular inspections covering the tyre’s condition, tread depth and pressure throughout its life,” he said.