Why Tire Break-In Is Important
If we open the owner’s manual for a motorcycle, we often find recommendations not only to break in the motorcycle itself but also its tires after replacement. Let’s discuss whether this is really necessary and why it matters.
Looking closely at the surface of new tires, it becomes clear that they are completely smooth. Running your hand over them, you’ll notice they are slippery. Riding on such tires increases the risk of slipping or losing control in turns because the grip of smooth new tires on the road is insufficient.
Differences Between New and Broken-In Tires
The surface of a broken-in tire is very different. If you run your hand over a broken-in tire, it feels similar to sandpaper—rough and not slippery. Such tires grip the road much better, providing safer handling and improved control.
To transform a tire from smooth to properly textured, a certain distance needs to be ridden. The exact distance depends on the motorcycle type, tire model, and road conditions. On average, this can range from 5 to 100 kilometers.
Break-In for Different Types of Motorcycles
For sports motorcycles with soft, high-grip tires, minimal break-in is needed. Track tires, like Supercors, only require a few dozen laps on the track to be fully ready for aggressive riding.
For owners of large touring motorcycles, the situation is different. Touring tires are made from a harder compound designed for long mileage, tens of thousands of kilometers. Consequently, breaking in these tires requires significantly more time, sometimes around 100 kilometers or more.
It’s important to understand that when riding straight, only a narrow strip of the tire’s surface is in contact with the road. Therefore, it’s recommended to use winding roads during the break-in process, gradually increasing speed and lean angle to wear in as much of the tire’s surface as possible. This prevents unpleasant surprises in turns.
Adjusting to New Tires
Another point to remember when replacing tires is that new tires have a rounder profile compared to worn tires. You may need some time to get used to the sharper handling characteristics.
This is why it’s recommended to replace tires in pairs. Rear tires usually wear out faster than front tires, and it can be tempting to replace only the rear. However, doing so reduces the benefit of new tire handling. If only the rear is replaced, the front retains a flatter central surface, and half of the performance improvement is lost.
Warming Up Tires Before Aggressive Riding
Finally, before pushing your tires to their limits, it’s crucial to bring them up to operating temperature. This is especially important for powerful motorcycles in cold or wet conditions. Properly warmed tires provide better grip, while cold tires reduce traction, and no electronic aids can compensate for it.
There are no universal guidelines for how long to warm up tires, it depends on the tire model, motorcycle, and weather conditions. If you are unsure about traction, it is recommended to ride cautiously for the first couple of kilometers, gradually accelerating and leaning carefully into turns.
