Ducati Monster Forum

little tounge-y and chee-e-ka-y!

new Pirelli on the front last weekend; (...and Im stoked!) very busy since the install and wanted to be well rested and decent weather before taking er for a rip ...

how best to break it in!? all suggestions welcome

(should I wash it in detergent and rinse? or

weave back and forth for the first 5 minutes of riding?...)

how long to get er to full grip ?

 [Dolph]

You won't use full grip. After a couple of heat cycles they're ready though. I start with a good cleaning with a cloth and break cleaner.

I don't do anything other than making sure the stickers are removed.

My tyre guy wipes them down with shellite.

What's the idea behind wiping down the rubber with chemicals?

The slick sh*te on the tire is mold release agent from the tire manufacture.  It needs to be removed.  Chemical agents as described above remove said agent.  You can (if you want) leave it on and ride carefully if you like.  I use the chemical agents myself.

From what I've read, most moto tire manufactures quit using mold release agents over a decade ago, Pirelli being one of them.

Michelin's run-in instructions (https://www.michelin-training.net/courses/motorcycle_tire_basics/english/ipad/index.html) basically say take it easy and gradually increase lean angles over 60 miles.

Pirelli is basically the same:

Run In
After fitting, the tire should not be used under maximum power or excessive cornering and not over 60 MPH for the first 200 miles to adjust the tire/rim assembly. After the run in period, speeds may be increased progressively (within legal speed limits and safe operating conditions). Be sure to check the air pressures during the run in process.

I'm thinking we have the makings of an oil thread here.  [laugh]

+1 on above post.

 More than 10 years ago, all major motorcycle tire manufacturers stopped using release agent.
You can call and ask Bridgestone customer service. (Or, Pirelli, Dunlop, Michellin, ...)

"Slippery because of release agent) is the old story from 1970s and 80s.
Back then, yes, tire manufacturers used so called "release agent", which is kind of lubricant, that makes releasing the tires from the mold easier. And brand new tires had them still on the tread surface, hence they were slippery in first 50 miles or so.

So, DON'T USE BRAKE CLEANER (or parts cleaner) ON YOUR TIRES !
These harsh chemicals DO DAMAGE rubber, tires, brake caliper piston seals, etc.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                     This

I'm thinking we have the makings of an oil thread here. ...lol

1+

but semi-serious too; there's more than one that would be thinking endies to warm er up (maybe not on dmf) … and thought of break cleaner; detergent with a good rinse etc and … remember being out on new Pirelli rear that was sliding around on me in damp morning conditions, gearing down, with the dry clutch; … was testing its limits on the straight; very carful in corners

While the mfrs dont grease the pan anymore my tyre guy wipes them down as a courtesy due to who knows what from where could be on them in the process of them arriving. Anything can get on tyres prior to and during fitting.
He has worked for Moto3 teams, has a close relationship with Pirelli and says its part of best practice to those in the know. The tyre mfrs don't want the average punter wiping tyres down with chemicals and damaging the compound. Just follow the mfrs instructions. I'm glad my tyres are wiped down and I used to do them myself.

Koko, what do you use, or what does your dealer use?

lol...

ya!  wtf do they use?

I opted to go naked; no chemicals; no detergent; as what duc painter does … and the first dam stop light I came too changed faster than anticipated; did an overly abrupt stop …. without consequence but conditions were good; wondered if I should have done a quick wipe with brake cleaner ...

Shellite (from previous post). Basically a form of naphtha, which is a pretty toxic solvent. Apparently not friendly to rubber.

I used to use Prepsol. I have been known to chuck on some tyre warmers or lightly scuff new tyres with foam backed sand paper.

"We taking it easy today?", "Sure". Hangs up phone...
Bike on race stands with tyre warmers.

Brake fluid... or break fluid?   ;D

Oh no imo. Just take it easy for a hundred.

A thought, too high a tyre pressure can delay or prevent warm up, depending on how you're riding. Once, just once I didn't immediately check the psi on new tyres fitted and later found them at 41 psi both ends in cold conditions. I was skating all over the place which reminded me to do so. Some tyre fitters see the "max 41 psi" on the sidewall and just fill er up.

I think a lot of service guys just air them up to make sure they pop the bead and seat it... and just put them on that way.  The burden is always on the rider....

Me too. 

-sigh- just realised my typos  :P… corrected

I think it's too strong a substance.

Since tyre Mfrs don't "grease the baking pan" anymore you should avoid trying chemicals to be safe. Just give em a hundred miles gradually increasing lean angle. Advice i was given was to ride new tyres in the dry like you would in the wet for the first 100.

I shared what my tyre guy still does and what I used to do. I sometimes regret sharing some of the old school practices :P