new tire question : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

ICEMAN2087 · 09-01-2008, 07:28 PM

so i bought my bike in may... how do i know when my tires are broken in... i rode in the rain for the first time yesterday and it felt kind of sketchy

ThetaPi758 · 09-01-2008, 07:36 PM

your tires should be "broken in" after about 100 miles or so. i was pretty jittery the first time i drove in the rain, it gets better with time.

Shifty1 · 09-01-2008, 10:39 PM

Riding in the rain sucks whether your tires are broken in or not. As above, the standard break-in for tires is 100 miles. But even broken in you need to be careful about riding in the rain. Downshifts need to be done correctly and carefully and you definitely need to take care in braking. Power delivery through a turn...blah blah blah...riding in the rain sucks and can be very dangerous if you are not experienced and comfortable. Personally, if it gonna rain, I drive the truck.

Scabbs · 09-02-2008, 02:11 AM

100 miles for breakin (i do 40 or 2 laps around the track)

and for when you need to replace them, there is a little flap of rubber in the tread, if you cant see that anymore. get new tires. or about a 16th of an inch

ICEMAN2087 · 09-02-2008, 03:40 AM

thanks guys... and yah i almost learned the hard way about down shifting... i did it to late right as a went into a turn and luckly was on a back road by myself and was able to straighten up and just stop... like i said im new to riding and that was my first scare with going down... thanks again for the info

Summerwolf · 09-02-2008, 09:20 AM

just plan everything in advance when it rains.....living in the midwest I got caught in many a rain storms right after I started riding and trust me, it gets better with time.....but at no time will it ever feel "great" to ride in rain.

chappers · 09-02-2008, 12:38 PM

You can take 100 or 20 miles to scrub a set of tyres the idea is to remove the releasing agent (shiny surface) from the tyre best, bet is to lean around corners a little at a time taking it steady with the throttle and not steering too hard till you are up to the edge, once you are up to 10mm wide chicken strips boths side you should easily be good to go.
Unless you are a complete lunatic on the road the front tyre will always have about 5mm both sides so don't worry about it.
ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU WARM YOUR TYRES.
I replace my tyres when the profile goes as I hate riding my bike when the steering feels crap.
I hate the rain but Avon do a road legal wet tyre Azaro Pro-Xtreme Rain that is supposed to be good enough for knee down action if you are totally off your rocker.
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcyc...showtyre&id=14