When a motorcycle tyre is being manufactured, the final part of the process is called curing.
This is when the raw tyre is put into a mould and cured under high temperature and high pressure to fully bond all the layers of rubber and chemicals together to produce the desired final product.
In order to remove the tyre from the mould, in most cases the manufacturer will use a release agent. Most of this release agent is removed by the manufacturer but some will remain on the tyre’s surface.
However some manufacturers have developed Teflon moulds which mean that no release agent is required. One of those manufacturers is Continental, whose tyres come out of the mould with a rough and not shiny surface. Continental call this ‘Traction Skin’ and if you feel the surface of their tyres, it is rougher than the average motorcycle tyre.
Just look at the image above, which shows a Continental tyre on the left and a Bridgestone tyre on the right. Both are Sports tyres, both brand new but you can see how the Continental looks pre-scrubbed.
How long does it take to scrub in motorcycle tyres?
That is why tyres carry a warning to scrub them in for a period of time when new. Some manufacturers advise you ride carefully on your tyres for the first 200 miles, which is quite a long time considering the lifespan of the average motorcycle tyre.
However the bedding in process is not just about removing release agents. A tyre also needs to be given time to properly seat on the rim and that’s why we recommend you ride like it is raining for the first 10 miles on new motorcycle tyres, to give them time to bed in and for the surface agents to be removed.
When riding on a new tyre, ride with care, don’t subject the tyre to full acceleration or braking forces and gradually build up your angles of lean.
Leave a Reply