Running in tyres?

[Shep]

Hi All

I got to fit a pair of tyres to my R12GS after reading all the threads i think i'll go for 020's this time, as my off roading at the moment is restricted to about 1/4 mile of gravel/dirt track its not worth the dual purpose element of the Trailwings (fitted) or Tourances.

Question is:

Normally I would try and run the tyre in for 100 dry weather miles
This seems to give the tyre a longer life and a bit more grip when bedded in.
Trouble is we are not getting any dry roads at the moment so the prospect of 100 dry miles seems remote.

Would a set of tyre warmers help remove the release compounds trapped in the rubber?

Or is the running in just to rough up the surface?

Regards Shep

 

[Russ]

Just ride them in the wet, they will wear down soon enough...if you are going to run them in through the rain, give it an extra 50 or so miles.

Running in tyres doesn't have to be about tippy toeing around for 100 miles, just ride smoothly and build up lean angles slowly...build up speed, braking and lean progressively and they'll bed in fine

WHat did you have on the 12 before the 020's?

Please let us know what you think of them compared to what you previously had in both wet and dry conditions plus obviously longevity

Cheers

 

[Dave Price]

You will find the O2Os steer much quicker than the pseudo off road tyres fitted as standard. Don't mistake this for the tyres slipping. They (020s) are brilliant in all conditions on the GS1200, albeit, you'll probably find that the rear will only last 4-5000 miles.

 

[Mouse]

My rear Dunlop D607 as supplied with the bike is going to be dead by 5000 miles too. Currently at 4600 and it's looking pretty shabby.

 

[Russ]

You will find the O2Os steer much quicker than the pseudo off road tyres fitted as standard. Don't mistake this for the tyres slipping. They (020s) are brilliant in all conditions on the GS1200, albeit, you'll probably find that the rear will only last 4-5000 miles.

be just like my VFR then

I 'may' try the 020s but i'm not sure it would 'look right' on the GS. I've seen an 1150 with 020s and it just doesn't look 'right'.

I managed to get my knee down on a tourance rubbered 1150 and i scrapped the 1200 pegs (on both mine and the demo bike) on the same tyres, so come summer i think they'll be fine, plus the tourances in rain and winter are so far as good (if not better in some respects) compared to the 020s on my VFR...but its all apples and oranges really

 

[Dave Price]

You can get your knee down and touch the pegs with the worst tyres in the world. It doesn't mean the tyre is stable, steers nicely or is long lived, if that's what you are looking for.

 

[Russ]

You can get your knee down and touch the pegs with the worst tyres in the world. It doesn't mean the tyre is stable, steers nicely or is long lived, if that's what you are looking for.

indeed, horses for courses i guess, but for me i have to be confident in the tyre before 'pushing it'

I have never tried the Metzler tyres before, as i have always had bridgestones of all flavours on my 600s and VFRs, so changing brands (as well as bikes) requires a 'learning curve of confidence'

My £0.02