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When you’re trying to get the perfect look of your motorcycle, it’s normal to think of applying some tire shine to the tires. However, is using tire dressing on motorcycles safe? Today, I’ll give you an answer to this question, and also dive deep into this topic, and explain everything.
You should never use tire shine products on any motorcycle. Tire dressings are making tires slippery, and you could lose traction even in the smallest corners, which can lead to an accident and potential injuries.
That’s the quick answer, but I want to dig deeper into this topic and show you everything you need to know. I want everyone to be as conscious as possible, especially when it’s about bikes.
I see too many people recommending some tire shine products for motorcycles. When you tell them that it’s dangerous, they say that they’re safe drivers who don’t go fast. In my opinion, that’s not a good enough justification.
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Tire dressings are chemical formulas made for restoring black rubber on car tires. Mostly, dressings are made of solvent-based and silicone-based materials, together with oils. Those materials penetrate through the rubber, restoring it to the like-a-new look.
As you can imagine, with the oils inside, those products are incredibly slick, and when they come in contact with tires, they become slippery.
It’s fantastic to use tire dressings on cars. They give the tires an excellent brand-new look and protect them from UV rays and other harmful factors.
Car tires are always straight on the road, and they don’t tilt a lot, which keeps the exact grip all the time. The dressed area of the car tire can never touch the road.
However, when it comes to motorcycles, the story is different. When riding through corners, your bike tilts. When tilting, the grip area of the tire on the road is much smaller, and if it is slippery, you will very easily slip and fall off the motorcycle.
That can lead to unwanted traffic accidents, and even worse, injuries of you and other traffic participants.
I think that there’s no doubt in comparing appearance and safety. Anyone objective would always go for safety. Unless you’re a fool (no offense), who wants to push a bike to the limits, and it’s a matter of a time when you’ll have an accident.
Motorcycles are always the most vulnerable group in traffic. You should be aware of that whenever you sit on your bike.
You should always know what’s safe and what’s not.
When it comes to tire dressings, it’s just not safe to apply them to any motorcycle. Don’t rely on safe and slow driving.
The only advice I can give to you is: if you want your tires to look nice, shiny, and new, wash them thoroughly more often, and don’t ride your bike on old tires.
You probably know that motorcycle tires should be replaced more often than car tires, and you should always keep that in mind. I was driving cars with 10-year-old tires (and they looked brand new). It’s not something I’m proud of, but I would never do something similar on a bike.
Even though I generally don’t recommend using any tire dressings on motorcycle tires, there might be situations when you could use it.
You can consider using tire dressings in these two situations:
However, you should only dress the tires if you won’t drive the bike on the road. IMPORTANT: if you decide to apply tire dressing in the situations above, before riding your bike again, make sure to wash the wheels and tires thoroughly and remove all of the dressing, so the tires aren’t slippery anymore.
Also, if you decide to use tire dressings in those two situations, make sure still never to use the product on the tire’s tread area.
As I already told you, to keep your tires look nice and black, you should regularly detail your motorcycle and thoroughly clean the wheels and tires.
The process is pretty much the same as washing car wheels and tires, but the difference is that you shouldn’t apply tire dressing (As said above).
Steps for washing motorcycle wheels and tires:
That’s the correct way of maintaining your motorcycle tires – without using any tire dressing and protection.
I hope that you’re now aware of the dangers of applying dressings to motorcycle tires. You need to know how the motorcycle operates, and everything’s completely clear.
Yes, I know that your motorcycle won’t always look fancy because of “dirty” and old-looking tires, but that’s the only safe way. Maintain them by regular washings, and that’s all. Just remember not to use any dressings at all, even if you see some recommendations.
Until they make some product specific for motorcycle tires and do all the researches, I’d wait. Please don’t rely on some forum comments from people that are unaware of those dangers. I wish you safe rides and many, many happy miles with your bike.
by Chris Stevenson
Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Motorcycles require frequent cleaning regiments, since they constantly are exposed to the environment. Harsh UV light, moisture, road salt, mud, dust, tar, oils, oxidation, acid rain and other contaminants contribute to the deterioration of metals, plastics and rubber. Motorcycle tires endure the most punishment, since they have direct contact with water and caustic chemicals.
Regular tire washing helps keep the rubber clean and chemical free. For those owners who wish to dress and blacken their motorcycle tires, a few techniques and precautions should be followed.
Stabilize the motorcycle on its utility kickstand, if it has one. Ensure the ground surface has a proper drainage angle and you have a water source with a high-pressure hose. To keep calipers, pads and drum lining dry, mask them off with plastic and duct tape -- if this is a thorough wash -- or be prepared to use compressed air to remove all moisture from brake parts and bearings areas.
Spray both motorcycle wheels with a high-pressure hose and nozzle. Remove the largest accumulations of mud, dirt and dust. Rotate the tires by pushing the motorcycle a few feet, then repeat the process. Mix approximately 1 to 2 ounces of mild dish-washing soap in a 1-gallon bucket of water.
Wet a soft-bristle wheel detailing brush in the soap bucket and clean the rim and tire from the axle outward.
If you have deep tar accumulations, heavy oxidation or brake dust contamination, use a spray-on tire cleaner or brush-on gel. Let the cleaner or gel sit for at least three minutes. Wash both sides of the rim and tire; move the wheel to gain access to hard-to-reach areas such as tires and rim sections covered by fender skirts.
Rinse the rims and tires with high-pressure water, until they are free of all soap or cleaner residue. Blow the rims and tires dry with compressed air and a nozzle. You must remove all water from crevices and deep pockets, paying extra attention to the axle seals, calipers, pads, or brake drums and lining. Move the wheel as needed to reach all parts that would serve as water traps. Finish drying the rims and tires with a microfiber towel.
Apply tire dressing (gloss finish) from a spray can or in liquid form onto an applicator sponge; dampen the sponge -- do not soak it. Wipe the tire dressing onto the tire's surface with smooth, even strokes.
Do not apply tire dressing to the bottom edge of the tire tread. Stop at the bottom part of the sidewall, where it does not make contact with the ground, even allowing for a tire angled in a turn. Apply a light coat to the rubber, re-saturating the sponge as needed. Move the wheels after finishing one section.
Apply a small amount of tire dressing to the exposed rubber part of the valve stem, if desired. After wash and dressing application, roll the motorcycle and test the brakes. When riding the motorcycle after a wash and dressing, make shallow turns with no abrupt accelerations. These precautions ensure you have 100 percent dry rubber contact on the road surface.
Tips
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Warnings
Many dealerships and professional motorcycle detail shops do not recommend the application of any type of tire dressing or tire black. Tire dressing gloss and similar products make the rubber very slippery, and even small dribbles or runs can cause an immediate loss of traction and result in an accident. Writer Bio
Chris Stevenson has been writing since 1988. His automotive vocation has spanned more than 35 years and he authored the auto repair manual "Auto Repair Shams and Scams" in 1990. Stevenson holds a P.D.S Toyota certificate, ASE brake certification, Clean Air Act certification and a California smog license.
A mixture of water and soap will be the best ally for limpiar and their tires when they are moderately soiled, dusty or lightly soiled.
Wet a soft bristled brush in a bucket of soap and clean the llanta and tire from the axle and out. If you have deep tar deposits, heavy rust, or brake dust contamination, use an aerosol cleaner or brush gel.
Recommended ratio is 60/40 (60% glycerol to 40% alcohol) and even brush application. After its application, a shiny film will form on the rubber, which will give the tire a better appearance. nine0007
One of the cheapest and easiest home remedies to eliminate oxide mild with vinegar and a sponge, brush or microfiber cloth and wiping has been said. This is a home remedy that works, you just have to be consistent and patient and try not to use dishwashing sponges that can damage the surface.
First apply WD-40® to llanta or fabric and wait a few seconds. If llanta is very dirty, it is recommended to apply the agent directly to the surface itself. nine0003 llanta . This product will help us remove scale grease and tougher dirt.
First a rag with kerosene, let it work for a while and remove it with a dry rag. Then with another dry rag you rub metallic glitter (they come in a pen and are not expensive, you can find them in any cleaning supply store) and they look like new, unless you missed the chrome ...
If you notice that tires turn yellow even after washing, sand the top layer of the white surface with fine sandpaper. Work slowly and carefully until you see a shiny white layer. Then flush tires with hose.
Soak a sponge or cloth in the first bucket of detergent and wipe the motorcycle with it, and then rinse it in the second bucket with fresh water to remove all dirt from the fabric in the water, then repeat the process until the motorcycle purely.
Mix a few drops of a mild cleanser such as soap. wash dishes and water in a large bucket. Choose cleaners without additives such as bleach because they can cause black paint to fade or discolor.
Candles tires with a cleaner mixture.
With a mixture of equal parts - half water and half glycerin - you will get excellent results and duration of action of the liquid with good value for the price, although if you do not want to take risks, you can make a mixture of tossing 1/3 glycerin and 2/3 water.
If we find cracks or cracks, it's bad business. Water can seep through these grooves, oxidizing the wires of the structure, and even cause a blowout. Cracking is also synonymous with crystallization, the rubber hardens, loses elasticity, the grip will get worse and worse. nine0007
Exposure a extreme climate, improper use and high concentrations de the ozone in the atmosphere is depleted de to speed up the rubber and cause discs to fill cracks de . tires must maintain adequate air pressure de .
How to choose the best tire for a motorcycle? nine0074
The most important point when choosing is that the tire should be the right size for your motorcycle, with the right speed and load.
Choose the tires recommended by your motorcycle manufacturers according to your needs.
Sports tires are a good example - a lot of people think they should buy the stickiest racing tire they can, but unless you're on the track, there's little point in having a tire like this. On the road or in the city, it will not heat up properly, so it will potentially not perform as well as a more road oriented tire, and may not be safe in wet weather. nine0007
When choosing a tire, consider durability, performance, all-weather performance, the types of roads you drive, the luggage you take, and even the climate. There is no better all-season motorcycle tire, although technology has advanced so far in the past few years that you can expect good grip on wet and dry roads, as well as longer life for most modern road tires.
What makes a good tire for different conditions such as dry, rain, snow, etc.? nine0074
The functionality of a good motorcycle tire depends entirely on its design, composition and tread pattern.
Innovations in the materials used are developing rapidly. Thanks to new components, motorcycle tire manufacturers have many options, both in carcass design and rubber compound. The traditional balance of a hard compound for long mileage and a soft compound for moto traction can be changed with additional components that make the rubber behave in completely different ways. nine0007
The design of the tread is critical for water evacuation as well as traction during acceleration and deceleration, which helps generate heat in the tire and improve performance.
For off-road motorcycle tires, traction on loose surfaces is important, as well as durability and mud clearance. Currently, off-road tires are becoming a fashionable trend and are installed on many road motorcycles. Be careful if you ride on pavement - more extreme tires will reduce traction on hard surfaces. nine0007
What does the writing on the side of my tire mean?
In this photo, the tire is 180/55 ZR17 (73 W), which means that its width is 180 mm and the profile height is 55% of the width, i.
e. 99 mm. 17 refers to the rim size - 17 inches - while 71W is for speed and load capacity; 365 kg and (270 km / h). Since the speed index is in parentheses, this means that the tire is capable of going faster than this figure, but if there were no parentheses, this would mean that 270 km / h was the maximum speed. "M/C" simply means that the tire is designed for use on a motorcycle. You can also see the direction of rotation - if the tire is installed incorrectly, its use will not be effective, moreover, it can lead to an accident. nine0007
The maximum load - here it is 365 kg - is the maximum load that the tire can support at standard pressure - in this case 2.90 bar. This is not necessarily the recommended pressure for your motorcycle. Therefore, maintain tire pressure according to the owner's manual or tire manufacturer's recommendations for this motorcycle.
How can I find out how old my tires are?
The production date of any tire manufactured since 2000 can be found on one of the sidewalls at the end of the "DOT" (Department of Transportation) code.
The last four digits - usually after other letters and numbers - indicate the production date. nine0007
The first two are the week it was made, and the last two are the year. So this tire was made in the 9th week of 2017.
Tires used to have a three-digit date code, as it was believed that none of them would be used for more than ten years. But given the markings, it was very difficult to tell if the rubber code 327 was made in week 32, 1997, or week 32, 1987. Just be aware that a 3-digit tire is now too old.
Can I install a camera with a tubeless tire?
Yes, but it's worth checking that there are no loose labels on the inside of the tire that could cause camera problems.
Does the tire speed index change when a tube is installed?
Tube installation does not affect tire speed up to maximum speed (210 km/h). At speeds above 210 km/h, tires without tubes are used.
What is the difference between tube and tubeless tires? nine0074
Briefly, one layer of material inside the tire carcass.
(sealed)
All materials used in the tire are characterized by performance - a balance of grip, flexibility and durability. It may surprise you that the ideal rubber compound is actually porous, but then air will slowly escape. In the past, this problem was solved by installing a tube with a completely different rubber compound and had little effect on the overall performance of the tire.
The biggest disadvantage of this design is that if it gets punctured, the chamber will instantly deflate and the air will quickly escape through the spoke holes on the wheel. Rapid tire deflation on any vehicle creates an increased hazard, especially when driving at speed. nine0007
A tubeless tire using a liner inside the tire carcass, designed for safety as well as weight savings.
Instead of making tube and tubeless tires in the same size, most companies now only make tubeless tires and recommend installing tubes when needed.
Why are new tires slippery?
The final part of tire manufacturing is the curing process - the carcass containing all the component materials is usually placed in a very hot mold and cured under high pressure for about thirty minutes.
To aid in the removal of the cured tire from the mold, a small amount of release agent is applied prior to starting the process. A thin residue of this material remains on the surface of the tyre, which needs to be cleaned up during the service life of the new rubber. nine0007
Some manufacturers have already bypassed this process, and for example Continental has developed a unique way to modify premium molds that eliminates the need for any mold release agents; the finish is slightly rough and provides instant traction when the tire is first used - it's called "Traction Skin".
But a new tire will always be significantly different from an old, worn one, so we still recommend driving with caution at first, increasing speed and lean angle over time. nine0007
If tires have low mileage, how long can they be used?
As long as the tire is stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, chemicals and other ozone exposure, they will last a long time.
Tires age slowly. For example, motorcycle tires from leading manufacturers Michelin, Mitas, Continental. Metzeler, Pirelli in the European market are sold and used as unconditionally new tires for up to five years after the date of manufacture. nine0007
The warranty period for tires starts from the date of purchase, regardless of the date of manufacture. Manufacturers recommend replacing any tires that were manufactured more than ten years after their date of manufacture, but do not recommend buying or running used tires with an unknown history.
Do I need to put the motorcycle on a stand when I am not using it for a long time?
Bikers sometimes worry that they will get warped tires if they leave the motorcycle standing for a long time. In fact, the most important thing to do is just keep them properly inflated. With the correct tire pressure, there is no need to hang the motorcycle. nine0007
How do I check the tire pressure on my motorcycle?
Check the pressure when the tires are cold.
When you ride your motorcycle on the road, the tire warms up and can increase to about 0.5 bar - do not check the tire pressure when they are warm, as they will not be under-inflated the next time you ride.
Important! Use a good quality offline pressure gauge, not the one on your pump or compressor.
What tire pressure should I use on my motorcycle? nine0074
Your motorcycle owner's manual will list the recommended pressure, and sometimes this information is also printed on the motorcycle frame. Use these guidelines, then test your motorcycle extensively. Based on the heat of the rubber and the load (weight) of the motorcycle, determine the safe pressure for a comfortable ride.
Incorrect tire pressure will shorten tire life and may also affect handling. If you use a tire with low pressure, the contact patch may be reduced rather than enlarged because the middle part of the tire is deformed by being lifted by the road. Also, rubber easily overheats and can be damaged.
If you overinflate your tires, they will wear unevenly, handle poorly, and not deliver a comfortable ride. nine0007
Should I reduce tire pressure in wet and cool weather?
No, tires are designed to operate at a certain pressure. Some people depressurize their tires in winter, believing they will hold up better. While driving, the tires will heat up, but the contact patch will be reduced due to deformation, and the tread pattern will work less efficiently. Tires will wear out faster and are moreover considered potentially dangerous.
What is the difference between diagonal and radial tires?
Diagonal tires have a relatively simple design with strong sidewalls and are particularly suitable for off-road use as they carry loads well. They can be used at speeds up to 210 km/h. ° away from him. The breaker that sits under the tread (which is what you see through really badly worn tires) adds stability and enables much higher speeds as the deformation caused by the centripetal force is greatly reduced.
nine0007
Because the sidewalls are thinner, the tire heats up less, so durability at high speeds is improved. Modern motorcycles are focused on the use of radial tires. Radial tires increase by only a few millimeters at speed. Diagonal tire at a speed of 210 km / h can increase up to 20 mm!
Another well-known tire design is the "diagonal belt" - actually a cross bar with a breaker under the tread for extra support, which is suitable for use up to 240 km/h. These tires are marked with the letter "B"
Is it safe to repair motorcycle tires after a puncture?
Manufacturers recommendation
| Tire speed index | to J | J to V | over V |
| Maximum speed per hour | 100 km/h | up to 240 km/h | over 240km/h |
| Maximum damage diameter | 6mm | 3mm | Repair not allowed |
| damage |
|
| |
| Max number of repairs | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Repair work must be carried out using a plug inserted from the inside of the tire and cured.
