[Jammer]

Hi Everyone:

Is there any..like...rule of thumb on tires heating up time?

I check my tire pressure..perfect...etc. Tires are broken in.

Beautiful day on Sunday..so I took out the Gixxer...and...after about 100 yards..I pop'd the clutch..and the rear wheel spun.

Usually before I pop the clutch I do a few test rev's to see if the rear wheel grabs...but I was wondering..if there is any rule of thumb on tire heating time. On a normal summer day. Say...around 70 degrees outside..on standard blacktop. Plus, is there a difference on concrete pavement?

 

[inspiron]

Your tires will need a few minutes to get up to temperature ... basically I use the same rule as the engine temperature. When I start out, the engine is cold and so are the tires. After about 10 minutes, the engine oil is up to temperature, and so are (hopefully) my tires.

I would make sure that everything (engine and tires) are at operating temperature before popping the clutch (what were you trying to do, a wheelie?). Doing that with cold metal is just shortening the life of those parts ... :roll:

 

[Jammer]

Yeah I didn't want to just come out and say it. Yeah a wheelie. Bike was sitting at the park for some time. Yes you're right on the cold parts. The moment just hit me. Normally I'd wait for riding a bit..then test the rear tire grab with a few bursts.

 

[Jammer]

Clicked it off too quick.

My main concern was...if the rear tire broke too quick...with the tires cold...I'm not sure of the friction of the tires when cornering.

After all this time riding..my fear is when going into a corner..that the tires won't grip. Not sure why.

 

[Clint]

Doesn't matter how warm they are if you pop the clutch. Some degree of modulation is always required (unless you're on a Rebel 250).

 

[Jammer]

Thank you.

Here's the crux of it all. Have you had this happen. It's like I'm going through some sort of fear..some kind of stage. Friday I was out cruising looking at the sites of Harrisburg. This guy on this Busa..pulled a wheelie and lost it.

Saturday morning...I took my bike out going over to a kid's soccer game...and popped the clutch..and the rear tire broke..not bad..just alittle spin. Later that day....a guy on a liter Gixxer pulled his front wheel up...seconds I heard this siren right behind me. Scared the Sh*t outta me. He got pulled over.

Sunday...when riding...I just took it easy....no tearing up the streets...no popping clutch.

That kinda thing happen to anyone else? In some ways it feels like you lost your edge. Then again...maybe it's with getting married again in the back of my mind it's saying, "Take it easy now..you have people depending on you."

Figured I'd ask.

 

[inspiron]

I think it's called "growing up".

Watching a guy drop his 'Busa should be enough "reality" for anyone - just think what that moment of stupidity cost: Fairings and paint if you are lucky, a complete frame adjustment or total loss if it lands badly. Plus the reduced resale value of the bike. That's a pretty irresponsible way to handle $11,000 worth of machine, right?

 

[Jammer]

Yeah you're probably right.

Just what a wake-up call when I saw that bike spinning with the plastic going all over the road. It must have taken us 30 mins at least to pick up all the parts that flew off that Busa. Rider wasn't hurt. Just some bad bruises.

Still feels like I got the Fear of something to behave.

 

[LayinLo]

If you're spinning your rear tire after popping the clutch, your not 'clutching' it correctly. Slip the clutch in just enough for the engine to stop pulling and release it smoothly. You should not have to pull it all the way in and dump it. Thats how you do rolling burn-outs.

Keep practicing and stay safe. Find an empty parking lot to practice this kinda stuff in.

 

[inspiron]

Just one question ... do you guys pay your own way? I'm looking for a new rear tire for my bike (a 190/50-17) and they all list around $200! Who can afford to lay down that kind of money just to be "cool" for a few minutes? :roll:

 

[Jammer]

I pay my own way. Now my Gixxer takes a 180 and the Dunlop at the dealership costs me $160.00. My problem lately hasn't been trying to look kewl and burn the tires..but because of nails. In one year due to nails I've replaced my rear tire 3 times.

 

[LayinLo]

Definitely pay my own way. A tire only costs me about $100 + shipping from www.parts411.com or I can buy a tire from a local shop for around $130-150.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

My mommy buys my tires.

[EDIT: Not really. :roll: ]

 

[Jammer]

Question to those that buy their own tires. I know it is cheaper...but do you put them on yourselves? If so how do you balance them. Most the guys I know that are putting their own tires on don't balance them.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

I'm going to start. If the dealerships want our business . . . $25-25 per tire to mount ain't the way to win it over (that's for sure)!!

I have a link somewhere . . .

Can't find it. I believe that you balance them by putting the axle on a level surface and spinning the wheel. You let it stop, mark the low spot (I'm winging it here), verify that it is (in fact) the heavy spot and put a weight on the other side. Then you see if the weight's sufficient by re-doing the whole thing. Like I said, I have a link . . . I just have to find it.

 

[LayinLo]

I'm going to start. If the dealerships want our business . . . $25-25 per tire to mount ain't the way to win it over (that's for sure)!!

I have a link somewhere . . .

Can't find it. I believe that you balance them by putting the axle on a level surface and spinning the wheel. You let it stop, mark the low spot (I'm winging it here), verify that it is (in fact) the heavy spot and put a weight on the other side. Then you see if the weight's sufficient by re-doing the whole thing. Like I said, I have a link . . . I just have to find it.

Sounds interesting.

 

[prekarious1]

I know quite a few people that buy race take-off's for just having fun on. cheap and effective

 

[Clint]

You can also line up the heavy side of the tire (marked by manufacturer) with the light side of the wheel.

 

[Thunder]

Fear is good to have. you have to know your limits. Why are you using the clutch to bring the front end up. I have the same bike you do and use all motor to bring it up. just make sure your tires are good and warm. I usually wait a good 5 to 10 miles then they should be nice and warm.

 

[Jammer]

Fear is good to have. you have to know your limits. Why are you using the clutch to bring the front end up. I have the same bike you do and use all motor to bring it up. just make sure your tires are good and warm. I usually wait a good 5 to 10 miles then they should be nice and warm.

Thunder fellow 750 Gixxer.There's just times when I roll along at about 5mph and wish to bring up the front end and ride it for the stretch of road ahead of me. Almost always it's never a problem for me. The rear wheel just broke on me...normally I wouldn't care. Just thought I'd ask this time on on tire heat up. Just a change I'm going through I guess. Interesting though...if it's reality check or "growing up" different that it happens at the age of 46 of all times. It's no biggie..just strange to have it happen after all this time...after seen that guy on the Busa go down on his wheelie.