Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
- ranger l
- Regular
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:08 pm
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: '84/Yamaha/xs400 Maxim
- Location: Guelph, ON, Canada
Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
Yesterday, I heard this story from someone who got ArmorAll too far around on the tire tread. As soon as he leaned into the first turn, he was down.
When I hear stuff like that, it's not hard to wonder if my confidence will return if I take the leap and start up again after 36 years. If I do, I will be now be reassured to see the telltale faded grey tinge of neglect on my tires.
When I hear stuff like that, it's not hard to wonder if my confidence will return if I take the leap and start up again after 36 years. If I do, I will be now be reassured to see the telltale faded grey tinge of neglect on my tires.
- HYPERR
- Legendary 3000
- Posts: 3159
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:13 am
- Sex: Male
- My Motorcycle: Year/Make/Model
- Location: CT, USA
Re: Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
Am I reading this correctly??? This guy actually put Armor-All on the sidewall of a motorcycle tire???ranger l wrote:Yesterday, I heard this story from someone who got ArmorAll too far around on the tire tread. As soon as he leaned into the first turn, he was down.
When I hear stuff like that, it's not hard to wonder if my confidence will return if I take the leap and start up again after 36 years. If I do, I will be now be reassured to see the telltale faded grey tinge of neglect on my tires.

2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS
- ranger l
- Regular
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:08 pm
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: '84/Yamaha/xs400 Maxim
- Location: Guelph, ON, Canada
Re: Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
Years ago, I used to just hose down my S1A and go. Some folks though are really into detailing and having the bike look perfect.
ArmorAll makes our car tires look like new (for a while) so I guess careful application on the sidewalls was part of this fellow's detailing routine. One day, he used too much, it ran down a little low and on to the part of the tread that hits the pavement on a corner.
That's why, if my bike were to look merely hosed off, I could feel proud of myself for putting safety first - nothing to do with laziness after all!
ArmorAll makes our car tires look like new (for a while) so I guess careful application on the sidewalls was part of this fellow's detailing routine. One day, he used too much, it ran down a little low and on to the part of the tread that hits the pavement on a corner.
That's why, if my bike were to look merely hosed off, I could feel proud of myself for putting safety first - nothing to do with laziness after all!

- ceemes
- Legendary 2000
- Posts: 2153
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:35 pm
- Real Name: a big secret
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 26
- My Motorcycle: 1998 Triumph Trophy
- Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada, Sol 3, the Milky Way Galaxy, the Known Universe.
Re: Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
Oh lordy lordy, Armour-All it the last thing want anywhere near a motorcycle. 'Bout 20 years ago or so, a buddy and I were putting the finished touchs on an RD400 he was rebuilding. His girlfriend was bored so we gave a bottle of Armour-All and told to touch the body work, figuring it would do no harm and keep her occupied for a bit. Well, we got the bike finished and decide to go for a boot, with yours truely riding dogs. Turned out she had applied a very liberal coating of the stuff to the saddle, when he gunned it, we damn near slide off, and when he applied the brakes, well let just say I almost got to know him in the biblical sense.




Always ask why.


- ranger l
- Regular
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:08 pm
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: '84/Yamaha/xs400 Maxim
- Location: Guelph, ON, Canada
Re: Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
Thanks L-1k,
With a set-up like that, you two could have been feature performers in the PRIDE Parade.
Seriously, since this Forum is about safety and not lifestyle, the caution needs to be "Don't ArmorAll the bottoms OR the tops".
With a set-up like that, you two could have been feature performers in the PRIDE Parade.
Seriously, since this Forum is about safety and not lifestyle, the caution needs to be "Don't ArmorAll the bottoms OR the tops".
-
- Site Supporter - Gold
- Posts: 5285
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:46 pm
- Real Name: Ryan
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Re: Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
I've seen the armoralled seat before, that's always entertaining to watch.
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
- totalmotorcycle
- Administrator
- Posts: 30002
- Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2003 1:00 pm
- Real Name: Mike
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 34
- My Motorcycle: 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
- Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Re: Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
Armour-All... they really should ban that stuff, it's not good for much, makes everything too slippery on a bike or a car! haha.
NEW 2025 Motorcycle Model Guides
2024 Motorcycle Model Guides
Total Motorcycle is official Media/Press for Aprilia, Benelli, Beta, Bimota, BMW, Brammo, Buell, Can-Am, CCW, Ducati, EBR, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Husaberg, Hyosung, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, LiveWire, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Norton, Phantom, Piaggio, Polaris, Ridley, Roehr, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Ural, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha and Zero.
2024 Motorcycle Model Guides
Total Motorcycle is official Media/Press for Aprilia, Benelli, Beta, Bimota, BMW, Brammo, Buell, Can-Am, CCW, Ducati, EBR, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Husaberg, Hyosung, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, LiveWire, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Norton, Phantom, Piaggio, Polaris, Ridley, Roehr, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Ural, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha and Zero.
- ranger l
- Regular
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:08 pm
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: '84/Yamaha/xs400 Maxim
- Location: Guelph, ON, Canada
Re: Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
I might not ban it outright - does make CAR tires look nice.
But I would definitely ban the sale of it to, and the use of it by, used car dealers!
But I would definitely ban the sale of it to, and the use of it by, used car dealers!

- High_Side
- Site Supporter - Platinum
- Posts: 4534
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 2:05 pm
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 48
- My Motorcycle: Desert-X, CB1100F, CRF300 Rally, Nightha
- Location: Calgary AB, Can
Re: Don't ArmorAll the bottoms!
My buddy of mine did this to the seat of my DT200 when I was 14Wrider wrote:I've seen the armoralled seat before, that's always entertaining to watch.


Visit:
High_Side's Trips and Pics
High_Side's Trips and Pics