Page 1 of 2

how do you check if your tires are warm enough?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:29 am
by VermilionX
do you just ride around, nothing daring and then stop and feel the wheel?

and how warm is warm enough if you do touch it to check?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:48 am
by storysunfolding
Are you talking about getting them really hot so you can grab corners better? If so I'd put a hold on that for awhile since I recall you just asking about how far you can lean and thinking 45 degrees was way over.

However, you can do a few things to actively warm your tires up. Putting them in higher stress conditions- quick swerves, some fast slow downs etc and the friction will warm them up. Remember that the ambient temperature has a lot to play here as well. When it's cold out, even trying to warm up your tires you aren't going to get them anywhere near where they'd be on a warm day.

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:26 am
by CNF2002
Also make sure you check your tire pressure regularly.

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:53 am
by JustJames
Just do some usual ride or swerving back and forth for a couple minutes and that will warm up the tire enough for you to be confident of your tire's traction. As mention check your tire pressure regularly, lower pressure for better traction but short life, higher pressure you'd get a long life tire but lack of traction. Check your owner manual for pressure recomendation.

The problem of cold tire is normally for ppl live in very cold/snow country. We are in sunny state so don't have to worry much unless you start up at very early in the morning or wanna do twisty at midnight. :laughing:

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:52 am
by Shiv
Swerving doesn't heat up your tires.

It's been tested and there was no difference other than looking weird.

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:40 am
by Jamers!
Shiv wrote:Swerving doesn't heat up your tires.

It's been tested and there was no difference other than looking weird.


then why do all auto racers swerve durring the warm up laps and durring yellow flags? I dont know how much of a difference there is between auto and cycle rubber but it would seem to me like swerving may help warm em up.



JWF

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:05 pm
by Sev
You don't, you take it easy for the first couple of blocks then work your way up to the bigger turns. If you're careful and pay attention to the bike you'll realise that your back end is going to be slipping out from under you before it happens.

As with everything else you need to work up to it, get to know your bike, and practise practise practise.

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:36 pm
by Shiv
I don't know, ignorance?

You may want to read this.
The conclusion surprised even the experts. It did absolutely nothing, except cause crashes.
The short of it.

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:32 pm
by Mintbread
That appears to apply to race tyres, not road tyres.

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:21 pm
by VermilionX
oh yeah, i was asking this for future references.

i don't intend to try any agressive leans anymore until i get supervison under an experienced rider w/ twisty or track experience.

im still taking your advice guys... i'll hold of until i get taught how to do it.

thanks for the answers. :D