I am a new rider and recently had a new back tyre fitted to my bike. I was warned to be very careful before leaving the tyre place, as new tyres are still quite slick even after being wiped down with acetone.
On exiting the driveway I lent the bike over, hit the gas and watched as the bike spun out from underneath me. 
I was blessed … I only sustained a tear to the inside ligament of my right knee and after a few cosmetic repairs was able to ride the bike home.
I would like to stress strongly that this is a common occurrence, usually resulting in a high side accident. For all our readers…
When getting a new tyre, my advice is:
- Firstly, look at the tyre … is it still shiny? Ask the techs if they wouldn’t mind re-washing the tyre with acetone and maybe even ask them to take your bike for another ride.
- Secondly, be careful which translate to “Stay upright when cornering. Go slowly around corners and gradually begin to lean the bike over as the slick wears off. This means for the first 200km.”
Use my experience so it doesn’t become your own.
Safe Riding
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You were warned to be careful yet you “lent the bike over, hit the gas.” ??? Ouch. Well, tx for sharing your experience of how not to do it.
There are dozens of articles on the net about this and everyone has their favorite theory/method on scrubbing in new tires.
Hope your knee ligament comes right, and that it’s the last fall for the life of that tire.
Cheers,
Comment by Stevec — Dec 21 @ 11:00 amJust had my tire changed on the back, and something I found help was for the first time, I put a pillion onto the back, and I found that it helped keep traction better as a bit more of the tire was touching the ground. I know some people might kill me for doing that on a new tire, but it seemed to work for me
Comment by pdean8 — Jun 6 @ 2:17 pmI’ve found that after getting new tyres front or rear, that as you are traveling do slalems in your lane for as long as you can, and everytime you get on the bike helps scuff up the tyre. I dont know about running a tyre in for 200klm as stated in the article but most shops tell you to be carefull for 80klm, ive found doing the slalems at speed (60-80kph) tyre is fine after 50klm
Comment by Bugsy — Aug 4 @ 8:48 am“wiped down with acetone”!!!!!!!!
Comment by Steve — Aug 4 @ 12:30 pmI am amazed people do this. Ask any tyre manufacturer what they think of it!!
Using chemicals to wash tyres when new seems to be very commonplace in Australia. I had never even considered it and if i had asked for it to be done in the UK, i would have been laughed out of the shop.
I suggest you contact any tyre manufacturer about what you are recommending people do to new tyres. They will tell you absolutely NO to chemicals. Just wash with soapy water and rinse if you really feel you are unable to scrub in through normal riding.
From: Michelin [mailto:webmaster@au.michelin.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 11:46 AM
To:
Subject: Reply from Michelin
Thanks for your message. Yes, you are correct in your questioning of this action. Michelin do not recommend any washing of tyres with chemicals such as acetone. Our recommendations on new tyres concern pressures, running-in period and so forth as detailed on the website. best regards Michelin Australia
Comment by Steve — Oct 18 @ 9:11 amsteve has it right who would wipe a tyre with acetone? and most manufacuters do recomend 100 mile runing in. I keep the bike fairly upright and am very easy on the trotle in corners, on the way home. each day leaning the bike a bit more agressivly. after a tank of fuel I forget about it and ride as normal
Comment by jmck — Sep 13 @ 4:04 pmA new tyre is covered in chemicals to give it a better shelf life and make it look new and shiny…
Use your common sense
..ride it slow and careful for first 10 mins..
until tyre is warmed up the surface area in contact with the tar cleans itself so ride like you are on a wet road..gently…
putting a pillion on is not the answer though it may hopefully cause you to ride more gently than normal.
Putting chemicals such as acetone could cause more damage ..
Bike shops are required to warn people of the initial slipperiness and most do ..if only people will listen…
I remember one mob who used to run a grinder across the surface of the tyre and rough it all up before fitment..taking a mill or so off ..I paid for a new tyre with full tread..
Comment by Paul W — Jun 16 @ 6:06 amnot a worn one..!
Brains ..use them !
I used to sell and fit motorcycle tyres. We used Tip-Top liquid buffer to clean them. If you ever felt the difference you would know why. The manufacturers are never going to condone the use but what is the issue? In years of using it there was never an issue with the tyres after using it. What is it supposed to do - rot the tyre?
We would still tell riders to be careful but no point in putting a Km range on it. Better to say ride it like it is raining then gradually lean further and further over.
Comment by gbyrnes — Jul 24 @ 4:44 pm