Street Riding and Tire Temp

**Frankie6** · 09-17-2009, 11:49 AM

I live in flat land long straights USA. On my daily commute, I ride about 6 miles of straight road and come up to a wicked on ramp.

Each day I pretend I am Valentino, set up for the ramp, and go at it. However, as its my first real turn of the ride and I am apprehensive to really hit it like I want.

Now my question.

How well does heat transfer through the rubber of motorcycle street tires? I realize different compounds will be better than others. Furthermore, I understand the importance of warm tires, but can I assume that straight line friction is enough in 6 miles to transfer warmth to the outer edges of my tires to keep traction on some quality, lean that bitch over kind of turns?

**moto** · 09-17-2009, 12:37 PM

No, you won't build much temperature at all just riding straight and easy for any amount of mileage. Temperature is built in a tire by stretching the tire. On a motorcycle, unlike a car, swerving is also completely useless. It does not flex the tire like it does when you put a load on an automobile tire.

The best way to get temperature into a cold motorcycle tire is bursts of hard acceleration and hard braking.

**Frankie6** · 09-17-2009, 05:26 PM

Awesome info, moto. That's exactly the type of info I was looking for. Thanks

**DangerDog** · 09-17-2009, 06:18 PM

+1 on moto's comment. Hard brakes and accelerations to build heat. I'd still be a bit apprehensive on harder compound street tires.

**renegade** · 09-17-2009, 06:41 PM

i really hope ur not trying to test the limits on freeways on ramps

**ThrillKillxoxo** · 09-17-2009, 06:56 PM

I like to slap my tires around and show them pics of rims, usually gets my tires pretty hot.

**Frankie6** · 09-18-2009, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by renegade

i really hope ur not trying to test the limits on freeways on ramps

Thanks, Mom. No, I really don't push that hard because of the danger. I've been down before, it blows! Keep in mind i'm not on an sportbike either. The speed you would carry through these turns is significantly higher than my ride is capable of. In my defense though, the ramp I do take everyday is newly paved with a field runoff.

I wanted to ask this question because I do stay within my comfort zone. Anymore than what I presently give would be teetering on dangerous or inappropriate street riding. I'm neither scraping pegs nor dragging knees. I just wanted to verify that I am staying within both the bike's and my capabilities...which I am

I do know what you were getting at though. Keep the stupidity off the streets!