how long do tires take to warm up? - Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums

toronto_nic · #1 09-20-2012, 09:10 AM

so, as the weather starts getting colder, i'm always aware in the morning to not push the bike too hard on cold pavement.

question is, how long does it take for tires to warm up to reach maximium grip? I know tires differ, but in general?

any ideas?

randyo · #2 09-20-2012, 09:26 AM

sometimes they never warm up

unless yer riding like your doing a track day, its shouldn't be an issue, if you have a concern, drop the psi a pound or 2, to let them get hotter

darcy · #3 09-20-2012, 09:58 AM

did a little test a couple weeks ago, plus 8 c in Kamloops, put laser temp gun in pocket and rode for 20 min at 80-100kms hr,came to a quick stop whipped out temp gun back tire read115 f front 105f. If I understand it correctly most m/c tires do not begin to work very well until the 120 f and up range (could be mistaken on that )

V-Tom · #4 09-20-2012, 09:59 AM

I found that my Tourance (Non-XP) don't really drop off much traction wise in the cold even at -16c. Realistically, I don't push the bike much in those conditions but I didn't really feel a great deal of difference.

..Tom

PTRider · #5 09-20-2012, 12:26 PM

Another way to check is with the air pressure. I've read that one wants to adjust their cold inflation pressure to give a 10% increase in air pressure after the warm up. Lower tire pressure lets the tire flex more and warm up more.

If you do some checking, pls let us know what you find.

Stromburger · #6 09-20-2012, 02:01 PM

Tourance have a reputation for handling the cold. Never had a problem with them. But I have heard of accidents due to pushing the bike on a cold day before the tires have warmed. Local motorcycle salesman went down on an on ramp b/c of it. I believe Greywolfe had the rear slip out on him just last week b/c of cold tires. I'm just a little careful for the first 10 min in cold weather.

V-Tom · #7 09-20-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stromburger

Tourance have a reputation for handling the cold. Never had a problem with them. But I have heard of accidents due to pushing the bike on a cold day before the tires have warmed. Local motorcycle salesman went down on an on ramp b/c of it. I believe Greywolfe had the rear slip out on him just last week b/c of cold tires. I'm just a little careful for the first 10 min in cold weather.

I have heard of those issues as well. I don't waste my gas or my engine's life by sitting there warming the bike so I just start it and ride but ride reasonably for the first five minutes or so. That means that I'm not mormally booting it until the engine is warm and in that time the tires would be plenty warm. There is one spot where I may have to crank it to enter a local highway and even then (might be two minutes from home) I haven't seen any issues with cold traction with the Tourances. I have warned my GF that her Gladius may need some time for her tires to warm.

..Tom