Overinflating tires for winter storage.
I'm kinda forced to store my bike "on the ground" for the winter. Whats a safe pressure to pump the tires to to prevent flat spots? Or wont they flat spot if stored on the ground for 3 months? For reference (if it makes a difference) they're NTEC slicks.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
forced to not use stands? At least buy some foam mats for under the tires? If your really hurting for cash at least some cardboard will keep the cold off.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
get some foam anti-fatigue mats to park the bike on. 40psi front and rear would probably be fine.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
In 22 yrs of street riding, I never once did anything to prevent flat-spotting my tires over winter....and I don't recall ever hopping on in April only to find my tires were flat-spotted,LOL
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
omnivore
In 22 yrs of street riding, I never once did anything to prevent flat-spotting my tires over winter....and I don't recall ever hopping on in April only to find my tires were flat-spotted,LOL
Even in the ancient days of nylon tires, any flat spots caused by extended cold weather parking would go away after a very short distance of driving.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
omnivore
In 22 yrs of street riding, I never once did anything to prevent flat-spotting my tires over winter....and I don't recall ever hopping on in April only to find my tires were flat-spotted,LOL
Agreed. 18 years of riding and it's never been an issue.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
I've been advised to top up the pressure to max. anyway over the winter - simply because it drops with cold temperature. Although if you're riding, wlll that matter?
Do flat tires wear and bend (and become more prone to damage) over the winter?
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Don't leave soft race rubber in the cold, unless you plan on replacing it when next season starts. There is a big difference between street compunds and track compounds. Track compounds are really not designed to handle the cold.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
store the wheels inside?
ive got a pair of stands i can lend out...
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Over the years I have never had any issues with flat spotting street tires or race slicks.
Having said that, tire compositions have and are changing recently. For example this summer at Mosport Race Track a Pirelli rep told us that motorcycle sport tires now have next to no rubber in them any more and as a result they will crack in cold weather such as below freezing temperature.
I saw a newish front Pirelli tire that looked like it had been cut by a razor across a tread block all the way down to the base of the tread. The tire had been on a friend's bike last winter which had been stored in an outside tin shed, unheated. The Pirelli rep said they have seen this often. The compounds in modern motorcycle tires do not like the cold.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
I have seen go-kart racers wrap their slicks in saran wrap or food plastic cling film. It supposed to keep the tires "fresher, longer" while in storage. Any truth to this?
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ikan
For example this summer at Mosport Race Track a Pirelli rep told us that motorcycle sport tires now have next to no rubber in them any more and as a result they will crack in cold weather such as below freezing temperature.
So what does that mean for everyone else that stores motorcycle in a unheated garage ?
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kiterider
So what does that mean for everyone else that stores motorcycle in a unheated garage ?
I'm pretty sure that you're fine. It doesn't go below freezing in your garage, does it?
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
I put in 35-40 psi, and move the bike a bit every few weeks
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Charles Darwin
I'm pretty sure that you're fine. It doesn't go below freezing in your garage, does it?
Pretty sure it does; At least in Mid Jan to Feb. It's not heated right now, although I'd love to get it done this winter.
I didn't have any tire issues last season, so I'm interested if anyone else has seen this happen!!
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kiterider
So what does that mean for everyone else that stores motorcycle in a unheated garage ?
. Do you have Pirelli race tires on your bike?
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kiterider
Pretty sure it does; At least in Mid Jan to Feb. It's not heated right now, although I'd love to get it done this winter.
I didn't have any tire issues last season, so I'm interested if anyone else has seen this happen!!
This is my first year with the bike, and every year before we parked a car in the garage. I know it never went below freezing because all of the ice/snow/crap that collected on the wheel wells during the day was water in the morning. This is a good thing for the bike because a) it's liquid cooled and b) it has a lead/acid battery. I don't want any of those liquids freezing.
As for the tires - I think that most of us have standard rubber tires that seem to do fine in the winter. I'll let you know in March, I guess - I've got a brand new Bridgestone Spitfire on the front.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
I read a few of the replies, and my apologies for posting in this thread. My bad! I'm the idiot.
I didn't realize that this thread was the track section. So I presume this issue is probably for race tires only.
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kiterider
I read a few of the replies, and my apologies for posting in this thread. My bad! I'm the idiot.
I didn't realize that this thread was the track section. So I presume this issue is probably for race tires only.
Me neither! Guess should ask the mods to move it?
Re: Overinflating tires for winter storage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Charles Darwin
Me neither! Guess should ask the mods to move it?
Might not be necessary. I guess the OP put it in here since it's probably specific to race tires.