I put on some new tires on my KLR the other day and went through a roundabout that I’ve been through a bunch of times. As I was in the lean, the rear end decided to slip out and I pooped a little but throttled it out. All was good, except a gash on my boot, probably from my foot flailing around…
New tires as you now know will have silicon mold release agent on them. It’s really slippery stuff. Worse, it will hang out on the edge of the tire for months until you lean just a little further than usual. Soapy water and a green scotch bright pad will take it off fairly easily.
Seems like an issue that should be taken care of in the factory itself instead of putting customers in danger.
Well yes, you’re not wrong, but the mold release also protects the tire from oxygen in the air, extending it’s shelf life. It makes the tire easier to move and ship, as well as mount the first time. The reality is that until something better comes along it’s here to stay. A little preventative effort can save your butt. Literally.
I’ve always been super careful with new tires but now I know why! TIL.