Cold morning temperatures

[kwn306]

It was 14 degs this morning when I left for work, the Gerbings just wouldn't keep up, had to turn around and go home and get the cage. Guess I found the limit of heated gear

 

[john zibell]

It was 14 degs this morning when I left for work, the Gerbings just wouldn't keep up, had to turn around and go home and get the cage. Guess I found the limit of heated gear

Kurt,

Are you aware that most motorcycle tires reach their glass point (don't stick much if at all) at about 21 degrees F? The risk from riding at temperatures below 30 is significant.

 

[NeroGuzzi]

Are you aware that most motorcycle tires reach their glass point (don't stick much if at all) at about 21 degrees F? The risk from riding at temperatures below 30 is significant.

John, I first saw you post this information last year. I was not aware of these tire properties. I have since heeded the advice and shared it with other riders. Thanks.

 

[john zibell]

Are you aware that most motorcycle tires reach their glass point (don't stick much if at all) at about 21 degrees F? The risk from riding at temperatures below 30 is significant.

John, I first saw you post this information last year. I was not aware of these tire properties. I have since heeded the advice and shared it with other riders. Thanks.

You are welcome.

 

[kwn306]

It was 14 degs this morning when I left for work, the Gerbings just wouldn't keep up, had to turn around and go home and get the cage. Guess I found the limit of heated gear

Kurt,

Are you aware that most motorcycle tires reach their glass point (don't stick much if at all) at about 21 degrees F? The risk from riding at temperatures below 30 is significant.

Do what??????????? Turn to glass???????? Please explain.

I do realize that tires do not 'stick" until they warm up, hence race cars scuffing or warming up tire during caution laps, or in the case of M/C or F1 racing.......tire heaters.

Been riding for 45+ years and never had a tire not stick in the winter time on dry pavement, granted I'm not hanging out in the corners for the first 20 or so miles, though after a 60 mile speed blast up RT 95 as I am heading around the Pentagon I have been known to double the exit ramp speed as long as the pavement is dry. VDOT just did an exceptional job on that exit, the right curve, banking, etc.

With all the ambulance chasing lawyers in this country why is there not a warning label on the bike or the tires stating "only operate when the OAT is above 30 - 32 F"?

 

[john zibell]

It was 14 degs this morning when I left for work, the Gerbings just wouldn't keep up, had to turn around and go home and get the cage. Guess I found the limit of heated gear

Kurt,

Are you aware that most motorcycle tires reach their glass point (don't stick much if at all) at about 21 degrees F? The risk from riding at temperatures below 30 is significant.

Do what??????????? Turn to glass???????? Please explain.

I do realize that tires do not 'stick" until they warm up, hence race cars scuffing or warming up tire during caution laps, or in the case of M/C or F1 racing.......tire heaters.

Been riding for 45+ years and never had a tire not stick in the winter time on dry pavement, granted I'm not hanging out in the corners for the first 20 or so miles, though after a 60 mile speed blast up RT 95 as I am heading around the Pentagon I have been known to double the exit ramp speed as long as the pavement is dry. VDOT just did an exceptional job on that exit, the right curve, banking, etc.

With all the ambulance chasing lawyers in this country why is there not a warning label on the bike or the tires stating "only operate when the OAT is above 30 - 32 F"?

Hey, it is your hide, do what you want. I had a rear tire not stick at 27 degrees. I still have the hardware from my ankle to prove it. I thought the parenthetical expression explained glass point. It is the point where friction (traction) is no longer available from the material. Yes if you ride it for some time, the tire will warm some, but not much. Generated heat will dissipate quickly at low ambient temperatures. Also the higher the speed rating of the tire, the higher the temperature needs to be for good traction. I too did a little riding at low temperatures until I took a tire seminar at a SMSA (State motorcycle safety administrators) conference some years ago. I've even ridden at just 10 above zero since my car wouldn't start, but the Guzzi did. I know better now and won't push my luck.

 

[kwn306]

John,

I do not doubt what you are saying, but I have never heard of such a thing. Could you forward me to an area that I could read about this? Someone also needs to tell the 100's of bikes that ride to the Pentagon and State Dept every morning @ below freezing temps.

The bikes are tucked away in the garage this morning, somehow we ended up with about 1-1/2" of snow this morning and it was still coming down at 4:44 AM. The weather man and the weather channel forgot to mention that last night before I went to bed. :shock: :shock:

 

[john zibell]

Kurt,

I haven't found such information on the web. I did get the same info as related above from a Bridgestone representative, and a Dunlop tire engineer. So two representatives from different companies with the same information. I'll take that as reliable.

The higher glass point for motorcycle tires comes from the compounds required for good service on a motorcycle under "normal" conditions. The two reps also stated that for car tires, it can be in the -20to -35 degrees F range or lower before the glass point is reached.

That said, the max traction for a motorcycle tire is achieved at about 100 degrees C core temperature. But at that temperature, the tires doesn't last long. That said, motorcycle tires are compounded to operate at higher temperatures than car or truck tires, thus the problem at lower temperatures.

If you can find any corroboration, or rebuttal, please let us know.

 

[john zibell]

Kurt,

I found this discussion on a physics forum (my kind of stuff!!)

http://www.physicsforums.com/archive/in ... 27704.html

Take a close look at the last submission.