Does anybody on here sipe tires by hand?

[MAragorn]

I am considering a tire for the front of my Valk, but if I use it I really want the tire siped.  But I am in Houston and although there are companies that sipe tires they all use an automated machine that can't do a motorcycle tire.

I know there are hand held devices to sipe tires, but I have never done it and the machine runs about 90 bucks.

I was wondering if any of you Yankee boys siped your own tires and might be persuaded with beer money to do one for me?

[Black Pearl's Captain]

There is a reason why most motorcycle tires aren't siped. Those small cuts breaking the length of the treads make many small sections. Those sections become weaker then they were "whole". The small sections would tend to squirm and wiggle and fracture off more then a continous tread would when leaned over and under strain while turning.

I'm not saying you can't do what you want but it's not really an improvement overall.

Raymond

[Gryphon Rider]

I don't have personal experience with siped MC tires, but making the tread more flexible would make that tire handle far more loosely.  Maybe it improves ultimate traction on specific surfaces, but I am happy to let anyone else be the guinea pig with this.

[Momz]

[MAragorn]

Thanks for the feedback.

Nonetheless, I am interested in trying this.

Anybody have access to one of these tools?

[Brad]

http://www.allstarperformance.com/product.htm?prod=33

You can also use a utility knife with an adjustable depth blade.  Give it a go and report back to us.  I tried to add tire siping when I owned a Tire and Service center but I could not get any of the insurance companies to cover that service.

[junior]

if your talking regroving a tire ....try a chainsaw done it on truck tires before, just use a little fenesness with it

[R J]

Only time I ever siped a tire was when we were racing flat track in California........

You weaken the tire in that area.........  We would only run a tire one night of racing and then toss it out.......  We have had em blow out on us on the track if we happened to cut one a tad too deep.  What usually happens, is the tire will work from the inside out and create a sidewall break, that in turn would pinch the tube and puncture it..   Bingo, quick loss of air and you would be all over the track....  Nice thing about it was everyone was going the same direction when it happened...... 

I would not recommend it for use on the highway unless you have a death wish........