1. The tires that you sell are "remanufactured", what does that mean?

We use radial tire carcasses to remold our proprietary rubber process onto the used tire carcass. Our process is similar in many ways to how a new tire is made. The only thing that is recycled is the carcass. The method is not like a truck tire, which has a pre-cured tread, applied with glue. Our tires are mechanically shaved down via a computer controlled buffing machine to a precise level and then new, uncured rubber is reapplied via a computerized extruding machine in pre-selected compounds. The tires are then inserted into individual molds that have the tread patterns in them and they are recured at high temperature and high pressure….just like a new tire. The motorcycle tires are manufactured with the same processes and quality assurance checks as our aircraft retreads. We use all types of carcass in our process, the types and designs are similar to what you would see coming off of any current bike.

2. The tires are retreaded, is that safe for motorcycles?

Our company has always used the most current technologies; processes, materials and NDT (non-destructive testing) to insure all tires (aircraft or motorcycle) meet our high standards.
Most people associate retreads with the chunks of rubber they see on the freeway or expressway lanes, and some of those chunks are from retreads, however, a significant portion is also from new tires. Most of those tread chunks are from over the road truck dual tire systems, and the cause is where one tire in that dual system has gone flat or has very low pressure, which puts an undue strain on its matching tire. If unchecked, this condition will overheat/overload the tire which has the correct air pressure, and lead to a flat tire, blowout or uncontained failure on that tire, which is what you would see on the pavement. The best practice for tire maintenance (new or retread) is to regularly check and maintain the correct tire pressure as stated in the owner's manual of the vehicle.

3. My dad said he had retreads on his cars, and they were terrible, unreliable but very cheap, is that how your tires perform?

Retreads have come a long way since people were using them on their cars. There are 1000's of truck tire retreaders in the U.S., and most produce an excellent product, but there are only five FAA certified aircraft retreaders in the U.S., and we are one of those retreaders, which include Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone and one other independent. Most people are unaware that every time they board a jet transport aircraft, they are riding on retreaded tires. Airlines such as Delta, Southwest, American, Northwest, United, Usair, etc., trust retreads to safely transport 100-300+ people on aircraft valued at over 100 million, on every flight. Safety is the number one concern at any airline, and if their retread tires weren't safe, they wouldn't use them, period.

4. How do your motorcycle retreads differ from other retread tires?

The first thing is D.O.T. approval. We are also approved for aircraft retreads as a certified repair station with the Federal Aviation Administration. Although the D.O.T. has no standards for motorcycle retreads as of yet, we comply with the standards set forth in CFR 571, which has the retread standards for passenger car, and truck tires. We must meet the minimum standards set forth in the CFR's. We go above and beyond those standards, by utilizing exacting tolerances and NDT checks on each tire we produce. One of the NDT techniques we use is laser shearography validation of the tire carcass. In its basic function, laser shearography takes x-rays in real time of the used carcass while in a vacuum, to detect flaws or separations of tread plies, bead plies or any other carcass abnormality, which might affect the performance of the tire. This technique covers the used carcass from bead to bead, and if abnormalities are detected, the carcass is scrapped. The carcass then goes through visual and dimensional NDT checks, balancing, and then through the retread processes and final quality assurance checks before being shipped to the customer.

5. Why do you offer three compounds?

Every rider has a different riding style, techniques, and criteria on how he/she wants he tires to perform. Some riders want the longest wearing tire for commuting, some sportbike riders may want a combination of a longer wearing tire with optimal dry traction, and good wet running capabilities, and other aggressive riders would choose the stickiest grip compound for track/race use and are not concerned with longevity of the tire.

6. Are you the only ones that retread motorcycle tires?

Our joint venture affiliate in the U.K., has been retreading motorcycle tires since 1995, with over 10,000 units in service.