The tiny bumps on motorcycle tires, called vent spews, are leftover bits from making the tires. But don’t worry, these little bumps don’t change how the tire works at all.
Actually, these fibers are correctly known as vent spews.
They are called “vent spews,” which is a strange term for something that happens a lot.
Some other names for them are sprue nubs, tire nibs, gate marks, and nippers.
The fibers have a crucial role in making tires.
To get why this is important, you should first find out how tires are made.
A green tire, which is a tire that has been shaped but doesn’t have any markings, details, or tread design, is put into a tire mold.
Heat and pressure are used on the green tires. This makes the rubber grow and fit into the mold, creating the tread design and the Toyo Tires Proxes or Open Country label at the same time.
When pressure and heat are applied, air bubbles can form between the rubber and the mold. These air bubbles can prevent the mold from shaping correctly.
A spew hole, which is sometimes called a vent sprue, is a tube that lets out extra pressure when the rubber gets bigger.
Steve Burke, the technical manager at Toyo Tires, talks about why your new tires have those little hairs or nubs on them.
Air is pushed out to make sure there are no air bubbles stuck between the tire and the mold, and it helps move tiny bits of rubber. This is how vent spews are made.
The little bumps on the tire’s tread are mostly worn down, but the bumps on the sides and shoulders of the tire are still there.
So, should you delete them?
Steve explains that it’s not a big deal. Once they’re made, vent spews don’t serve any real purpose. A lot of show car owners really enjoy cutting or trimming the nibs.
You don’t really need to take them off, but if you feel like you have to, don’t use scissors or sharp tools. Just use your hands to grab them and pull them off. It can actually help relieve stress!
Another enigma was solved.
Check out a local dealer to grab a fresh set of Toyo tires, and experience your own vent spews like never before!
