lawdog
Well-known member
So I recently purchased a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa and contacted the manufacturer about proper mounting and balancing the tire. Here is their reply. They really need to post this on their website.
WHEEL BALANCING
Always balance each tire and wheel assembly upon installation. Unbalanced tire/wheel assemblies can vibrate at various speeds, resulting in accelerated tire wear. Pirelli Street / dual purpose tires should be installed with the red dot(s) at the air valve. However these red dot(s) are designed to be used as a reference in balancing. We suggest balancing the tire and wheel as an assembly and to use the least amount of weight possible. This means that moving the reds dots 45 or 90 degrees from the valve stem to help the assembly use less weight is possible and best.
Pirelli does not recommend the use of liquid balancer, liquid balance/sealers, or any other balance materials.
Pirelli will not extend any warranty consideration for tires which have been injected with any type of liquid balancer, liquid balance/sealers, or any other balance materials. Tire and wheel assemblies should be balanced on a computer or static balance stand. Please check with your dealer/wheel manufacturer for the correct wheel weights for each application.
OTHER MOUNTING TIPS
(1) Check for directional arrow on tire. If present, mount tire so that arrow points in direction of rotation.
(2) Mount tire on rim with the valve stem beside the red or yellow dot. If red or yellow dot is not marked on the sidewall of the tire (indicating the lightest point) the tire may be positioned at any point on the rim.
(3) Clean and lubricate bead with tire mounting lubricant or soapy water. Always clean rim of all foreign matter. To seat bead, remove valve stem core and inflate tire.
(4) Do not inflate to more than 40 psi pressure to seat beads. Check bead control lines for proper seating. Never stand, lean or reach over the assembly during inflation as serious injury could result. Reinstall valve stem core and inflate to the recommended running pressure.
(5) Tubeless tires suitable for assembly with a tube on a tube-type rim may be used on tube or tubeless rims but not for applications that exceed 120 mph. When installing a tube in a tubeless tire do not tighten valve system lock nut until it is seated and inflated to proper riding pressure.
(6) Whenever you install a tube, care should be taken not to pinch the tube. Always dust the tube with talcum powder.
(7) When fitting a new TL (tubeless) tire a new valve should be used for safety reasons. Under acceleration and braking as well in during continuous riding at elevated speeds the centrifugal forces can cause a rubber valve stem to bend. Because of this a short rubber or even better a metal valve stem should installed in the wheel. Please consult with the dealer or wheel manufacturer for the correct valve stem. The correct short valve core should be used in these applications. Short valve cores have a higher preload than the long ones.
(8) Always use a valve cap that features a rubber seal to help prevent air loss.
(9) Always balance the tire and wheel after installing a new tire.
(10) During use do not exceed the max. load rating and max. pressure as indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
(11) When installing tire onto motorcycle be sure to check clearances. Tire width and diameter of indicated size vary between brands and types.
(12) These tires are for use only on vehicles for which "motorcycle tires" were originally specified by the manufacturer. Any other use could be dangerous and unsafe.
So to summarize the two red dots indicate the lightest point on the tire. Good to know when matching up with the heavy spot on the rim.
WHEEL BALANCING
Always balance each tire and wheel assembly upon installation. Unbalanced tire/wheel assemblies can vibrate at various speeds, resulting in accelerated tire wear. Pirelli Street / dual purpose tires should be installed with the red dot(s) at the air valve. However these red dot(s) are designed to be used as a reference in balancing. We suggest balancing the tire and wheel as an assembly and to use the least amount of weight possible. This means that moving the reds dots 45 or 90 degrees from the valve stem to help the assembly use less weight is possible and best.
Pirelli does not recommend the use of liquid balancer, liquid balance/sealers, or any other balance materials.
Pirelli will not extend any warranty consideration for tires which have been injected with any type of liquid balancer, liquid balance/sealers, or any other balance materials. Tire and wheel assemblies should be balanced on a computer or static balance stand. Please check with your dealer/wheel manufacturer for the correct wheel weights for each application.
OTHER MOUNTING TIPS
(1) Check for directional arrow on tire. If present, mount tire so that arrow points in direction of rotation.
(2) Mount tire on rim with the valve stem beside the red or yellow dot. If red or yellow dot is not marked on the sidewall of the tire (indicating the lightest point) the tire may be positioned at any point on the rim.
(3) Clean and lubricate bead with tire mounting lubricant or soapy water. Always clean rim of all foreign matter. To seat bead, remove valve stem core and inflate tire.
(4) Do not inflate to more than 40 psi pressure to seat beads. Check bead control lines for proper seating. Never stand, lean or reach over the assembly during inflation as serious injury could result. Reinstall valve stem core and inflate to the recommended running pressure.
(5) Tubeless tires suitable for assembly with a tube on a tube-type rim may be used on tube or tubeless rims but not for applications that exceed 120 mph. When installing a tube in a tubeless tire do not tighten valve system lock nut until it is seated and inflated to proper riding pressure.
(6) Whenever you install a tube, care should be taken not to pinch the tube. Always dust the tube with talcum powder.
(7) When fitting a new TL (tubeless) tire a new valve should be used for safety reasons. Under acceleration and braking as well in during continuous riding at elevated speeds the centrifugal forces can cause a rubber valve stem to bend. Because of this a short rubber or even better a metal valve stem should installed in the wheel. Please consult with the dealer or wheel manufacturer for the correct valve stem. The correct short valve core should be used in these applications. Short valve cores have a higher preload than the long ones.
(8) Always use a valve cap that features a rubber seal to help prevent air loss.
(9) Always balance the tire and wheel after installing a new tire.
(10) During use do not exceed the max. load rating and max. pressure as indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
(11) When installing tire onto motorcycle be sure to check clearances. Tire width and diameter of indicated size vary between brands and types.
(12) These tires are for use only on vehicles for which "motorcycle tires" were originally specified by the manufacturer. Any other use could be dangerous and unsafe.
So to summarize the two red dots indicate the lightest point on the tire. Good to know when matching up with the heavy spot on the rim.
