Those “Spikes” on Motorcycle Tires: What You’re Seeing
Many riders notice tiny rubber “spikes” (sometimes called hairs or whiskers) on new motorcycle tires and assume they are designed to prevent slipping or improve traction. In reality, that common belief is a myth.
The Correct Name: Vent Spews
The small spikes are properly called vent spews. They are not traction features and do not improve tire performance in normal riding.
Key Fact:
- Vent spews are a by-product of the tire manufacturing process, not a special grip technology.
Why Tires End Up With Vent Spews
Motorcycle tires are made using molds. During manufacturing, rubber is heated and pressed into a mold to form the tire. To prevent defects, tire molds include many small vents.
These vents exist for one main reason:
- To allow trapped air to escape, so air bubbles do not form inside the tire.
Without proper venting, trapped air could create internal bubbles that may weaken the structure and reduce manufacturing quality.
How Vent Spews Form (Step-by-Step)
- Rubber is heated and softened during the molding process.
- The mold contains tiny vent holes to release trapped air.
- Air escapes through the vents, preventing bubbles inside the tire.
- A small amount of melted rubber also squeezes into these tiny vents.
- When the tire is removed from the mold, that escaped rubber cools and remains as thin rubber spikes, known as vent spews.
Do Vent Spews Affect Safety or Performance?
In practical terms, no.
- They have no meaningful effect on traction or handling
- They do not change how the tire operates
- They are mostly a visual sign of a newly manufactured tire
What Should Riders Do About Them?
- Nothing is required. Vent spews are normal.
- They typically wear off naturally with riding time.
Bottom Line
The tiny rubber spikes on motorcycle tires are vent spews, created when air and a small amount of rubber escape through mold vents during manufacturing. They are not designed to prevent slipping, and they do not enhance performance.
