Motorcycle tire filler
Motocross is a sport that is rough enough not only for pilots but also for equipment. The tires are subjected to phenomenal loads, so tubeless tires are not suitable, and even more so, chambered tires are not suitable. Something is needed that can withstand loads, road aggression, and not let the rider down halfway.
Such a solution exists - it is a special filler for tires, or as it is also called - mousse. It is widely used in motocross due to its reliability. For the first time, such a filler was proposed to the market by Michelin in 1984 under the name Bib Mousse. That's why it's also called mousse, because in French, mousse means foam, which is what the filler actually is.
Despite the fact that the filler was first proposed to the market by Michelin, today it can be found under the brands Pirelli, Dunlop Risemousse, and Gibson.
The principle of mousse operation
The mousse composition includes a butyl rubber mixture, for which micro-cuts and punctures are not critical, while the density of the filler is equivalent to a pressure of 1-1.2 bar.
It is essential to note that fillers are not intended for road use, so they have the marking NHS (Non Highway Service) - not for road use.
Replacing the camera and air in the tire, the mousse is also not subject to pressure changes and is suitable for operation even in extreme conditions, where motocross races are essentially held.
It is also worth noting that this technological solution is not without its drawbacks. The stiffness of the mousse is always the same, and unlike tire pressure, it cannot be changed as the race progresses. Therefore, if the pilot feels a certain "wobble" during the race, he will have to adapt his driving taking this into account.
Additionally, among the key disadvantages of mousse, one can include its relatively high cost and short storage life. As a rule, the storage life does not exceed one and a half years, while the service life does not exceed 6 months from the date of installation.
Types of mousse and its application
The elasticity of the mousse depends on its purpose. The golden standard from Michelin - Bib Mousse - cannot boast of such a variety of different stiffness, like, for example, mousse from the Italian company Risemousse, which specializes in their production.
Depending on the type of races you plan to use the mousse for, you can determine the pressure.
Risemousse has also presented an interesting solution - an adaptive mousse. You can change its stiffness by removing and installing special inserts that give it greater stiffness.
Features of operation
- Despite the fact that mousse operation allows its use at extremely high temperatures, it is very sensitive to extreme temperatures during storage. Do not store at temperatures -20°C and +40°C.
- During operation, it is worth paying special attention to the speed limits indicated by the manufacturer. As a rule, it does not exceed 120-140 km/h.
- If the mousse is installed on a motorcycle, prolonged standing is not allowed. If the wheels are not dismantled, the motorcycle should be hung to exclude pressure on the mousse in the contact patch, otherwise, it will deform and become unsuitable for operation.