Many people mistakenly believe that the small spikes on motorcycle tires are there to prevent slipping, but that’s not the case. These tiny spikes, officially known as “vent spews,” are a by-product of the tire manufacturing process. Despite their appearance, these spikes have no impact on tire performance.
Vent spews, which also go by names like sprue nubs, tire nibs, gate markings, or nippers, serve a specific purpose during production, but they’re not necessary for the tire’s operation once it’s on the road.
What Are Vent Spews?
To understand vent spews, it helps to know a bit about how tires are made. A tire starts as a “green tire,” which is a rubber compound that’s been shaped but doesn’t yet have its tread pattern, labels, or markings. This green tire is placed into a mold, where heat and pressure are applied. As the rubber expands, it fills the mold, forming the tread and adding labels like Toyo Tires Proxes or Open Country.
During this process, air bubbles can get trapped between the rubber and the mold, preventing the tire from forming correctly. Vent spews act as tiny escape routes for the air and pressure, allowing the tire to mold properly.
Why Do Vent Spews Remain After Production?
Steve Burke, technical manager at Toyo Tires, explains, “Air escapes, ensuring no air bubbles form between the tire and the mold. It also carries small pieces of rubber with it, which is how the vent spews are created.”
Most vent spews on the tread face are shaved off after production, but you’ll often notice them remaining on the tire’s sidewalls and shoulders.
Should You Remove Them?
According to Burke, vent spews have no functional purpose after production. “Many show car owners enjoy trimming or shaving them for aesthetic reasons,” he says. “But there’s no practical reason to remove them. If you decide to, it’s best to avoid using scissors or blades. Just pull them off by hand—it can be quite stress-relieving!”
The Bottom Line
Those little spikes you see on new motorcycle tires aren’t designed to improve grip or prevent slipping. They’re just part of the manufacturing process and don’t affect the tire’s performance. Now that you know what vent spews are, you can appreciate them as a harmless leftover from production.
If you pick up a new pair of Toyo tires, you’ll know exactly what those vent spews are for—and whether or not you want to keep them!
