It is a fact that motorcycle tires generally last for a less time than car tires. Most manufacturers suggest getting an annual inspection if you’ve used your tires for more than 5 years and if the tire is more than 10 years old, then it is better to replace it as it has reached the end of its useful life period. Motorcycle tires should always be replaced if they are showing signs of wear and tear or coming to the end of their useful life period for both safety and quality purposes.
Tires are undoubtedly one of the most critical parts of the whole bike since the quality of the ride and performance of the bike is determined by the quality and fit of the tire itself. Motorcycles have only two points of contact with the road and therefore, it is of utmost importance to ensure that these points of contact are of the right size, shape, and compound. With a motorcycle, careful attention has to be given to the maintenance of tires to ensure your safety and a great experience.
The motorcycle grip is generally achieved through the use of soft rubber. The contact patch between the road and your motorcycle tire is generally about that of a credit card which means that using hard tires may leave the motorcycle prone to slipping and sliding. The extra grip of the motorcycle that you get as a result of soft rubber also results in its shorter lifespan since softer rubber wears out fast. For safety, it is best to replace tires once the soft rubber becomes worn out so that you get the proper grip required at all times.
What to Look Out For
There are a few signs that you can keep an eye out for to determine whether it’s time to replace your tire or not. The first of these is the tread depth. It is universally agreed that you must have 1/32” to 2/32” of tread depth. The easiest way to determine this is generally by inserting a penny into your tread. If you can see the top of the head, then the tire has enough remaining tread. Generally, the middle of the tire is the most worn out since it sees the greatest amount of contact with the road.
A few manufacturers also have indicators cast into the grooves of the rubber tread. These are generally located a bit off the tire’s center and are an indication of the lowest amount of tread that is safe to ride with. It looks like a raised segment of rubber and is situated in one of the tire grooves.
There are also various situations where a tire doesn’t get completely worn out until this point. However, this does not mean that it is safe to ride with it since the shape of the tire also plays an important role in determining whether it is time to replace it or not. There are various cases where the tire is worn out unevenly. The most common form of this is when the tire gets worn out from the central part of the tread resulting in a squarish wear. It is best to get the tire replaced if it shows any sign of uneven tread as well.
The next important thing to watch out for is defects in the tire. This may be seen in the form of dry rot or the cracking along the sidewalls of the tire. This type of damage calls for an immediate replacement since riding such a tire hampers the quality of your ride and the vehicle’s performance as well. There may also be the problem of cupping or scalping in your front tire where the tire shows wear and tear along the length of the tread. This leads to various handling and stability issues. It is dangerous to keep such a tire.
Lastly, it is also important to take into consideration how long it’s been since you bought the tire. The age of the tire plays an important part since the rubber also gets harder over the years and loses the grip required. The date code can generally be found on the sidewall of the tire – it is shown in the last four digits wherein 2311 means the 23rd week of 2011. If the tire is over five years old, it has to be checked regularly and if it’s over ten years old, then it is time to get a replacement tire.
Inspecting and Maintaining Tires
Regular checks to ensure that the tires are in proper working condition are always a good idea. Moreover, it is a good idea to change tire tubes also since they have a tendency to stretch over time and could crease if you put in a new tire without also replacing the tire tube. The tire size should also be compatible with the size markings of the tube. Regular checking of the tire will also make sure that there are no cuts or punctures that go unnoticed since they could lead to further damage down the line.
Having the right tire pressure is also a very important part in the maintenance of the tire, especially because they can easily get either over-inflated or under-inflated. When the tire is cold, an accurate pressure gauge should be used to measure and ensure that the pressure of the tire is in the right range. This should be done before any long rides and at least once a week. There are safety problems caused by underinflated and overinflated tires. They tend to build more heat, causing an uneven wear and tear due to poor handling and corner turns. The tire may also be more easily damaged if a sudden impact happens and the ride becomes harder, causing an unnecessary increase in the tread’s wear and tear. Hence, the pressure of the tire must be maintained at the levels given in the manual to ensure rider safety. This way, tires can be maintained for longer.
