It’s easy to forget that the tires are the only point of contact between the bike and the road. For a motorist that means that if something goes wrong with the tire, you can have an unwanted accident. That is why it is so important to maintain the quality and performance of the tires , both to guarantee safety and mobility. That is why we advise you to comply with the following security recommendations , they can avoid a much bigger problem.
Index of contents
How to maintain your motorcycle tires properly
#1 Contact area
A big job for a small area
The part of the tire that is in contact with the road is about the size of your hand. Your safety, comfort and fuel savings depend on this small area. Be sure to select the right tires and maintain them to keep them performing at their best. Please note that the tires:
- They are the only union between the motorcycle and the road
- They support the entire weight of the motorcycle, a load of up to 10 times your own weight on some occasions (braking, etc.)
- They respond to the different driving movements such as steering, acceleration and braking of the motorcycle
- They absorb all road obstacles
#2 Tire wear and depth
A quick and easy security measure
Regularly check the tread depth of the tires and change them when they are worn. In this way, grip and traction will be guaranteed, avoiding unpleasant surprises. Change the tires before the tread depth reaches the legal limit of 1.6mm. To make things easier for you, tires often have wear indicators located at the bottom of the main tread channels. Your safety and mobility depend on the depth of the tread because:
- Channels in the sculpture push water out from under the tire, helping you maintain control
- The greater the depth of the sculpture, the more water it will evacuate and, therefore, the risk of aquaplaning will be reduced.
- A correct inflation pressure, as well as the regular maintenance of the motorcycle , will guarantee that the tires have the best performance during their useful life.
#3 Tire pressure
Check the pressure every month
The correct pressure reduces the risk of losing control of the motorcycle. It also protects tires from premature wear and irreversible damage to the internal construction. Tire pressure can drop due to small punctures, the natural escape of air from tire components, or even a drop in ambient temperature. Check the tire pressure every month and before a long trip, preferably with cold tires (no more than 4 kilometers at low speed). If it is checked while hot, 0.3 bar must be added to the recommended pressure. It is important to check the pressure once a month, because:
- Low pressure increases the risk of damaging tires
- An excess of 20% of pressure significantly reduces the life of the tire
- A correct pressure increases the useful life of the tire and saves fuel
The recommended pressure is not indicated on the tire. The inflation pressure listed on the sidewall of the tire is only the maximum inflation pressure of the tire. The recommended inflation pressure can be found:
- In the motorcycle owner’s manual
- Inside the seat hatch
#4 Balanced
Balancing prolongs tire life
Balancing helps prevent premature tire wear and eliminates vibration. It also protects the vehicle’s suspension, steering and transmission. Whenever tires are changed or dismounted they must be balanced.
#5 Wheel Alignment
Correct alignment guarantees your safety
A correct steering alignment and a suspension in good condition positively influence the behavior of your motorcycle and your safety. This can be affected if the tire is impacted by a solid object such as a curb or pothole. It is important that the alignment is correct for:
- Get the best driving
- Protect tires from irregular and/or rapid wear
- save fuel
#6 rear tire
The new tires must go on the rear axle
The rear tire is not connected to the steering wheel, making it difficult to control its grip. For optimum efficiency, regularly check tire pressure and condition, especially during tire rotation as many manufacturers specify different front and rear tire pressures. For safety, new or less worn tires must always be on the rear axle to guarantee:
- Greater control in emergency braking or sharp turns
- Less risk of losing control of the bike, especially on wet surfaces
- Improve driving, especially in difficult situations
#7 The valves
Valves and caps keep you and your tires safe
The valves and their components are usually made of rubber, which is why they end up deteriorating. Changing valves when buying new tires is a cheap way to protect your tires and your bike. At high speeds, a rubber valve is bent by centrifugal force and eventually deteriorates. The valve plug is also important. It is the one that maintains the tightness and protects from dust and dirt. Regularly check the good condition of the valves and plugs to:
- Maintain correct tire tightness and pressure
- Ensuring a longer tire life
#8 Handling and storage
Keep your tires safe
For safety, it is extremely important to keep stored tires away from open flames, any incandescent objects, or substances capable of producing sparks and/or electrical discharges (eg, battery generators). When handling tires it is advisable to use protective gloves. Tires must be stored:
- In a ventilated, dry and temperate area, away from direct sunlight and rain
- Far from chemical products, solvents or hydrocarbons that can alter the nature of the rubber
- Away from any object that can penetrate the rubber (sharp metal, wood, etc.)
#9 Tire Repair
The first step to repair a tire? Visit a professional.
When a tire needs to be repaired, it is essential to go to a specialist to remove the tire from the wheel and inspect the interior. It is absolutely necessary because internal damage is not visible when the tire is mounted on the rim. A professional:
- It will guarantee compliance with the procedures for mounting, dismounting, balancing and inflating the tire and the systematic replacement of the valve.
- It will check the internal state of the tire, detecting any damage not visible on the surface
- It will check that the tire is repositioned correctly, optimizing driving and comfort
- It will guarantee compliance with legal and manufacturer regulations when choosing tires: structure, dimensions, speed code and load capacity
- It will ensure compliance with the use pressure prescribed by the manufacturer of the vehicle or the manufacturer of the tires.
- Take into account the mounting instructions and warnings on the flanks (direction of rotation or mounting direction)
- It will take into account the characteristics of specific tires (low profile tires, runflat, self-sealing, etc.)
- It will guarantee your safety
#10 Duration
When to change tires?
The life of a tire varies so much that it is impossible to accurately predict its useful life. A tire is made up of various types of ply and rubber compounds that influence its behavior. Its evolution depends on many elements such as time, storage and use conditions, among many other factors that the tire is subjected to in its life. That is why we recommend drivers to check the appearance of their tires, to be aware of loss of pressure or any anomalous phenomenon (vibration, noise, traction), which could indicate that the tires should be replaced.
We recommend :
- Go to a specialist to check the tires of your motorcycle if they are more than five years old, at least once a year
- Follow the motorcycle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations
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