Tires are your motorcycle’s contact point with the road, providing traction that keeps you stable and channeling water away when it rains. Yet they gradually experience wear, which can affect how your bike handles and the control you have in wet, slick and icy conditions.
To get the greatest mileage, keep the following tips in mind regarding tire maintenance.
Don’t Purchase Online
Although online shopping is convenient, many sets of motorcycle tires being sold online are out-of-date. Go to a reputable motorcycle tire facility or local dealership to purchase tires.
Start With a Proper Fit
Only use tires specific to your motorcycle. Make sure you have the proper fit for your bike model and type, based on manufacturer recommendations. For instance, don’t attempt to put racing or street bike tires on a touring model. Such practices place greater wear on your bike and may even lead to an accident.
Break Them In
While new motorcycle tires may seem ready to go, don’t speed off or plan a multi-day trip just yet. Go to your local dealership for proper tire mounting and a road test.
After a new set has been put on, ride at a slow pace for the first 5 to 10 miles and let them get accustomed to the road.
Check Tire Pressure
Low tire pressure and overinflation can both make bike handling more difficult. Reference the owner’s manual to ensure you’re staying as close to manufacturer’s recommendations as possible.
Also check your tires each time you ride and when you get home, as weather can influence their internal pressure. Day-to-day use and storage can even cause your tires to deflate by one PSI per week.
Wash Your Tires
Don’t forget about the tires when washing your bike, especially if you drive longer distances or through areas with more dust and debris. Preferably, wash the tires twice per week to dislodge anything that has accumulated on the surface and could potentially affect traction. Never put protectant on motorcycle tires.
Check the Treads
Excluding holes and punctures, worn-down treads tell you it’s time to purchase a new set of motorcycle tires. Based on type, the treads have worn down too far if you spot wear bars, the surface looks uneven or too smooth. These shallower treads decrease traction and increase your risk of an accident.
Perform the penny test: if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head after inserting a penny in between the treads, the rubber has worn down too far. Motorcycle tire treads should not be shallower than 2mm.
Pre-Ride Checklist
Inspect your motorcycle before you hit the road, including both the front and back tires:
- Check tire pressure and tread depth
- Look for nails and other road debris that may be embedded in the rubber
- Look for uneven wear and sidewall bulges
- Check for bubbling or tread separation
If you spot a puncture, debris or another factor affecting tire integrity, avoid riding until you can put on a new set. Avoid adding a rope plug to any holes. For temporary use, repair your tire with a patch.
Never Flip Your Tires
Should you notice uneven wear on your tires – a sign of poor alignment, improper inflation or where and how you ride – avoid flipping your tires to correct this issue.
Unlike with a car, motorcycle tires are built to be unidirectional. Arrows on the sidewall point to their proper configuration. Flipping a motorcycle tire can cause the treads and outside material to peel off, which can impact your traction and increase your risk of an accident.
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