Motorcycle Tires: What You Should Know

 

When it comes to motorcycle safety, your tires are a major player. Old and worn tires are dangerous because they can cause you to skid or lose traction. You may even have a blowout while riding down the highway, which can cause an accident.

 

How long should motorcycle tires last? What signs should you look for that suggest it is time for new ones? As your tires are the link between the bike and the road, you need answers to these questions and more.

 

Common Problems With Motorcycle Tires

 

When looking at used motorcycles for sale, you need to know common problems with tires. If you notice the tread is squared off and the sidewalls are damaged, the owner carried too much weight on the bike or rode with under-inflated tires. Excessive wear in the center indicates the tires were over-inflated at some point. If the wheel alignment was off or currently is off, you’ll spot irregular wear patterns. On the other hand, worn-out tread is a sign of high mileage.

 

While you cannot determine the overall condition of the bike from the tires alone, if you see any of these problems, look for other potential issues. A rider who neglects their tires may also neglect other parts of the bike.

 

Off-Road and Dual Sport Motorcycle Tires

 

Play with the tire pressure and drop a few pounds of pressure on your off-road or sport tires. Dropping the pressure will give the tires more grip when racing or riding the trails.

 

While the tires wear down faster when under-pressurized, they offer better performance in these scenarios. That is probably why you bought the bike initially. Increase the tire pressure when going on a road trip, especially when you have a rider or are towing your luggage. However, some tires intended for these bikes don’t last 5,000 miles.

 

Tires for Cruising and Touring Motorcycles

 

Men and women who ride cruising and touring motorcycles need tires with sturdy sidewalls and deep treads to hold the weight of these machines on long trips. If you properly maintain the tires and keep them at the recommended pressure, they could haul you 10,000 miles or more before needing replacement.

 

Performance and Sport Tires

 

Don’t expect to get many miles out of performance and sport tires. They have the softest compounds, as these compounds provide better grip when you are hard braking or taking a high-speed turn. While some manufacturers now offer dual-compound tires, you shouldn’t expect to get more than 3,000 miles out of sport or performance tires.

 

Signs You Need New Tires

 

Pay attention to your tires, so you can detect problems early. You don’t want to be riding around on bad tires. The following are a few things to look for when assessing their condition.

 

Your tires lose tread with use. When there is no tread remaining, the tires have no grip. Some tires last 1,500 miles and others will go 10,000 miles before you must replace them.

 

Your bike typically moves in a straight line, so the center part of the tire may become flat. The bike then hesitates to turn before suddenly dropping. Restore normal handling by replacing the tires.

 

Over time, the rubber in the tires oxidizes. It then hardens, so you won’t have as much grip. Your tires are more likely to blow out too, so replace any tires that you have had on the bike for five years.

 

When you have damage to the tire and repair it with a plug, expect the tire to need replacement. Plugs aren’t a permanent solution. They are designed to allow you to get a replacement tire.

 

Are My Tires Safe?

Monitor the tread depth on your tires regularly. Grab a depth gauge and make this part of your regular inspections. You need a tread depth of at least 2/32 of an inch to comply with federal law.

When you don’t have a depth gauge handy, grab a penny. Turn the coin so Abraham Lincoln’s head is the part going in the tire. The penny should cover the top of his head. If you can see his entire head, it’s time for new tires.

Tires wear more in the center. When checking the tire, measure the tread at the center and the edges to get a better idea of whether you need new tires.

Check the sidewalls too. If you see cracks or dry rot, consider replacing the tire. Replace the tire if the sidewalls have major cracks even if the tread is good.

Bowed sidewalls also suggest you need new tires. However, check the tire pressure first to see if low pressure is the problem. If it is, inflating the tires more should fix the sidewalls.

Check the Tire Pressure

 

You need the right balance between performance and lifespan with the tires on your ride. Manufacturers determine the recommended tire pressure for their product. When your tire pressure deviates from the standard, the tires won’t last as long. Look at the tire sidewall and you will see a number. The manufacturer determines the maximum tire pressure and prints it here.

 

Storing Motorcycle Tires

 

You may have spare tires sitting in a garage or shed. Protect the tires from the elements and they will have a long shelf life. Nevertheless, they won’t last forever. Pay attention to the standardized date code found on the sidewall. This number tells you how long the tire sat before being installed on a bike. The first two digits tell you the week the tire was made and the second two digits tell you the year. Pitch any tire that is ten years old, regardless of where it has been. If the tires have been on the bike for five years, they need to go.

 

Several factors play a role in the longevity of motorcycle tires. However, bike tires will never last as long as tires on a passenger vehicle do. Regularly replace the tires for a safe ride you can enjoy without worry.