BIKERS: Your life depends on your tyres

Published 18th February 2008

With the arrival of Spring, many bikers will be looking to get back on their motorcycles, after having been stored away during the winter period. With prolonged static activity, this poses added dangers for riders says TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation. Tyres may become under-inflated and will be subject to “dry rotting” or "cracking,” particularly if the bike has not been in covered storage, and has been exposed to cool temperatures.

Only two very small contact patches connect the rider with the road which means that maintaining tyres in good condition and using the correct levels of tyre pressure is critical to safety. Under-inflated tyres can cause the build-up of excessive heat which can lead to tyre failure, whilst over-inflation makes tyres more susceptible to cuts and punctures on high impact. Incorrect inflation can equally cause the bike to become unstable, affecting handling and cornering, but can also lead to an increase in fuel consumption and emissions, and a reduction in the life of the rubber.

One of the most common causes of motorcycle breakdowns is tyre damage, and TyreSafe has the following top tips to keep bikers on the road this Spring:

¤ Tyre pressures should adhere to those recommended by the manufacturer, and these should be checked from cold at least once a week;

¤ Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded into the tread pattern;

¤ Tread depth should be a minimum of 1mm (for bikes over 50cc);

¤ Old or damaged valve stems should be replaced;

¤ Tyres should be of the same manufacturer or pattern; and

¤ Cracked or bent rims should be replaced immediately.

Bike Tyre Safety Month will be taking place throughout the month of March, a TyreSafe initiative designed to highlight the dangers of defective or badly worn tyres on motorcycles and scooters. The four-week long campaign, the first of its kind, has received full backing from both tyre manufacturers and retailers, and further details of how to support the scheme may be found on the TyreSafe website at www.tyresafe.org.

For further information on motorcycle tyre safety, visitors may download the “Motorcycle Tyres and Your Safety” leaflet for free at http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/

For press information, please contact Chris Wakley or Simon Wittenberg at Automotive PR on 020 7494 8050 or mobile 07970 674612.

Note to Editors

TyreSafe is a not for profit, non commercial organisation set-up to promote tyre safety and raise the awareness of the dangers of driving on defective or badly worn tyres. Illegal and worn tyres are a contributory factor in many road collisions particularly in the wet. TyreSafe campaigns for good tyre husbandry – look after your tyres and your tyres will look after you. For more tyre safety information visit www.tyresafe.org.

TyreSafe supports the government’s ACT ON CO2 campaign which promotes Smarter Driving tips to help cut CO2 emissions from driving.

PRESS HELP / CONTACT
Email Us