Motorbike Tyre Safety
Your tyres are the only part of your motorcycle, scooter or moped in contact with the road surface, so it is essential that they are properly maintained and in a legal, roadworthy state.
Failure to comply with the minimum legal standards for motorcycles can result in fines and penalty points, or even worse, the loss of your life.
Why are tyres important?
Tyres are the only part of your motorcycle in contact with the road surface. Safety in acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on this relatively small area of contact. It is therefore of paramount importance that tyres are properly maintained and in a good condition at all times.
With the correct care and attention, your motorcycle tyres will help you achieve the maximum performance, enjoyment and safety from riding without disruption and with minimal cost.”
What is tyre cracking?
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. 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 a motorcycle rider with the road, which means that maintaining tyres and using the correct levels of tyre pressure is critical to safety. Under-inflated tyres can cause the build-up of excessive heat which may 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 (plus a reduction in the life of the rubber).
How to avoid “squaring-off``
Long journeys on motorways can cause the meeting of the tyre’s sidewall and tread to ‘square-off’, which gives a feeling of loss of grip when the bike is used on winding roads. Often on long journeys motorcyclists switch from the motorway to fast A- and B-roads, without knowing their bikes’ handling is compromised. The squaring-off phenomenon will always affect bike tyres because of their design, but if the bike is being constantly ridden on winding roads squaring-off will take longer to occur, meaning extended tyre life.
The type of journey covered isn’t the only reason for squaring-off, as other factors can have an impact. Most notably the compound of the tyre and the original profile of the tyre when new. Some tyres have a flatter profile to start with while others can be very pointy. The ‘pointier’ they start out as, the more the squaring-off will become apparent as the tyre gets older.
Tyre pressures can also affect the squaring, with both under- and over-inflation causing problems. If tyres are underinflated this will cause squaring off, as would running them overinflated, but then the width of the ‘squared band’ around the tyre would be narrower as the contact patch would be narrower in the first instance.
Tyre design means there is no cure for the squaring-off phenomenon, but once they’re aware it might happen, riders can adjust their riding accordingly. It’s important that motorcyclists make allowances for any unusual handling characteristics their bike might show when they leave the motorway. Keeping tyre pressures at recommended levels is one way to ensure safe riding, as is rider awareness.
Pressure from pillion passengers
Tyre safety is important for all motorists but perhaps even more so for motorcyclists, especially when carrying pillion passengers.
The extra weight resulting from a pillion passenger or pannier loads means that tyre pressures should be checked and adjusted accordingly against the bike manufacturers’ recommended levels.
Under-inflation (or overloading) over a long period may cause rapid shoulder wear, excessive flexing and deterioration of the casing, which can pose a serious safety risk for bikers. However, over-inflation may result in a reduced area of contact patch with the road and accelerated wear in the centre of the tread. The tyre could also be more susceptible to impact damage, as well as providing an uncomfortable ride.
It’s not just the tyre pressure that should be considered as motorcyclists should also check for tread depth, plus look for any damage in the tyre such as bulges, cuts or lumps. If a foreign object is found embedded in the tyre, then it should be removed. Any irregular wear patterns can also be a sign of problems with other components, set up or riding style.
Before setting off on a biking holiday, or even if just heading out for the day, bikers should make sure that tyres are properly inflated and in good working order. It could be the difference between enjoying the holiday, or ride of a lifetime, or ending up as a road casualty statistic.
Motorbike maintenance checklist
– Check your tyre pressures from cold at least once a week using an accurate gauge
– Inflate tyres to the level recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook
– Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded into the tread pattern and replace if necessary
– Use dust caps to keep dirt away from the valve core and to act as a secondary air seal
– If your rims are cracked or bent, they should be replaced immediately
– Check that your tread depth is not below the legal minimum of 1mm (for bikes over 50cc)
– Replace old or damaged valve stems
– Select the correct type of tyre for your machine and riding style
– Check that both tyres fitted to the bike are made by the same manufacturer and have the same tread pattern
– Make sure that your tyre has been fitted the right way round by checking the directional arrows on the sidewall
– When replacing tube type tyres always use a new inner tube
– Make sure your tyre/wheel assembly is balanced correctly
– Keep oil and grease off your tyres using detergent if necessary”