Many beginners, even experienced riders, need to learn that motorcycle tires can be taken care of. For the first two or three years of riding, I wondered how to take care of tires. When I faced tire-related problems, I felt that, if nothing else, I should take care of my tire, at least for my safety. Then I did research and found out how to take care of motorcycle tires and why. These are all personal experiences that I have implemented with my motorcycle tires. Motorcycle tires are directly related to safety, handling, and fuel efficiency. By the end of this article, you will also learn how to take care of your motorcycle.
1. Keep the tires clean
If motorcycle tires have not been cleaned for a long time, dirt and mud have accumulated on them, resulting in several bad things that could happen, such as tires getting weak or damaged, skidding, and causing accidents. Also, the brake will not work correctly and can cause rust on rims over time. Try to wash your motorcycle tires at least twice a week. Do not use any products that contain harmful chemicals when cleaning. Products that contain petroleum-based ingredients will weaken tire rubber, reducing its ability and lifespan over time. If you want any recommendations from me, I suggest using Normal water with detergent powder/ shampoo/ dish soap to wash off the tires and a stiff brush to rub off dirt stuck to the tires.
2. Avoid parking in hot places
When you park your motorcycle in a hot place, especially directly underexposed to sunlight, your tires will weaken and get damaged much earlier than they would be in their expected lifetime. The same thing happens to your tires when you are used to parking your motorcycle in a place that is wet and muddy most of the time. Avoid parking in this kind of place as far as possible. Try to place your bike under the shade, on a flat surface, and use the center stand to ensure minimum engagement of tires to the surface. You can use a motorcycle cover for overall protection.
3. Check tyres frequently
It is necessary to check motorcycle tires frequently, whether they are tubeless or tubed. Especially for tubeless tires, It usually happens that tires get multiple nails on them, and we do not even notice. When we noticed the tires had already been damaged a lot. In previous years, when I was not concerned enough about tires, these things happened to me a lot. It is also essential to check the rim belt of the motorcycle as well as the wheels if there is any crack. Regular tire checking is critical to preventing such issues.
4. Avoid rough braking
Most of the time, we forget that a bad breaking habit leads to damaged tires and reduces their lifespan. I have often seen many riders who brake unnecessarily hard and cause the wheels to skid. Do they care about their motorcycle? However, in some emergencies, when I brake hard and my motorcycle wheel skids sometimes, I immediately get off the motorcycle and look for the skeed marks on the road. When I saw the black mark on the road, I felt very heartbroken. Avoid rough breaking without any emergency. This bad habit causes tire decay and also leads to accidents. It is also necessary to keep your motorcycle speed limit under control. How long the tires will last depends on your riding style. So try to be gentle with your motorcycle and avoid rough braking and acceleration.
5. Avoid driving on a broken road
Riding on a rough surface road will cause massive damage to your motorcycle tires. When your motorcycle tire hits in speed objects like nails or loose sharp stones that have become protruding from the road surface, the tires get cracked or cut. An uneven, rough surface or path hole also causes more friction than an even surface road. More friction leads to generating more heat in the tires. This results in the tire’s structural integrity getting weak, which leads to a reduction in the tire’s average lifespan.
6. Use the correct tyre
When you are changing or modifying your motorcycle tires, you should select the right one for your motorcycle fit. One more thing you have to keep in mind before tire selection is what your riding zone is. Are you riding on the highway or off-road? I have seen many riders who installed off-road tires on their highway riding motorcycle. Some of them use way fat tires to look more stylish. When people do such activities, tires wear out faster than their expected lifespan and also put their lives at risk. Different types of tires are designed for various kinds of motorcycles and riding zones. Please make sure the tires you have selected match your motorcycle and riding zone and that they are perfectly aligned with the rim. Select the tires that come with good quality rubber and grip. I recommend going for a reputed brand for high-quality products.
7. Check the tire pressure
Keep your motorcycle tire pressure at the right point according to your motorcycle user manual. To check tire pressure, use a quality pressure gauge for accurate results. Before checking the tire pressure, ensure the tire remains at its average temperature because you will never get a precise result when the tires are heated. High and low tire pressure will damage the tires, affect the riding experience, and cause an accident. When the tire pressure is not on point, you will get a horrible braking experience. At the high tire pressure, you will feel more shaky and bouncy. Sometimes, you will notice a distended area on the tire’s body. When the pressure is low, you will see your tires decay on both sides, overheated, flattened, and have less speed than your motorcycle. If the tire pressure is too low or too high, it not only damages the tire but also increases the chance of an accident.
8. Go for a professional
If you need to fix, replace, and check your motorcycle tire, a professional should be consulted. Fixing problems by a nonprofessional means you won’t get the results you want; in fact, sometimes the results get worse. Even if the problem is small, you should go for a professional. Otherwise, a small problem can lead to a bigger problem, and I am a victim of it. If tires and rims are not appropriately aligned, both will get damaged. Improper installation leads to poor handling and causes breaking issues.
Tires are one of the most vital parts for riding safely and smoothly. By maintaining your motorcycle tire properly, you can hold its youth and workability for an extended period. This practice will help you to secure your life and investment.
Hope you enjoyed the article. If you like it, leave a comment and let me know what you are interested in learning about motorcycles. I’ll be back shortly with the article.