When your motorcycle is in motion, your tires are the only parts of the bike that touch the ground. And yet, so many riders pay little attention to those vital components, nurturing them only when they fail – which is too late. Understanding more about your motorcycle’s tires and how to care for them properly will greatly enhance your ride quality and safety.
Motorcycle tires vary greatly in size, composition and construction, depending on a lot of factors. The most critical factor is matching tires to the size, weight and intended purpose of your bike. Your bike manufacturer has specified a particular tire that matches your bike. Some bikes can be fitted with a variety of tires from multiple manufacturers, but be cautious about deviating from the manufacturer’s recommendations without thorough research.
Most modern street motorcycles use radial tires, and almost all bikes equipped with alloy wheels use tubeless tires. Some wire-spoked wheels still use tires with inner tubes, because the rims are not designed to hold air. Be sure that you’re matching your tires with your wheels. Even though some motorcycle wheels can be fitted with tires designed for cars, resist the temptation. Car tires are not designed for the same kind of cornering forces as motorcycle tires, and their tread profiles don’t accommodate leaning.
Installing a motorcycle tire requires some mechanical ability and specialty equipment, as wheels must be removed from the bike in order to facilitate a change. I highly recommend having your tires changed by a professional mechanic in a trusted shop, especially if you’ve never done it before. Be sure that your wheels and tires are balanced after they’re changed (before they’re reinstalled on the bike). Always select matched tires of the same brand and type, and replace your tires in pairs when possible.
Inspect your tires before every ride for proper inflation, wear, and overall condition. Use a good-quality gauge, and look for a tread depth of at least 2/32 inch – the old Lincoln’s head penny test. If the wear bars on your tread are showing, or if the tread depth is less than 2/32 inch, replace your tires immediately.
Wash your tires with a mild detergent, and if you must apply tire dressing, never apply it to the treads or lower sidewalls – only to inner sidewalls. Tire dressing is cosmetic, and can cause a loss of grip if it is applied to tread. That’s bad.
Finally, heed the advice of every motorcycle and car racer – Cold tires cause wrecks. Start out every ride cautiously, and give your tires time to warm up (10 – 15 minutes) before riding assertively. If your tires are new, be especially careful during the break-in period, up to 500 miles.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation publishes a great free booklet that goes into more detail about tires and tire care, available as a free download. Don’t neglect your tires, or they might not be the only part of your bike that touches the ground.