4 points to check on the condition of your motorcycle tires
With the arrival of spring - and with it the good weather - we usually dust off our motorcycle and leave it shiny, ready for an imminent exit to make miles. Gone are several months in which, because of the cold and the rain, you have hardly taken it out of your garage. It is important to clean it - the first thing we do - but it is even more essential to check the condition of the tire set, in case you need to change the tires on the bike.
We are accustomed to try to extend the life of the tires of the motorcycle to the border of the allowed, something too dangerous if we do not know, for sure, what the limit is. A worn wheel on your motorcycle, whether from a specialist brand such as Metzeler or another manufacturer of tires for any vehicle, such as Michelin, Bridgestone or Pirelli, is an imminent danger to your physical integrity. In addition, it increases exponentially the possibility that you are fined or suffer a puncture.
Do you know when the tires on your motorcycle are worn or damaged? Here we tell you how to find out
In this post we are going to describe the signs that indicate that the tires of your motorcycle have been worn or damaged, reasons why you must change them for others in perfect condition.
When to repair or replace a tire
Below we will list the reasons why you should replace a tire or, if not, take it to a specialized professional to decide to repair or replace it.
1. The puncture. The tires that are manufactured today are very resistant, but the puncture is still difficult to avoid. If it occurs in the tread and its size is not very large, it probably can be repaired. But if the cut is deep and even rips the inner tarps, surely, you will have to change it. However, in case of a puncture, it is best to consult with a specialist mechanic.
Good maintenance of your motorcycle tires will extend your life and increase your safety
2. The tire is worn. It is advisable to gradually monitor tire wear. If the depth of the furrows of the tread is less than 1.6 millimeters you must replace it without delay, although it is advisable to change it from 3 millimeters. One trick to check is to insert a euro coin into the groove: if the gold outside area of the coin is not covered, the tire must be replaced.
Did you know that with a euro coin you can check the tread wear on your tire?
3. Damage to the tire. We must avoid bumps, curbs or objects with which our tire can collide. The damage can be irreparable. If something like this has happened to you, you should go to a professional to check the damage: he will decide if it can be repaired or, instead, the tire should be replaced by another in good condition.
4. Signs of aging. The duration of a tire does not have a set time of expiration, will depend on if you have dispensed them or not, a good maintenance, of the kilometers traveled, of the accelerations or abrupt brakes to which you make them during the driving, etc. After the five years of life, it is advisable to examine the condition of the tire at least once a year. In case you see any sign of aging, such as an abnormal deformation or a crack in the shoulder or tread, go to the professional to check it and decide whether it is useful or not.
Recommendations for good maintenance
You should keep in mind that the tires of the motorcycle deteriorate even if they are not used, so in long periods of inactivity of the motorcycle, you must follow a series of recommendations for its convenient maintenance:
- It is advisable to hold the motorcycle with an easel so that the tires do not have to bear the full weight for a long time.
- Move the bike and change its position from time to time.
- Protects the tires from direct and prolonged sunlight.
- Do not expose tires to sudden temperature changes.
Hopefully these simple tips and recommendations help you take care of and prolong the life of your bike tires, or at least have a slight indication of when it is time to replace them.