tire safty article

[saddlebum]

here is an interesting article from IN THE SADDLE

 

Get a grip

 

How often do you take a really good look at your tires? Once a week? Once a month? Only if there’s a problem?

“Tires are the most critical part of a motorcycle because they’re the only thing between you and the road,” says Patrick Fletch, service manager for Budd’s BMW Motorrad in Oakville, Ontario.

If your bike’s tires aren’t well maintained, or if they’re poor quality to begin with, it can spell trouble when the rubber hits the road. If something goes wrong with your tires when you’re riding, it can have immediate and devastating results.

“Regular maintenance will help keep your tires performing the way they should, and keep you safe,” adds Patrick. Here’s what he has to say about how to keep your tires in top shape.

Check your tire pressure

 

“Correct pressure is the key issue when it comes to tires because it’s overlooked all the time,” says Patrick. “I suspect that 30 to 40% of all riders never bother to check their tire pressure.”

Low tire pressure not only affects tire life and fuel economy, but proper handling and braking. Overheating could lead to a blowout.

Try to get into the habit of checking your tire pressure every time you fuel up. If you use your bike mostly for commuting, check your tires at least once a week.

Tire pressure should be checked when tires are cold and they should be set to the manufacturer’s recommended specifications. Never exceed the maximum load indicated on the tire sidewall or listed in your manual.

Equally important is your tire pressure gauge. Make sure that it is calibrated correctly, otherwise you can easily fill your tires to the wrong pressure. Take it to your dealer or a qualified service centre for comparison on a regular basis. Or, have them install a tire pressure sensor that will alert you to the changes in air pressure.

Watch for tread wear

 

If there’s not enough tread, or the tread shows signs of uneven or unusual wear (such as flat spots or feathering), you could be heading for trouble. A worn tread in combination with wet surfaces can cause poor handling.

An easy way to determine when your tire should be replaced is by looking at the wear bar on the tire tread. Most manufacturers recommend that tires should be replaced when a minimum 1 mm (1/32”) tread depth remains.

Look for tire and rim damage

 

Tires take more abuse than any other part of a motorcycle. You should inspect tires for damage every time you take your bike for a ride.

Look for visible damage such as abrasions, cracks, bulges, and splits in the sidewall or tread and punctures from nails that your tires have picked up along the way.

Damage can occur when your tire forcefully strikes a solid object that you may not be able to see. Take it to an authorized service centre for inspection.

The condition of your rims is equally important as they have a direct impact on the life of your tires.

For solid rims, check for dents that can create air leakage or affect the balancing weight. If you have spoke rims, Patrick recommends that you have a professional replace broken spokes and tighten loose ones.

Buy current tires

 

“Another thing that gets overlooked by riders is the age of the tires,” Patrick says. “You should buy tires that are current-year production.”

Because they’re a petroleum-based product, tires continually break down. The rubber compound will get harder over time. Patrick estimates maximum tire life at two to three years, regardless of whether the tire has been in use or sitting in a warehouse.

“Be careful when you’re looking for a deal on a new set of tires,” he warns. Before you buy, check the age of the tire on the sidewall stamping.

And never mix tires that don’t match, such as a radial with bias or bias-belted tire. It can dangerously affect your motorcycle’s handling characteristics.

If in doubt about what tires should be mounted on your bike, always consult your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer.

Ride smart

 

New tires have a slippery coating that should be properly “scuffed up” to get an optimal grip. That generally means no hard cornering or braking for the first 160 km.

“It’s also very important that riders take time to know what new tires feel like, especially if they have a different tread pattern or are made by a different manufacturer than their old tires,” advises Fletch.

If you look after your tires, they’ll look after you.

[Lone Eagle]

great article and reminder for us - thanks for sharing.