While there are several ways to measure the tread depth of your motorcycle tires, the two most reliable methods we recommend are: These often manifest as “squaring the top of the tire” and can lead to handling issues – buy a pressure gauge and check your tire pressure often. We will write in more detail about tires, but here we have discussed the basics. If you want to improve your safety and experience an upgrade in driving satisfaction, consider a new set of tires. Below 50cc, all grooves of the original tread should be visible – if the grooves have worn smoothly, your tire should be changed. Positive and negative pressure are the main causes of unnecessary and uneven tire wear. Tread wear indicators on the tires themselves should give you a good indication of the condition of the tire. If the tire is flush with these, it is below the legal limit and must be replaced. For example, if you frequently drive on poorly maintained road surfaces or participate in any track day, you should invest in a tire designed for these conditions. If you have enough tread on your tires, you`ll stay safe and on the right side of the law. Keep an eye on your tires, consider investing in a cost-effective tread depth tool, and mention any uneven wear to your mechanic as soon as you notice it. How often should you check your tire pressure? It`s best to check your tire pressure before each trip. Check your tire pressure when the rubber is cold to get the most accurate readings. The right air pressure is crucial for safe handling of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds.

The recommended pressure for the original tires is specified in the motorcycle owner`s manual. For the installation of alternatives in the aftermarket, the tire specialist or tire manufacturer should seek advice. For tyres fitted to conventional and vintage motorcycles (before 1960) for which the pressures specified in the original manual may be inappropriate, a specific instruction from the tyre manufacturer is recommended. Pressures must be adjusted accordingly for solo and load loads. It is dangerous to inflate a tire that has been unladen or heavily inflated. These tires must be removed for inspection by a tire specialist. Prolonged negative pressure leads to excessive bending, deterioration of the housing and rapid wear of the tread edges. Your fuel consumption can also be negatively affected. Too high air pressure can lead to an uncomfortable ride, reduced road contact area, accelerated tread wear, and make the tire more vulnerable to impact damage. Air pressure should be checked once a week when the tires are cold, with an accurate and reliable pressure gauge. Mechanics also use a tire or tread depth gauge that measures the remaining tread wear. What are the best motorcycle tires? We`ve put together an overview of the best motorcycle tires for each major category to help you find the best tire for your riding style.

Many motorcycle tires have wear indicators that are molded into the rubber grooves of the tread. Look for one of the grooves on tires with a raised rubber segment. These groves are usually located outside the center of the tire. This raised segment indicates the manufacturer`s lowest tread to stay safe. Most manufacturers will take the position that you should replace your tires before reaching this mark. 2. Check for tire defects. The first tire has a tread, but cracks along the sidewalls (commonly known as dry rot) are a clear sign that the tire needs to be replaced. Tire number two has a worn square tread. This tire won`t feel good when leaning against the bike in a curve.

This contact area at the “corner” of this tire will be very small. Another type of uneven wear is tire number three. The bike had a good shock absorber and a faulty shock absorber. You can see what effect the bad shock absorber had on that bad tire. These 3 tires have been replaced. Some manufacturers provide tread depth indicators inside the grooves of tires. These are usually small sections of raised rubber attached to the legal minimum tread depth of 1 mm. Most of the time, you can tell by looking at your tires that they are a little broken. However, if you`re not sure, more sophisticated measurement tools are at your disposal. Driving with tires with a smaller tread depth also makes you more vulnerable to punctures, uncomfortable loose nails, and other tire damage because they`re thin.

Threaded grooves give tires grip in wet conditions; Their depth is how we monitor the remaining life of a tire. The penalty for riding a motorcycle with bare tyres is a fixed fine of £100 and three points per tyre. If the offence is aggravated by the District Court, this fine can be up to £2500 per tyre and may be prohibited from driving. Your tires are one of the most important parts of your bike and you need to make sure they are safe and legal every time you hit the road. If you underpump or overpump your tires, they can wear out faster, especially at higher speeds.