Safety First

Each day before you start your engine, it is essential to ensure that your front and rear tire are all properly inflated at all times in accordance with the motorcycle manufacturer’s recommendations. Running with correctly inflated tires ensures the safety of the driver, passengers, carry loads and third parties. Proper inflation also makes significant contributions to straight line, corner handling and under braking. It also prolongs the life expectancy of your tires. Running under inflated can cause premature wear and tear and irreversible damage to your tires and rims. Running over inflated leads to less contact and less grip on the road surface causing more bumpy rides, slippery when wet and poor braking power.

Inflation Pressures

Take note that tires get hot through long journey. The hot temperature of the tires causes the tire inflated pressure to rise. But the air pressure of the tire will normalize when the temperature of the tires cool down. So never release air from a tire that is hot. It is only necessary to add air only if pressure is found to be lower than recommended value, especially when you experience a flat tire after a long journey. Keep in mind that the correct pressure of a hot tire is 3.5 PSI or 0.3 kg/cm2 higher than recommended pressure of the same tire when cold. After checking the inflated pressure, remember to put back the valve cap and the valve core to ensure an air-tight seal.

Initial Warm Up

New motorcycle tires need a running-in period to reach its full potential performance. For the first 100 km, it is necessary to gradually cut through corners at moderate speeds. Each time you start engine, it is important to run the first few kilometers at a moderate speed. This allows the tires to heat up to its working temperature and benefit for that optimum grip of the road.

Tread Wear

Check your tires regularly for wear by inspecting the tread band. There are about 4 to 6 tread wear indicators at the tread area in a tire and is pointed by an arrow on the sidewall. It is important that the tire tread maintain full contact on the road surface at all times and usage as the tire tread gradually wears, its ability to clear water diminishes. Reduce speeds on wet roads.Inspect your tread wear indicators regularly and make sure the tread wear is even. Uneven wear may be caused by incorrect inflation pressure, overloading and uneven mechanical adjustments. Drivers must be careful with the inflation pressure, load weight, running speed and riding style (braking and acceleration). Do not make any sudden acceleration and sudden brakes. Beyond the driver’s control are the zigzag roads, poor road surface quality and high road temperature. Excessive tread wear may also be caused by mechanical problems eg. Warped rim, poor damping, steering play or a wheel or frame alignment problem, etc.

Load Index

Aside from poor inflation, riding style and rough roads excessive tread wear may also be caused by excessive load weight. Be sure to check your tire’s labels for its load capacity index.

Replacement

Before replacing the tires, it is very important to first check the condition of the rim. Replace to new rim if necessary. As a general rule, the original tire size of the motorcycle is the specified tire size of the motorcycle manufacturer. Therefore it is highly recommended to replace the original tire with a tire of the same size, same speed rating and same load index may have irreversible consequences to your rim or motorcycle. Also improper setting of the tires must be made by professionals or experienced person. After replacing new tires, it is also recommended to replace a new tube. Always keep in mind that your safety depends on the quality of your tires and tubes.