Motorcycle Tire Basics
For something as simple as a black ring of rubber and metal, tires are extremely important in the overall scheme of your motorcycle's health. They're not as sexy as the engine, and they're not as visually noteworthy, as your fenders, seat and handlebars, but tires are responsible for a huge amount of your bike's performance and safety. They provide grip through turns, traction for acceleration, cushioning for to reduce vibration, and the list goes on. But how much do you know about your tires?
Read on to learn about motorcycle tires, including how they're built, how to take care of them, and when it's time to change them. This guide is brought to you by Cycles Of Jacksonville, the leader for motorcycle parts, service, and maintenance in Jacksonville, Florida.
Motorcycle Tire Construction
Motorcycle tires may look like a round lump of rubber, but they're built to exacting specifications. Motorcycle tires consist of five essential parts: the sidewall, the tread, the bead, the carcass, and the valve stem. The tread is the part of the tire that grips the pavement and takes the most punishments. Moving towards the center you'll find the sidewall which is, as you might be able to guess, the side of the tire. This is what's visible in profile, and it provides cushioning and support for your ride. Moving further towards the center you'll find the bead. This Moving in further still is the valve stem. Some might not really consider this part of the tire since it actually extends from the rim of the wheel. This is a valid point, but since the valve stem is generally made out of rubber like your tire, and since it controls the inflation of the tire, we're going to count it. The final part, the carcass, is basically the body of the tire and it encompasses the other parts.
Choosing the Right Tires for Your Bike
The secret to choosing the right tires for your bike is to not choose them yourself. This isn't to say you can't have input on tire choice, but it's best to start with manufacturer recommendations as these tires are designed to work with the performance features of your bike. Tires don't just vary by shape. Anyone could look at a knobby dirtbike tire and guess that it probably wouldn't do that much good on a superbike. What may be less obvious are the types of rubber from which the tires are made, the sidewall width, the tire arc, and many other factors. It's unwise to buy secondhand tires for this reason (not to mention the fact that you don't know how many miles the tires have under their belt.) All of this is to say, consult a motorcycle tire expert before you buy tires, such as those on the team at Cycles Of Jacksonville!
Tire Maintenance
Tire maintenance starts with tire pressure. Try to keep your tires at a consistent pressure as much as possible. Keep a tire pressure gauge on hand whenever you ride so that you can keep track of major changes in pressure. Some newer bikes even come with a tire pressure monitoring system for this purpose. If your tire pressure is off, you can sap your bike of power and fuel efficiency, not to mention severely decrease the lifespan of your tires.
Make sure you also inspect the tread of your tires regularly. Check for debris or foreign objects that might have been picked up on the road. These might not immediately deflate your tire, but over time they can break through and eventually cause a blowout. After longer rides, wash your tires with soap and water to remove road salt and dirt which can corrode your tires.
When to Change Your Tires
So how do you know when to change your tires? Well, the simplest way is to pay attention to the odometer. Motorcycle tires don't last much longer the 10,000 miles, and should be replaced after no more than 15,000 miles. That's about a year of driving for someone who uses their motorcycle as their main transportation. Beyond the numbers, you can keep track of your tires by checking out the wear. Many tires have wear bars built right in. These are pieces of rubber that bisect your tires' grip lines. You will only see the wear bars, however, once the tire is in need of replacement. Obviously, any major foreign metal objects in your tires warranty tire replacement, too.
Hopefully this gives you some information about your motorcycle tires that will help you keep them in good shape and replace them once their lifespan is up. Cycles Of Jacksonville replaces tires for all types of motorcycles. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will get your bike back on the road in no time. If you live near Jacksonville, St. Augustine, or Orlando, Florida, stop by Cycles Of Jacksonville today!