You Must Be Trippin'

Taking Care of the Rubber Side

November 3 2009 by Jason Fogelson

When you're riding your motorcycle, in the best of all possible conditions, the only thing that touches the road is the contact patch on your tire. And yet many riders pay little or no attention to their tires before heading out for a ride.

I'd like to encourage you to spend a few minutes thinking about your tires right now; a few minutes inspecting your tires later; and a few minutes checking your tires before each and every ride.

What should you look for when you check your tires?

We all know that it's important to check tire inflation pressure. Your bike should have a VIN sticker or VIN plate that displays recommended tire pressure and GVWR. Your owner's manual will also have a page detailing correct tire pressure, front and rear -- the numbers are frequently different, depending on the size and type of bike you ride. Try to check your tires and add air (if necessary) when the tires are cool. Once tires heat up from riding, air pressure readings will rise, because hot air expands.

Don't overinflate or underinflate -- both conditions can lead to handling issues, and possible tire failure.

Give your tires a thorough visual inspection -- look for areas of uneven wear, abrasions, lumps or other abnormalities. If you find any, don't ride, unless you're on a low speed ride to the nearest dealership for a tire replacement.

Inspect your valve stems. Make sure that they are in good shape, and that your valve stem caps are screwed on tightly. Those caps are there for a reason -- they keep the valve from picking up dirt, and they protect against minor leaking.

If your tires are getting old, even if they don't show excessive wear, replace them. Rubber deteriorates by exposure to air, and a 10 year-old tire is not considered safe to use. If your bike sits for long periods, your tires are aging even when you're not riding.

Resist the urge to use tire dressing on your tires. Clean your tires with simple soap and water only. Tire dressing and other polishes can make your tires slick and unpredictable, especially when you encounter puddles and wet surfaces.

Spend just a few minutes on your tires, and you'll have a much better chance of keeping the rubber side down.

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