Motorcycle Tyres

Tread Carefully: All you need to know about Motorcycle Tyre Replacement

The humble motorcycle tyre is the only point of contact between you, your bike and the road. It needs only basic maintenance and inspection to perform its essential job. Yet we take tyres for granted. Let's take a closer look at motorcycle tyre replacement, the reason for wear and tyre types. We will also investigate why aftermarket tyres are better than the original equipment manufacturers. This information will arm you with everything you need to select the correct tyre for your motorcycle.

Reasons for Tyre Replacement

Tyres like brake pads and drive chains are consumables. Over time they'll need replacing and if you've ever wondered what causes them to wear out, these are the main reasons.

Wear and Tear

Wear and tear is the most common cause of motorcycle tyre replacement. It means you've ridden so many kilometres that the tread has worn down and the tyre no longer offers enough grip. Too many regular highway miles can also square off tread patterns. When this happens it compromises their cornering ability.

Damage

Hit a deep hole or any other road hazard and you can sustain damage to the tyre. Check your tread and sidewalls for splits or bulges if this type of incident occurs.

Shelf Life

Most tyre makers recommend replacing motorcycle tyres five years after their date of manufacture. You can check this by looking for the date of manufacture printed on the tyre wall. If your motorcycle has been standing in a garage for a few years, while it may look roadworthy, the tyre compound will have dried out. Rubber compounds perish over time, resulting in the sidewalls collapsing or the tread becoming brittle. However, it is a common misconception that new tyres have an expiry date. Rubber is degraded by heat and UV radiation, which means that new tyres stored correctly are not adversely affected in terms of function and safety over time. XLMOTO stores tyres in a dark and cool place to prevent them from ageing, so you can always expect fresh tyres when you buy from us.

Under or Over Inflation

If you run your tyres with lower than recommended pressure, you can ruin the sidewalls. On the flip side, too much pressure and a tyre will wear prematurely in the centre of the tread. Either way, you will need to replace your motorcycle tyres sooner than you thought.

How to Check Motorcycle Tyres

Every brand of tyre wears differently. Your motorcycle, riding style, terrain and climate will impact the tyre's lifespan. However, regardless of the brand or how fast they wear, it's possible to check all tyres in the same way. To inspect your motorcycle tyres, they need to be off the floor. You can do this using either the main or paddock stand. If possible, wash the tyres first, making it easier to identify any issues. With a good light source, check the tread. First, rotate the wheel slowly by hand. Next, look for nails, screws, or any sharp items. Then check the condition and depth of the tread. Next, inspect the sidewall for tears, lumps, or cracks. If you discover any of these problems combined with a low tread depth, it may mean it's time for a replacement tyre.

Considerations when Replacing Motorcycle Tyres

When it comes time to tyre replacement, there are things you need to consider. First, size is important because a tyre should be a correct fit with the rim. The motorcycle owner's manual will quote the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) sizes. Other things to consider are speed and load ratings. All tyres have safety ratings related to both. These give a maximum top speed and the maximum weight the tyre can handle. The back tyre on a road motorcycle will wear out much faster than the front. . This uneven wear is due to acceleration, load distribution and more use of the back brake. While replacing just the rear tyre is possible, it is essential to know that motorcycle tyres are designed to work in pairs. Replacing both front and rear tyres at the same time works best. However, if you decide to replace the rear only, make sure the front is in excellent condition and that the replacement rear tyre is the same make and model as the front.

Legal Requirements

Most countries have specific rules and regulations relating to legal requirements for motorcycle tyres. These get checked at regular inspection periods. For example, in the UK, this annual inspection is called an MoT. In Greece, the same process, or KTEO, is every two years, while in Germany, a TUV inspection occurs every two years. An authorised technician examines the motorcycle tyres during each inspection, looking for damage and tread depth. Replacement is mandatory if they fail, so check your tyres and replace them if necessary before booking an inspection.

Motorcycle Tyre Types

They may look like simple rubber hoops but motorcycle tyres are complex pieces of kit. Whether an adventure bike or supersport, each motorcycle type has its particular requirements. These get taken care of in the construction and compounds of the tyre. Today’s motorcycle tyre technology is so advanced that it can incorporate different compounds into the same tyre to provide maximum performance. For example, a sports/touring tyre may have a hard compound in the centre yet a softer rubber on the sides for extra grip. In addition, the tread design will enable it to push water away from the tyre. Whether you do lots of highway travel or bend swing through the mountains, rest assured, XLMOTO has an aftermarket motorcycle tyre for every reason and season.