Motorcycle Tyres
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MOTORCYCLE TYRES SAFE TYRES SAVE LIVES tyresafe.org Motorcycle Tyres and Your Safety General Advice in tyre size or type (construction) Tyres are the only parts of the should not be undertaken without motorcycle which are in contact seeking advice from the motorcycle with the road. Safety in acceleration, or tyre manufacturers, as the effect braking, steering and cornering all on motorcycle handling, safety and depend on a relatively small area clearances must be taken into account. of road contact. It is therefore of The tyre industry has long recognised paramount importance that tyres the consumer’s role in the regular care should be maintained in good condition and maintenance of their tyres. The at all times and that when the time point at which a tyre is replaced is a comes to change them suitable decision for which the owner of the replacements are fitted. tyre is responsible. The original tyres for a motorcycle In some other European countries it are determined by joint consultation is illegal to use replacements which between the motorcycle and differ in certain respects (e.g. size, load, tyre manufacturers and take into construction, and speed rating) from account all aspects of operation. the tyre fitted originally by the vehicle It is recommended that changes manufacturer. DIAGONAL RADIAL PLY BIAS-BELTED (CROSS PLY) BELTS ANGLED FABRIC ANGLED FABRIC PLIES FABRIC BELT AT PLIES (NOT ANGLED) PLIES SIMILAR BEAD FILLER ANGLES TO PLIES INNER INNER INNER TUBELESS TUBELESS TUBELESS LINING WIRE BEAD LINING WIRE BEAD LINING WIRE BEAD (ON TUBELESS TYRES) (ON TUBELESS TYRES) (ON TUBELESS TYRES) Choosing the Right Tyre All three construction types can be manufactured in differing tread profiles Today’s motorcycles vary in design and patterns which may also be and specification including scooter and available for front and rear fitment. all-terrain to suit a variety of pursuits including; race, street, sport, touring, It is recommended that tyres be off-road and leisure. fitted in matched pairs for optimum performance (in certain European Tyres should be chosen with both the Motorcycle Tyres and Your Safety countries it is illegal to mix brands on motorcycle and the application in mind. the same bike. Local tyre regulations For guidance, or if in doubt, you should be checked when taking your should: bike abroad). a) Refer to the owner’s manual Special tyres are available for b) Consult a tyre specialist sporting events, some of which are c) Use the tyre manufacturer’s unsuitable for road use and are marked fitment guide book accordingly (normally NHS – Not for Highway Service). Types of Tyres Mixing of Tyres There are three basic tyre construction types: It is illegal and could be dangerous • Diagonal (cross) ply to mix tyres of different construction • Radial ply on motorcycles in certain ways; for permitted fitments refer to table • Bias belted (overleaf). Depending on the wheel type, these If in doubt a tyre specialist should may be tubeless (no tube required); be consulted, but to avoid any or tube type (requiring an inner tube). misunderstanding it is recommended that both tyres on a motorcycle, and should be sought from the tyre all tyres on a combination, should be specialist or tyre manufacturer. Specific of the same construction and from the advice from the tyre manufacturer is same tyre manufacturer. recommended for tyres fitted to classic Where sidecars are fitted and the and vintage motorcycles pre 1960 sidecar axle aligns with either of the where pressures quoted in the original motorcycle axles, the sidecar tyre handbook may be inappropriate. must be of the same construction An indication of maximum load at a as the tyre with which it aligns. given pressure is marked on all tyre sidewalls. This should not be used as a recommended pressure. Pressures Front fitment Rear Option must be adjusted appropriately for solo X-ply X-ply and for pillion and pannier loads. It is Bias belt X-ply dangerous to re-inflate a tyre which Radial has been run flat or seriously under inflated. Such tyres should be removed Bias belt Bias belt Bias belt for inspection by a tyre specialist. Radial Prolonged under-inflation causes Radial Radial Radial excessive flexing, deterioration of the casing and rapid wear of the tread Keep the Pressure Correct shoulders/edges. Your motorcycle may The correct tyre inflation pressure is also consume more fuel. vitally important for safe handling of Over-inflation may result in an the motorcycle. The recommended uncomfortable ride, a reduced area tyre pressures for original equipment of contact with the road, accelerated tyres will be stated in the motorcycle wear on the tread centre and makes owner’s manual. For fitment of the tyre more susceptible to impact aftermarket alternative tyres, advice damage. CORRECT UNDER OVER INFLATION INFLATION INFLATION TREAD CONTACT TREAD CONTACT TREAD CONTACT WITH ROAD WITH ROAD WITH ROAD Inflation pressures should be checked tread depth, cracking or crazing of the once a week when the tyre is cold, tread or sidewall rubber, cuts or bulges, since there is an increase in pressure foreign objects, as well as being alert when the tyre has warmed up after to any change in dynamic performance being run. A reliable and accurate or behaviour such as air loss, noise or pressure gauge should be used. vibration. Running-in Tyres Driving over pot holes, kerbs and speed bumps, even at low speeds, can The running-in period allows the tyre result in the weakening or fracture of to settle itself onto the wheel rim, the tyre structure. serves to “scuff-in” the tread surface The consumer should be the first to and allows the rider to adjust to the recognise an in-service impact and ‘feel’ and handling of the new tyres. then ensure immediate inspection by After fitting, before moving off, ensure a tyre professional, who can also offer the tread surface is not contaminated advice and guidance. Lumps or bulges in any way: clean off fitting lubricant, could indicate internal damage and buff around the tread circumference should be examined by a tyre specialist with a dry cloth, and ensure the label without delay. is removed. Confirm correct tyre Oil and grease should be removed with pressures. a suitable diluted detergent. Each time new tyres are fitted, the motorcycle should be driven very Watch your Tread cautiously and the tyres not subjected Tyre treads are designed to give good to maximum power or speed for wet grip but the road surface condition the first 100 miles, i.e. avoid sudden also plays a significant role in tyre to acceleration, maximum braking or hard road adhesion. In general, wet grip cornering. Particular care should be decreases as tyre tread patterns wear taken on wet or greasy road surfaces. down and as the depth of surface After 100 miles, the tyres should then water increases. Motorcyclists should be checked to ensure the correct take this into consideration and reduce seating and inflation. After this initial speed when it is wet. period, lean angles, acceleration Motorcycle tyres normally have tread and braking forces can be gradually wear indicators in the tread grooves increased. and as these are approached during Inspection and Maintenance the service life of your tyre you should consider replacement. Once Regular inspection becomes the indicators are level with the tread increasingly important the longer the surface the tyre should be renewed tyre is kept in service. Consumers are - but this should not be the only strongly encouraged to be aware of deciding factor on tyre replacement. their tyres’ visual condition such as The legal limit of tyre tread depth in Motorcyclists should consult their tyre the UK for motorcycles over 50cc is specialist, the vehicle manufacturer or 1mm across 3/4 of the width of the relevant tyre manufacturer regarding tread pattern and with visible tread advice on the service life of their tyres. on the remaining 1/4. For motorcycles The manufactured date of a tyre can up to 50cc the law requires that all be determined by the numbers at the the grooves of the original tread end of the “DOT CODE” located on pattern must be clearly visible. The one lower sidewall of each tyre legal requirements may differ in other (E.g. “ DOT XX XX XXX 2716” was countries. manufactured in the 27th week of It is recommended to consider 2016). replacing motorcycle tyres in advance Tyre Load and Speed Markings of the legal requirement i.e. at 2mm Motorcycle tyres have markings Remove any stones or other objects to indicate their load and speed that may become embedded in the capabilities. These are moulded on the tread. If left, they may penetrate sidewall adjacent to, or part of, the size through the casing and cause a designation as a service description puncture. comprising a load index (e.g. ‘73’ in Tyre Service Life and Ageing table 2) for load carrying capacity and a speed symbol (e.g. ‘W’ in table 1) for Tyres can deteriorate with age which speed capability. may show as cracking of the tread and sidewall rubber, sometimes Details of load indices and speed accompanied by carcass deformation. symbols can be found in tables 1 & 2 overleaf. Cracking is usually an indication that tyres have been in service for It is strongly recommended to always an extremely long time, but rubber fit tyres that have a load index and deterioration may be brought about speed capability at least equal to or by poor storage conditions. If cracking higher than those originally specified is evident seek professional advice or by the motorcycle manufacturer. replace the tyre. NB: Load carrying capacity is reduced Tyres should be removed from service for speeds in excess of 210 km/h for for several reasons including tread ‘V’ speed rated tyres and 240 km/h wear (down to legal limit), damage for ‘W’ and above speed rated tyres.