Motorcycle Tire Maintenance
Your motorcycle is a symbol of freedom and adventure, and the high speeds and tight turns it’s capable of make that a reality. But those same things can also take a heavy toll on your tires, so take good care of them to keep your bike running smoothly and on the road instead of in the shop.
That’s why we’ve put together a few of our favorite tips for keeping your tires in top shape. If you still have questions or you’re looking for your next bike, come visit us at North County Indian Motorcycle® in San Marcos, California.
Inspections
Obviously, step one for any maintenance concern is to conduct an inspection. Checking in on your tires frequently can help you find a problem before it becomes serious, dangerous, or expensive to fix.
Always start with a visual inspection. Look for bumps, bubbles, or cracks on your tires and especially on the tire sidewalls. These can indicate that the tire is losing structural integrity and may have a blowout. If you find anything like that, bring your bike in for maintenance as soon as you can.
Tread Lightly
Make sure to check your tread carefully. You’re looking for two things. The first is any gravel or other debris caught in the tread. This might wear the tread down faster than normal or even pose a risk to the tire as a whole, so remove any your find. The second is for typical wear and tear.
Your tire treads are what provide traction on the road and the amount of wear on them can affect acceleration, deceleration, and turns. The tread will naturally wear down over time, which can’t be avoided, so check your owner’s manual to learn how to check your tread level and what levels are safe. You should also verify that both tires are wearing down at the same rate, meaning the tread on both is about the same level. If not, one may be inflated improperly or your wheels may be misaligned. Both problems can be solved in a good service department.
Inflation
Proper tire inflation is vital to optimize your tires for conditions on the open road, and to optimize your bike’s performance overall. If your tires are over- or under-inflated, it can affect acceleration, deceleration, braking, and load-bearing performance. The correct level of inflation can also lower your gas mileage, decrease wear and tear, make the ride more comfortable, and generally keep your tires working for longer.
Check your owner’s manual again to find the ideal pressure for your tires, then use a tire pressure gauge to check the psi. This is best done in the morning when your tires are cold, which can help you get an accurate reading. Once you have one, make any necessary adjustments to match the pressure given in your manual.
Preventative Maintenance
The best way to keep your tires in good condition is to take care of them in small ways every day. Preventative maintenance can reduce or even prevent serious damage, avoiding replacements or accidents and saving you a lot of trouble and money.
Keep It Clean
Your tires are going to run through, over, and around some nasty stuff. Dirt, gravel, and other debris can get stuck in your tread or coat your tires over time. This can lead to damage or loss of traction in extreme cases. Grab a powerful hose and rinse them down every so often to avoid problems.
Load Up And Watch Out
Your bike can handle a lot, but be careful to never weigh it down too much. No matter how hardy your tires are, carrying excessive weight puts excess pressure on them and they’ll wear out faster. Debris or other obstacles that normally wouldn’t be a problem also suddenly becomes a much bigger concern and can wear down your shocks or even puncture a wheel. If you have to carry a heavy load and you hit unexpected bumps, pull over when you can to make sure nothing went wrong. It takes less time to do that than to have a blowout and get the tire replaced!
Storage
When you’re not chasing the horizon, make sure your motorcycle is in a covered location or garage whenever possible. Sunshine might do you good, but it can harden and crack a tire’s sidewalls. Rapidly changing temperatures and humidity can also cause problems, so anywhere that’s cool and dry will make for a good storage space. If it’s sharing that space with any corrosive materials, however, make sure to keep them separated.
If you’re storing the bike for an extended period of time, consider putting it on a stand to give your tires a break. If there’s constant pressure on them for long periods of time, they might deflate or wear down unevenly. If you don’t have a stand, rotate the tires regularly.
Once you’ve done all that, your tires should be on track for a long, productive life. If you have other questions or you’re in need of parts, service, or financing, don’t hesitate to call on North County Indian Motorcycle®. We proudly serve San Diego and Oceanside, California, and we’re ready to serve you today!