Understanding the Basics of Motorcycle Tires

There are so many important parts to a motorcycle, but which two are possibly more vital to safety and performance than anything else? Your tires, you know, the parts that touch the ground and make you move. You know that your tires do more than contribute to your bike’s sweet look, and since they’re such an essential part to your motorcycle’s drivability, you might want an idea about what they’re made of. At the very least, you should definitely know the basic steps for taking care of them, because ignoring things like tire pressure and wear can lead to poor performance and, worst of all, a dangerous blowout. At Indian Motorcycle of Orange County, we made a short guide to checking, maintaining, and replacing your motorcycle tires. We want everyone to stay on the road, so if you need any help with maintenance, schedule an appointment at our parts or service department at our dealership in Orange County, serving the areas of Santa Ana, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, California.

Your Tire’s Parts

To function properly, a tire has to be more than a round piece of rubber wrapped around wheels. You probably already know a little bit about it, but to fully understand a modern tire’s complexity, review these parts that are essential in every tire. All tires have four main parts, including the tread, carcass, bead, and sidewall. The tread is what makes you motorcycle perform well, as it is the outer shell which pushes those miles of road behind you. The carcass is the cordage under the tread, and it fills up your tire to maintain its structure. The bead connects the tires to your wheels, while the sidewall, which most people are familiar with, supports your bike’s weight with a strong, firm siding. Many modern bikes use designs called bias ply constructions in the carcass, which is an array of cords that run at a 30-45 degree angle to the tread center line. This design creates a stronger sidewall and typically cheaper tire, so you’ll have more support when hitting the road and cornering hard.

Using the Right Tires

Before choosing a tire, be sure to check the specs that your owner’s manual gives you to see which one sizes match your motorcycle. You’ll need ones with the right sidewall height and width, or else your bike could be unsafe to ride, and won’t perform nearly as well.

Pressure

You should check your tire pressure regularly, at least once a month, to ensure your tires last longer and provide a safer ride. You can check your tire pressure at a service station, but for convenience’s sake, we recommend getting a tire pressure gauge. These useful tools are usually pretty cheap, and give an accurate reading when you test a cold tire on a bike that hasn’t been ridden for a couple hours. If you notice your pressure is lower than the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, take your bike to a service station, or use your own air compressor if you have one.

When to Change your Tires

Sometimes, whether because of wear or just old age, your tires are simply too beat up to keep driving on. To check your tire’s wear, modern tires have wear bars to tell you when the tread’s too thin. If you have less than 1/16” of tread at any point on your tire, it’s not safe to ride on, and you should replace it immediately. If you have older tires that don’t have wear bars (any tire older than 5 years), you should replace them right away, or at least take your motorcycle into your dealership, and we’ll let you know how much life your tires have left on them.

As with any part of your bike, diligent maintenance and checks on your tires is key to maximizing the life, performance, and dependability of your motorcycle, as well as your own safety. If you think it’s time to get new tires, or need any other parts and services for your motorcycle, come into Indian Motorcycle of Orange County, and we’ll get your bike street-ready again for endless adventures on the road!