We riders must be aware of the two types of tire construction – the bias-ply and the radial. Cruisers, usually use bias-ply tires. On the other hand, sport bikes use radials. Bias-ply has a round profile and high sidewalls while a radial tire has a flatter profile and shorter sidewalls.
In bias-ply, the carcass is made up of overlapping layers of nylon or rayon cords. The flexing action generates heat to result to a good grip. The disadvantage though of this construction is that it decreases performance and accelerates tire wear when too much heat is generated. Radial tire construction, however, got its name because its plies are running at a 90-degree angle. As oppose to the bias-ply, this construction reduces heat generation. As a result, tires are cooler. The adverse effect though is that the sidewalls are easily flexed. Thus, the sidewalls are given a shorter profile. Tire pressure really matters to the tires. Therefore, it has to be checked regularly.
Aside from tire construction, we must also be knowledgeable about tire wear in relation to choosing tires. Softer compounds are good in producing more traction however, they wear out quickly. Harder compounds have better wear but they may not cause a good grip. Moreover, OEM or aftermarket motorcycle parts manufacturers and distributors must consider dealing with effective grip coupled with longer mileage when it comes to tires. This is of course to prolong the life of motorcycle tires.
One factor that can affect tire wear is the rider’s riding style. Aggressive riders usually have their front tire to wear out faster than the rear. This is because they tend to brake late with mostly the front brake. In contrast, cruiser riders, normally wear out the rear tire first. The reason is that they have more weight at the back of the bike.
In order to know, when to change your tires, you can do the ‘penny test’. To do this, put a penny into a tire groove with its head pointing down if you can see the top of the head of the person in the coin, well, its time to change tires. It can be an indication that the tread depth has already reached 1/32 of an inch. Remember, new tires will have a very different contact patch and lean-over edge.
Have a feel of your new tires. Yield a better and optimum road grip and find your edge in the riding community!
One important check is the air pressure of your tire. Always maintain the proper pressure and you will have a safer ride. Also, the motorcycle will ride better and perform as it should. Never let the air pressure get so low that you have a hard time controlling the bike.
Also, when the tire has low air pressure it can cause the tire to separate and cause blowouts. The cause of the blowout is due to the tire heating up because of not maintaining proper air pressure.
Tread wear of your tires is very important. Without enough tread you are asking for a accident. Most manufactures recommend that a tread depth of 32 seconds of an inch is low enough. When they are at this depth its time to replace the tire.
I know people ride in their car with bald tires but its not a good practice with a motorcycle. You only have two tires and you need them both to prevent an accident. Play it safe and make sure you have the correct tread depth.
Your rims play a important part in helping your tires last longer and in shape. If you have spoke rims its a must to ensure that the spokes are tighten correctly. I would recommend a professional tighten them because they have the right equipment and know how. You may have tighten the spokes on your bicycle but there's more at stake when you have a motorcycle.
If you have solid rims they can become dent or out of line which will cause your tire to wear faster and cause them to wobble. This will make it very unsafe to drive. Replace them immediately; never ride a motorcycle with bent rims.
Don't mix your tire because this can cause problems. When you replace your tires they should both be the same size, rating, and type. The performance of your motorcycle will be better with tires that are the same. Safer also.
When you purchase your tires you need to decide what kind of riding you will be doing. Motorcycle tires are designed for the type of riding the individual will do. Maybe you ride on dirt roads alot. In that case you would want a tire with softer rubber. To ride the open road you need a firmer tire for better traction and control. So be sure and purchase the right tire for the right pavement.
Deciding and mainting your motorcycle tires is a very important decision. Don't take it lightly and you will have many safe miles.
Both Maricon Williams & Phil Reusch are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.