Motorcycle Tires and Tire Failures

Like passenger tires, motorcycle tires are susceptible to manufacturing defects and tire failures. Unlike a passenger car however, a motorcycle is much more likely to suffer a loss of control should a tire fail. Unsafe motorcycle tires are out in circulation and some of them are already included in motorcycle tire recalls. If you have been injured from a motorcycle tire failure or defect, please contact us as soon as possible.

Your Safety Rides On Your Motorcycle Tires

Notice what your tires are telling you while you're riding. If your steering response is slow or mushy, or if cornering and braking response is heavy, there's a good chance your tires are underinflated. Vibration or wobble may signal that actual tire damage has occurred and failure is imminent.

Properly maintaining your motorcycle and your motorcycle tires will allow you to achieve the maximum use out of your tires. Following the recommendations listed below will help extend tire perforamnce and yeild a safer ride.

Motorcycle Tire Safety:

• Motorcycle Tire Pressure and Inflation Maintenance
• Front and Rear Motorcycle Tire Matching
• Motorcycle Tire Load-Carrying Capabilities
• Maintaining Motorcycle Tire Clearance
• Motorcycle Rim Size
• Motorcycle Tubes
• Minimum Motorcycle Tire Tread Depth
• Motorcycle Tire Speed Ratings
• Motorcycle Tire Run-in Period
• Motorcycle Tire Repair
• Proper Motorcycle Maintenance
• Motorcycle Tire Wheel Balance
• Motorcycle Wheel Alignment
• Motorcycle Spokes
• Wheel and Rim Inspection
• Motorcycle Tire Sidewall Treatment
• Motorcycle Tire Storage Precautions
• Motorcycle Tire Mounting

Motorcycle Tire Pressure and Inflation Maintenance

Checking tire pressure is the most important tire maintenance function that you can perform on your motorcycle.

Keep in mind that hard cornering, passengers, heavy loads and sustained high speeds will require higher pressures (up to that indicated on the sidewall).

Never exceed the loading and accessories restrictions found in your motorcycle owner's manual, or the maximum load displayed on the tire sidewalls. Know your loaded vehicle weight.

Underinflated tires can result in imprecise cornering, higher running temperatures, irregular tread wear at the edge of the contact patch, fatigue cracking, overstressing and eventual failure of the tire carcass.

Overinflating tires does not increase load carrying capacity, but will result in a hard ride and accelerated tire wear in the center of the contact patch.

Check the air pressure in your motorcycle tires at frequent, regular intervals, particularly just before and during long trips. Use an accurate tire gauge that holds a reading and check pressures only when the tires are cold (i.e., wait one hour after running).

Repeated loss of inflation pressure may result from undetected tire damage. Visually inspect tires for punctures, cuts, abrasions, cracks, irregular wear, bulges, blisters or knots. Immediately remove and replace damaged tires.

Tires with non-repairable damage must not be used again. Damage caused by impacts, penetrations or continued underinflated/overloaded use is progressive and can result in sudden and complete tire failure.

Always seek expert inspection of the dismounted tire following curb, chuckhole or other impacts, evidence of penetration beyond the tire surface, bulges or low pressure. Do not continue riding on such tires.

Inspect your tires frequently for damage and always heed warning signs such as vibration, handling instability, rubbing or tire noise that occurs during operation of the motorcycle. If in doubt, ask your motorcycle tire dealer to check your loading, inflation and tires. Remember, your tires stand between you and a serious accident.

Back to Top

Front and Rear Motorcycle Tire Matching

Correctly matching front and rear motorcycle tires is important in obtaining optimum performance and handling. Mount motorcycle tires marked “front wheel” on front positions and tires marked “rear wheel” on rear positions. Mismatching tires may adversely affect handling and stability. Also, mixing worn with unworn tires, such as adding a new front tire with a worn rear tire, can cause instability.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tire Load-Carrying Capabilities

The load-carrying capability of all motorcycle tires is reduced by underinflation. Remember to check your tire pressure on a regular basis. It is possible to overload a tire even though it is the size specified by the motorcycle manufacturer. Maximum motorcycle tire loads and corresponding pressures are indicated on the sidewall. Tires offering different load-carrying capacities are available, but consider carefully the weight of the motorcycle, the weight of any optional equipment and whether it will carry passengers.

Most tire manufacturers do not recommend the use of touring trailers or warrant tires used on motorcycles pulling trailers. It is believed that trailers may contribute to motorcycle instability because they can grossly exaggerate tire stresses and overload. Such stresses and overload can cause irreversible tire damage resulting in sudden tire failure.

Back to Top

Maintaining Motorcycle Tire Clearance

If you intend to mount tire sizes other than those specified in the owner's manual, consult with the motorcycle manufacturer. A tire's physical dimensions are important, and adequate clearance of fenders and the swingarm must be maintained for safe driving. Also, keep in mind that increasing the tire size may require an increase in rim width. When increasing the tire size or rim width, rotate the wheel and inspect closely for sufficient clearance.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Rim Size

Correct rim width is essential to motorcycle handling and stability. A tire that is installed on a rim wider than recommended will have a flattened profile, and a rider may easily reach the edge of the tread during cornering. A tire that is installed on a rim narrower than recommended will alter the tire profile. Such a tire profile will concentrate tire wear in a very small area during cornering and create a smaller contact patch during braking.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tubes

Tubes are a crucial part of the tube-type wheel assembly. They should be treated with respect.

When fitting a new tire on a rim requiring a tube, a new tube should be fitted at the same time. Old tubes become stretched and if an old tube is fitted within a new tire, it can crease and fail due to thinning of the tube rubber. Tubes should be repaired only by an expert. Secure tube valve assembly to rim with care. Inspect rim band and consult motorcycle dealer for correct rim band replacement.

Always check the size markings on the tube to assure that the tire size appears on the tube. Do not fit tubes in radial motorcycle tires, nor fit radials on rims requiring tubes, unless the tubes bear matching size and radial (R) markings.

Back to Top

Minimum Motorcycle Tire Tread Depth

Excessively worn tires are more susceptible to penetrations and punctures by foreign objects. Always remove tires from service before they reach the tread wear indicator bars. Consult with the tire manufacturer for specific information on tire tread wear indicators for your specific motorcycle tire. Combining worn tires with unworn tires and using worn tires in wet road conditions will result in reduced motorcycle handling.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tire Speed Ratings

Manufacturers mark their tires with speed ratings to indicate the tire’s high-performance capability. No tire manufacturer recommends the use of any of their products in excess of legal speed limits. Do not mix motorcycle tire speed ratings front to rear. Damaged, altered, repaired, excessively worn, underinflated or overloaded tires will impact motorcycle handling and limit the rated capabilities of the tire. High speed tire failure could result in catastrophic injury or death.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tire Run-in Period

Mounting new or different tires on a motorcycle will effect its handling. Tire replacements for worn, differently patterned or constructed tires will not react the same. Motorcycle riders should be cautious and not subject new tires to maximum power, abrupt lean-overs or hard cornering until a reasonable run-in distance of approximately 100 miles has been traveled. Breaking in a new motorcycle tire allows the rider to become accustomed to the feel of the new tire or the new tire combination. Run-ins give motorcyclists the opportunity to safely find the edge of the tire and achieve optimum road grip for a range of speeds, acceleration and handling.

Check and adjust the inflation pressure to manufacturer recommended levels after the tire cools for at least three hours following the run-in. Remember, new tires will have a very different contact patch and lean-over edge. New tires, mixing a new tire with a worn older tire, and mixing different pattern combinations require careful ride evaluation.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tire Repair

Some punctures in motorcycle tires may be repaired. Using permanent plug-patch repairs of small tread area punctures from within the dismounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer are acceptable. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an inner tube as a substitute for proper repair. Your speed should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after the repair. A repaired tire should never be used over 75 mph. Check inflation pressure after the repaired tire cools for at least three hours following run-in, or sooner if you suspect air loss.

Liquid sealants should never be used to repair a motorcycle tire. Liquid sealants are a form of temporary repair, and they may adversely affect ply material, mask secondary damage caused by a penetrating object, change the balance of the tire and how the motorcycle handles, or even explode if combustable and given an ignition source. Using tire sealants can result in sudden tire failure or an accident.

Back to Top

Proper Motorcycle Maintenance

Regular inspection of the motorcycle, and of the wheels in particular, are strongly recommended. Tire mileage and performance are adversely affected by a poorly maintained motorcycle. Performing regular maintenance checks at the motorcycle dealer, inclusive of tire inspections, will help maximize the life of your motorcycle tires.

Maintain suspension settings in strict compliance with the vehicle owner's manual. Improperly maintained components and incorrect or unbalanced front fork pressures will affect stability. Low suspension pressure will generate excessive tire stresses and shorten the life of your tire.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tire Wheel Balance

It is vital that tire and wheel assemblies be balanced before use and rebalanced each time the tire is removed or replaced. Unbalanced tire and wheel assemblies can vibrate at certain speeds which will greatly accelerate tire wear and thus shorten the longevity of the tire.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Wheel Alignment

Align the wheels each time the rear wheel is removed or the chain or belt is adjusted. Each revolution of an incorrectly aligned wheel can scuff off tread rubber, reduce tire mileage, and impair steering and cornering.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Spokes

Immediately replace broken spokes and tighten any loose ones that you find. Broken spokes transfer additional tension to adjoining spokes. The added tension increases the chances for more spoke failures. After tightening or replacing spokes, be sure that the wheel rims run true.

Inspect the rim, rim band and tube, and replace any of these components if they are damaged before refitting the tire.

Both broken and loose spokes may cause wheel wobble, thus accelerating tire wear, and could cause instability.

Back to Top

Wheel and Rim Inspection

Bent wheel rims and bent or cracked cast wheels should be replaced immediately.

Bent rims may cause wheel wobble, bead unseating and, in the case of tubeless tires, gradual air loss. Sudden wheel failure may result from the use of cracked cast wheels. Be aware of these conditions and their consequences.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tire Sidewall Treatment

Use a mild soap solution to clean sidewalls, white striping or lettering, and rinse off with plain water. Never apply any other material, cleaners or dressings, to enhance sidewall appearance. These may degrade rubber and remove inherent ozone cracking/weather checking resistance.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tire Storage Precautions

The treatment that tires receive during extended periods of inactivity may directly affect their mileage and performance.

Temperature

Try to avoid frequent and varied extremes of temperature during storage.

Do not keep tires next to radiators or sources of heat. Tires subjected to these conditions will age more quickly than those stored in a cool, constant environment.

Sunlight

Tires stored in direct sunlight for long periods of time will harden and age more quickly than those kept in a dark or dimly lit area.

Ozone

Do not store tires where electric motors are present. The high concentration of ozone will accelerate tire aging.

Oil and Gasoline

Prolonged contact with oil or gasoline causes contamination of the rubber compound, making the tire unsuitable for use. Wipe off any oil or gasoline immediately with a clean rag.

Do not use any tire that has been exposed to oil, gasoline, corrosives or non-rubber compatible liquids.

Back to Top

Motorcycle Tire Mounting

Only specially trained persons should mount tires. Improper mounting can cause tire explosion and serious injury.

Back to Top

SOURCES: Dunlop, NHTSA, Safercar.gov

Tire Defects - Serious Accident and Injury Legal Help

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, or a loved one has been killed, as the result of a tire defect, tire failure, tread separation, tire blowout, rollover accident, or any other serious injury accident, then please call us to discuss your legal rights to a potential product liability lawsuit. Please fill out our online form by following the link below or call us right now: Toll Free 1-800-883-9858.

Click Here for a Free Tire Defect Case Evaluation