Ever wonder how you should inspect your tyres, and what might happen if they don't get the right maintenance?

Hello, everyone!

This article will take a look at the topic of pre-ride tyre inspections.
Tyres actually have quite a few different roles. You've never seen a motorcycle without tyres, right? Maybe it's a little obvious, but that's how essential they are to your ride. If you want to keep your tyres in tip-top shape, daily inspections are essential.

In this article, we will learn about the roles that tyres play and proper inspection methods!

1.Role of Tyres

The tyre is the only point at which your motorcycle contacts the road surface. That gives it four core roles:
　1. Supporting load
　2. Transmitting power to the road surface
　3. Changing and maintaining direction
　4. Mitigating impact from the road surface
This shows us that tyres are responsible for the most fundamental parts of your ride: driving, turning, and stopping.

Not only that, but there have been greater calls more recently for greater tyre performance beyond the above basic functions. For example, limiting road noise and reducing environmental impact are also becoming more important.

Failing to properly maintain these versatile and critical parts of your motorcycle can not only inhibit proper tyre function but could lead to different kinds of accidents.

In the following sections, we will take a look at how to inspect your tyres to ensure they are in the right condition.

2.Pre-Ride Inspection of Tyres

In this section, we will talk about the pre-ride tyre inspection.
Take a look at the following items for inspection.
　2-1. Inspecting for cracks and damage
　2-2. Inspecting for abnormal wear
　2-3. Inspecting tread depth
　2-4. Inspecting air pressure

2-1.Inspecting for cracks and damage

Inspect the entire circumference of the tyre for cracks, damage, or any nails, stones, or other foreign objects that may be stuck in the tyre.
Make sure to inspect your tyres after any contact with the side of a curb or other object on the road, or when riding over any large bumps. If left unattended, the risk of a tyre bursting during a drive will increase.

2-2.Inspecting for abnormal wear

Inspect the surface where the tyres contact the road for abnormal wear.
Extremely worn areas will shorten tyre life and lead to vibration and noise.

2-3.Inspecting tread depth

Check your tread depth by looking for a wear indicator on your tyres, commonly called a wear bar. If you can see this bar on a tyre, replace that tyre immediately. In order to ensure a safe drive, replace tyres when the depth in the central treads reaches the minimum remaining tread depth. If there is not sufficient tread, you can experience difficulty steering and braking.

2-4.Inspecting air pressure

Tyre pressure decreases gradually over time. Driving with insufficient air pressure may result in poor fuel economy and reduced driving performance. It can be hard to visually detect under-inflation for some tyres, so be sure to check air pressure using a tyre gauge at least once a month.
Tyres can also warm up during driving, causing them to over-inflate. Be sure to inspect them when they have cooled off.
The right air pressure levels will vary from motorcycle to motorcycle and is often found on a label on the frame or chain guard. This information is also available in your owner's manual.

3.Summary

In this article, we took a look at the roles that tyres play and proper pre-ride inspection methods.
Tyres are very important for safe driving and are a component subject to wear and tear, so don't forget to inspect them.
Note that depending on the environment in which the tyre is used, it may not perform as well as it should. For example, older tyres are at greater risk of bursting at extreme road temperatures, and are more likely to slip at extremely low temperatures, so it is important to inspect them carefully.
In addition, while the pre-ride inspection is a simple inspection, dealers conduct more detailed, periodic inspections. It is recommended that tyres that have been in use for more than five years undergo these periodic inspections.
If you are facing any issues with your tyres or want a periodic inspection, we recommend you consult with your dealer.

Note that methods described in this article are only for some models and will vary from model to model. Please refer to the owner's manual for your bike for details on how to take on maintaining your actual vehicle.

We hope you will stay aware of inspecting your bike on a daily basis to have a more comfortable motorcycle life!