In this post we share insights about motorcycle tyre care to make sure that you are not left stranded on the road.
Tyre is a crucial component of every four-wheeler and two-wheeler. Both performance and safety depend on the condition of your tyres, which in turn depend on proper maintenance of tyres. Since bike tyres see more routine usage in comparison to car tyres, it is even more important that you take good care of your bike tyres.
But, before we go into the maintenance bit, let’s first understand what the tyre does. Your bike tyre performs the following functions:
- Producing traction for acceleration and braking.
- Providing steering control and directional stability.
- Bearing the vehicle, rider and carry weight.
- Absorbing vibrations from the road and providing ride comfort.
Since tyres are perishable components, they wear over time with use. Improper care and use can damage a tyre. Also, the rubber compound is also prone to damage from ageing, as it gets tougher over time. Here’s what you can do to keep tyres from getting damaged and have them performing at peak.
Air Pressure: The most important factor that contributes to extending a tyre’s life is proper inflation. Most Indian bike owners do not give much thought to maintaining air pressure. As a result, most Indian bikes run on under inflated tyres, causing increased traction, hence reduced fuel efficiency. Moreover, under inflated tyres loose shape and are prone to impact damage and bursts. A weekly check of Psi levels (air pressure) in your bike tyres can save you from unwarranted tread wear and tyre damage. Every bike tyre has engravings to indicate ideal Psi on its sidewall.
Checking the Tread: Tread is the pattern or design that you see on the surface of the tyre. Every bike tyre brand has its own patented tread technology. The design of the tread is optimised as per the use case of the bike tyre. For e.g. blocky tread patterns are used in dirt and off-road bikes, whereas linear tread designs are generally used in street bike tyres, as they offer better steering control in tight city lanes. Checking the tread is fairly easy in modern bike tyres from brands like Apollo Tyres, wherein they include markers within the grooves for checking tread wear. If the tread has worn down to the ‘bridge like’ connector in-between the tread grooves, it is time to replace your bike tyres.
Ride Carefully: A vital maintenance tip and action point for bike owners relates to their riding habit. Rough riding, such as rapid acceleration and deceleration, also wears down the tyre and increases the risk of impact damage to the tyres. So, handle your bike with care and you will automatically get more tyre mileage and fuel efficiency from it.
Timely Tyre Replacement: If one or both of your bike’s tyres are worn out, replace them promptly to avoid any road hazard. Moreover, a worn out front or rear bike tyre can impact the performance of its counterpart by dragging down your motorcycle’s performance.
Some Other Tips: Don’t park your bike under direct sunlight, as it can harden the rubber compound prematurely. While washing your bike, use mild soaps instead of detergents and chemicals that can damage the rubber compounds. Keep special focus on the rear bike tyre, as it tends to wear faster than the front one.
Every bike has its own special use case, but tyre maintenance for all motorcycles can be done by following these steps. If your bike tyres are looking worn, check out the ActiGrip, ActiZip or ActiSteer tyres from Apollo at a tyre shop near you. Apollo Tyres have been making tyres suited for Indian roads since 1972 and remain one of the best bike tyre makers in the country.
