When exactly should one decide to replace the tyre?
A tyre is one of the most vital parts of a bike or any vehicle for that matter.
A well-maintained tyre ensures longevity, great performance and a good ride quality.
Besides performance, they also play a huge role in ensuring the rider is not at risk. But like all engine and rubber parts that are prone to wear and tear, the tyre too is no exception.
We give you five signs that one should look out for to know if the replacement is due:
1. Wear
Wear is the most common sign that hints that your tyre should no longer be in use.
For this, the tyre manufacturers put a Tyre Wear Indicator (TWI) mark on the sidewall of the tyre.
This sign comes with a triangular arrow that indicates the level of wear after which a tyre should not be used further.
If the curved surface of the tyre wears out up to the TWI mark, then it is time for you to change it.
2. Uneven tread wear
Many times, a tyre may not get worn out completely but that doesn't mean that it requires no attention.
The shape of a tyre matters a lot in determining whether it would be suitable for use in future or not.
The most common form of uneven wear is the squarish wear of the tyre in which the tyre gets worn out from the centre portion of the tread.
3. Cupping or scalping of the front tyre
Another common uneven wear is the cupping or scalping of the front tyre.
In this condition, the tyre gets worn out along the length of the tread. This can be dangerous as it may lead to handling and stability issues.
Scalping also depends a lot on a poor suspension set up. Next time you see your motorcycle tyre getting scalped from the sides, invest in a new tyre besides getting your suspension properly checked and serviced.
4. Too many punctures or cuts
If you have too many punctures or cuts in your tyre, it needs to be changed on priority as the damages can make it unfit for future use.
Riding with a tyre that has a lot of cuts could lead to creating an uneven contact patchiness that will hamper your ride quality and the performance of your vehicle.
5. Age of the tyre
Even if your tyre is not worn out and it doesn't have cuts, there exists another factor that determines its usability for future and that is its age.
Most tyre manufacturers recommend that the tyre should not be used after five years.
The reason behind this is that the oils in the rubber evaporate over time causing the rubber to harden up.
To find out the date of manufacturing of your motorcycle's tyre, look out for a four digit number on it.
The first two digits represent the week number and the last two will reveal the year of its manufacturing.
If you want to keep the tyres in good condition and desire to make them last longer, maintain proper tyre pressure and check it regularly.
The life of your tyre also depends on your braking habits.
Ride safe!
