Fall Tire Tips

As Seen in Midwest Motorcyclist Magazine

 

 

All about tires


It's hard to believe that autumn is just around the corner, bringing with it changes in temperature and weather conditions. These, in turn, can lead to changes in tire pressure and road conditions. Here are a few tire-related things to keep in mind as the riding season winds down for another year. 


Pressure


As I said in the spring, tire pressure is especially important for motorcycles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you should check your tire pressure at least once a week, if not before each ride. Check your tires cold, before you have ridden more than a few miles, and be sure to use an accurate tire gauge. Because autumn can bring so much temperature variation, I echo NHTSA's suggestion that you learn how to adjust your tire pressure to optimize your ride by familiarizing yourself with your owner's manual. Proper tire pressure can help avoid wobbling, excessive or uneven wear, and can improve cornering and fuel efficiency. 


Dunlop, a leading manufacturer of motorcycle tires, recommends that if your tires are losing pressure, you bring them in to be inspected by a qualified tire expert who can demount them to check for leaks inside and out.


Damage


Tire damage can include anything from dry rot to cracks, cuts, and punctures. Check your tires regularly, especially if you noticed debris on the road while you are riding. Sometimes, just looking for damage can save you the danger and the hassle of having a tire failure. If you think you hit something while riding and there is a possibility of damage, take your bike to a qualified tire expert to have them inspected completely.


Where and how you store your bike can affect the lifespan of your tires and reduce dry rot and tire degradation. Motorcycle.com recommends avoiding exposure to oil, gasoline and ozone, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, as all of these can cause the tire materials to break down. If you need to clean your tires, most experts recommend a  mild soap and water solution; anything stronger can degrade the rubber in your tires, possibly causing more harm than good. 


In some cases, punctures can be repaired using tire plugs. Plugs should be properly installed from the tire’s inside by a licensed tire expert. Dunlop recommends the use of plugs only for tread punctures, and states on their website that sidewall punctures should never be plugged. According to Master Strategy Group (MSG), who provide motorcycle safety and maintenance information on their website, a tire can still be safely ridden with up to two internally installed plugs, as long as each plug is in a different wheel quadrant. MSG recommends that you reduce your speed when driving on plugged tires, and notes that plugs will likely void your tire manufacturer's speed warranty. Having the tires plugged instead of replacing them can be a time- and cost-effective solution when you end up with a puncture. 

 

Emergency repairs


You  never know what's going to happen when you're out for a ride, but you can always try to be prepared for emergency tire repairs. You can assemble a repair kit yourself, or there are many pre-assembled kits available relatively inexpensively. Most kits are similar, containing a few core items such as:

• tire plugs

• rasp

• retractable razor blade

• Allen wrench

• instructions

• air pump or small CO2 canisters


Remember, if you make emergency tire repairs on the roadside, you shouldn't ride on your tires any more than necessary. Once the bike is functional and safe to ride, get it to the nearest repair shop to have the plugs properly installed or to replace the tire if needed. Emergency roadside repair is for "quick fixes" only. 


Don't ignore your tires


Remember, your tires are the key to keeping traction on the road, so keeping them well-maintained and properly inflated is a key to a safe and enjoyable riding. With summer drawing to a close, keeping a close eye on your tire pressure and compensating for pressure lost due to temperature changes will help you get the most out of your ride. If you're getting your bike ready for winter, have your tires inspected and make sure to store them in a dry, clean space so they will be ready to ride next spring.  I do not recommend cancelling your insurance for the winter.  There is a big misconception that during this time, your homeowner’s insurance will cover your bike.  It will not!  For insurance recommendations while storing you motorcycle for the winter, read an article I previously wrote at www.motorcyclelawyermichigan.com/80.html

 

 

 

 

 
 

Attorney Jason A. Waechter is a national attorney specializing in the areas of motorcycle and motor vehicle injury litigation. Mr. Waechter has collected millions of dollars in settlements, awards and verdicts for his motorcycle clients over the past 20 years.  Jason feels a duty to give back to his community. A portion of each case settled goes to educational resources for bikers, funds to help bikers while their cases are being litigated and our motorcycle accident prevention campaign.  Call Attorney Jason Waechter toll free at 1-877-BIKER LAW. Or visit www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com

 

 

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