How Often Should I Replace Motorcycle Tires?

How Often Should I Replace Motorcycle Tires?

The tires on your motorcycle are the only link between you and the road. Correct and regular maintenance of tires is essential. But do you know when they need changing? Read on to discover how often you need to replace your motorcycle tires.

Tires vary in durability, composition, and lifespan. These variations mean you should regularly look for signs of wear to realize when they need replacing.

Tire Composition

How Often Should I Replace Motorcycle Tires?

They may look like simple rubber hoops, but motorcycle tires are complex products made from many layers of unique compounds and materials.

These layers give the tire its structure, flexibility, durability, and grip. All are needed for the tire to perform at the highest level. Compromise any one of these factors and may affect the tire’s safety and handling capability.  

Many of Dunlop’s most popular tires feature Multi-Tread technology which extends the tread life of a tire without sacrificing cornering grip. We achieve this by layering a more durable and longer lasting compound on the center of the tire where most riding is done. 

Here’s a quick look at the most common tire problems and the reasons for their replacement-

  • Underinflated or Carrying too much weight: Both issues can lead to the  tread squaring off and cause damage to the sidewalls
  • Overinflated:  Excessive wear to the center of the tire
  • Poor wheel alignment: May lead to irregular wear patterns
  • High mileage: Worn out tread
  • Puncture: Damage to the tread or sidewall

The most visible area of the tire is its tread pattern. Located around the tire’s exterior, the textured design that sits on top of the tire carcass can tell you a lot about how many more miles your tires have left.

Low tread depth may be the number one reason for tire replacement, but let’s see how low you can go. 

While you can use the old-fashioned ‘penny in the groove’ method or even a tread gauge, looking for your motorcycle’s Tire Wear Indicator (TWI) is the best way to get this job done. All reputable consumer DOT motorcycle tire manufacturers include a TWI molded into the tread. 

The TWI is a small nubbin of rubber found inside the tread. When the tread pattern is worn sufficiently low enough to be level with the wear indicator, the tire has reached the minimum tread depth.

Let the tread wear lower than the indicator, and you risk compromising the tire’s safety and failing legal requirements for tire wear. Dunlop’s multi-tread technology extends the lie of a tire without sacrificing cornering grip.

Punctures and Repairs

how to tell when to replace motorcycle tires

Punctures always happen at the most inconvenient times, and if you’re running tubeless tires, you may need to rely on a plug repair to get you home. 

Being able to fix your tire at the side of the road is great, but be aware that this type of repair is a temporary fix. It’s difficult to determine the extent of the damage to the carcass after a puncture. So at the first opportunity, replace the defective tire.

 

How to Check the Age of your Motorcycle Tire

You can find this information as a 4 digit date code located on the sidewall of the tire. The first numbers are the week of the year followed by the last 2 numbers which are the year itself. For an example, 0420 means the 4th week of 2020.

Inspect your Motorcycle Tires

When giving an average mileage for a motorcycle tire, you’re facing an impossible task due to the vast difference in the bike’s weight, performance, and style. External factors could accelerate the wear on your tires such as extreme temperatures, road surfaces, poor maintenance, or even where you park your bike.

With the emergence of hyper-sport, sports tourers, and dual-sport bikes, motorcycle tires have evolved rapidly. They now offer decent mileage and excellent grip.

One size no longer fits all. What’s more, with no such thing as an average tire life, regular inspection of your motorcycle’s tires is essential. A hands-on approach is the way to go to ensure your motorcycle tires stay in great shape and that you replace them at the correct time.

Shop Dunlop to ensure your motorcycle stays rubber-side down.

Are you ready to shop or looking for professional advice? Find a dealer near you today and explore your Dunlop Motorcycle Tires options with a specialist.