Motorbikes are common on almost all Indian roads. Among the most essential parts of bikes are the tyres, a link between the rider and the road. The choice of bike tyres and how you maintain them would have a direct impact on the performance and safety of the two-wheeler on the road. Not only should you prioritise buying the best tyres for your bike, but you also need to take a few measures to keep the tyres.
Tyres are prone to suffering a lot of wear and tear. With time and constant use, they may develop cracks and have significant external damage. Faulty and worn-out tyres would not only hamper your bike’s performance but can also cause accidents and mishaps. You cannot afford to leave the tyres of your bike unattended as riding them can be life threatening. Therefore, you must follow a few two-wheeler tyre maintenance measures and increase the life expectancy of the tyres.
Maintain the Right Tyre Pressure
Low tyre pressure is one of the key indicators that everything is not right with your tyres. In case you experience a somewhat soft, cushiony, and “sponge-like” feel, while riding your bike at low speeds, there is a good chance that the pressure in your bike tyres is low. As the pressure begins to lessen, the tyre starts to flatten. Riding on a bike having tyres with low pressure can be risky as they are likely to puncture and may even lead to accidents. Therefore, you need to go through the user manual of your bike to identify the perfect pressure for its tyres and try to maintain it consistently.
Recommended tyre pressure differs from one bike to another. Less than the recommended tyre pressure may deflate the tyre, wearing out its sides. However, too much tyre pressure can also be harmful. You need to stick to the optimal pressure for the tyres mentioned in your bike manual to ensure your bike delivers consistent performance on the road.
Regularly Clean the Tyres of Your Bike
It is not uncommon to find two-wheelers skidding on the roads during the monsoon. This happens as muddy tyres tend to skid faster. Losing control of your bike can land you in a serious mishap. To prevent such an eventuality, you must be proactive about cleaning your two-wheeler tyres. Regular tyre cleaning is particularly crucial for riders who undertake long journeys or frequent muddy terrains.
Leaving the tyres dirty for a prolonged period can impact their quality. This dirt racks up on the surface of the tyres and affects its grip, due to which the bike may skid on the road. Regularly washing and cleaning the bike tyres considerably lowers the odds of tyre damage and bike accidents, especially in the monsoons when you may have to ride on swampy and muddy roads. When cleaning the bike tyres, it is important to use clean water and a regular cleanser/detergent instead of any harsh chemicals that may harm the tyres.
Avoid Sudden Braking
Experienced motorcyclists always avoid applying break suddenly. They try to apply the brakes gently to bring the bike to a gradual halt. Sudden braking might be a bit risky as it can lift the rear tyre and even topple the bike over. Moreover, the wheels of the bike can also lock up and skid, resulting in an accident. Frequent sudden braking can considerably lower the lifespan of your bike tyres.
Ensure Timely Repairs and Replacements
As a responsible motorbike owner, you must never neglect any issues with your bike and its components, including the tyres. Bike tyres can be highly susceptible to blowouts, leakages and punctures. If such issues arise, your first step should be to get the tyres fixed in a garage at once. If the damage to the bike tyres is too much or too frequent, it would be better to search for the best tyre for bike and get the old, worn-out ones replaced. Regular wear and tear borne by the tyres of motorbikes often cause the tyres to lose their grip. Therefore, they need to be replaced in a timely manner.
Ensure Tyre Alignment
If you frequently ride roads with too many potholes, tarmac, and speed bumps, you may end up messing with the alignment of your bike tyres. If your bike tyres or rims are not aligned, they may have a negative influence on the suspension of your bike. Therefore, you need to check whether your bike tyres are aligned parallel to one another and perpendicular to the ground from time to time.
To ensure road safety and extend the life of two-wheeler tyres, motorbike owners must make dedicated efforts. Taking the steps discussed above would significantly help in adding a few more years to the life of your bike tyre.
