Motorcycle Tire Buying Guide
Do you ever stop to think that when you ride a motorcycle, the only thing between you and the pavement is a thin layer of rubber surrounding a cloud of pressurized air? This probably isn’t how most riders think about it, but it’s helpful to understand that motorcycle tires are an impressive feat of modern engineering. Therefore, you want to be sure you have the right set of wheels on your bike. The team at Harley-Davidson® of Fort Wayne is here to help. Read our motorcycle tire buying guide, then stop in and see us in Fort Wayne, IN.
Understanding Tire Parts
Let’s discuss the anatomy of a tire before digging in a bit deeper. Generally speaking, tires are described by four different parts, including the sidewall, tread, bead, and radial. All of these components work together to keep your motorcycle rolling on the pavement.
As you might’ve guessed, the sidewall is the wall on the side of the tire. When it’s properly inflated, the sidewall can gain enough rigidity to support the full weight of a bike, the rider, and any cargo. The tread is the strip of rubber that comes in contact with the ground. Tread varies in shape and is designed to deliver a specific set of benefits such as increased durability or superior traction.
The bead refers to a ring of metal and rubber that secures the tire to the rim. Additionally, the bead creates a seal to keep the air inside the tire. Lastly, the radial refers to steel wires that run through the tire’s rubber to offer better rigidity and strength.
Different Tires for Different Motorcycles
When you start shopping around, you’ll see there are numerous motorcycle tires to choose from. After all, they’re available in many shapes and sizes. The main differences often relate to the type of riding the tires are made for as well as the design of the bike.
For instance, dirt bike tires have a knobby design as this helps the tire dig into the dirt, gravel, or mud while maintaining traction. Tires that are made for touring bikes have a more mild tread design that can wick water away from the tread. These motorcycle tires are usually made from a harder rubber material to deliver superior durability.
When to Replace Them
Another important aspect of motorcycle tires is knowing when to replace them. If you’re not aware, these tires have a much shorter lifespan than standard car tires. In some cases, car tires can last for several years before you need to replace them.
On the other hand, motorcycle tires are only meant to last for approximately 10,000 to 15,000 miles. That’s about one year of daily commuting depending on your riding habits. There’s no guarantee you’ll make it to 10,000 miles, though.
You should perform routine maintenance, which includes inspecting the tires. Look for foreign objects that may be stuck in tread, bumps or cracks along the sidewall, or bald patches. Check the air pressure regularly so you can observe any patterns that may indicate there’s a tire issue that needs to be addressed.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our motorcycle tire buying guide. If you’d like to check out our inventory, visit us at Harley-Davidson® of Fort Wayne. We offer plenty of motorcycles for sale as well as parts, accessories, and more. We proudly serve those in Auburn and Kendallville, IN.