Although the National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is over, we at All About Bikes wanted to remind you to check the tires on your bike -- a five minute inspection could end up saving your life. Those two wheels are the only things that are keeping you from skidding across the pavement at high speeds (not that you ever go above the posted speed limits, right?). Here's a list of common tire-related problems to keep an eye out for:
- Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires can cause problems like uneven wear and loss of stability while riding. Over-inflated tires, on the other hand, limits the traction (although slightly over-inflated tires can help grip slick roads better) and affects the way they wear out. When's the last time you checked your tire pressure?
- Foreign Objects. It's way better to find a screw or nail in your tire when your bike's in the garage than it is to find it as you're driving down the highway. Although tubeless tires are less likely to pop than their tubed counterparts, it's still important to regularly check your tires for foreign objects. It only takes a few seconds!
- Missing Valve Stem Caps. Do both tires have their valve stem caps? If not, get them replaced ASAP. Otherwise, the stem could start leaking air as you reach high speeds. If your tires have tubes, make sure the valve stems stick straight out of the tires. Slanted valve stems usually indicate that your tires are under-inflated (see #1) and the tube has moved around the rim. This can damage the tube and cause an air leak.
- Worn/Torn Tread. Punctures in the sidewalls, cracking and cord separation are clear signs that you need new tires. Having treadless tires is a recipe for disaster (unless you like hydroplaning on wet roads, of course).
