when to replace motorcycle tires age
Five years old
The general rule of the thumb when it comes to motorcycle tire age is to change your tires once they’refive years oldfrom the date of manufacture. However,with good maintenance and regular checks at a professional motorcycle shop,they can last a bit longer.
How do I know when to replace my motorcycle tires?
Worn Out or Damaged TyresWear Bars. The easiest way to tell your tires are worn out is by looking for wear bars. …Patterning. Wear bars may not be much help on slicker tires with a tread that does not cross over the center of the tire surface.Damage. …
How much does it cost to change a motorcycle tire?
There are many services that mechanics generally provide, and we will look at all of them. Typically, changing tires on a motorcycle cost anywhere between $20 and 125$. In the carry-in service where you bring in your motorcycle’s wheels, the cost range is $25 to $50.
How to know when to change motorcycle tires?
When To Replace Motorcycle TiresIs your motorcycle tire sidewall cracking? If your motorcycle tire sidewall is cracking it’s time to replace your tire,no matter shape the tire tread is in,or how …Do you have worn motorcycle tires? Of course,the most common reason for a motorcycle tire to need replacing is simply that tire is worn out. …Do you have uneven motorcycle tire wear? …More items…
How to tell if your motorcycle tires are worn.?
Wear indicators are available on nearly every tire meant for consumer use, including motorcycle tires. Sometimes a triangle or the letters TWI will be located on the sidewall. These are used to help you find where the wear indicator is located on the tire’s tread. Once the tire is worn down to the point of being on the same level as the wear …
How to tell if a tire is worn out?
The easiest way to tell your tires are worn out is by looking for wear bars. These are small, raised bumps sitting at the bottom of the tread grooves. If you are having trouble finding the wear bars, have a look on the side-wall of the tire for a △ (triangle) or “ TWI ” molded into the rubber. These are tire wear indicators and by following a direct line from that marking across the tire surface to the other sidewall, you should find wear bars in the tread grooves somewhere along that line.
What does it mean when your bike tires are scalping?
Alternatively, if you live in an area with lots of bends , you may see your front tire wear unevenly on one side more than the other , this is commonly known as “scalping”. While your tires may have ample tread depth, if they begin to wear unevenly you will notice a change in the bike’s handling while riding.
What does the number 0116 mean on a tire?
The last four numbers will indicate the month and year the tire was manufactured. For example, 0116 means the tire came off the production line in January 2016.
How much tread do you have left on a bike tire?
If the tire surface is level with any of the wear bars, you only have about 1/32 inch left of tread and your tires should be replaced. At this point of wear, your bike can be compromised through instability, loss of grip, flat tires, or even blow-outs.
Why do tires have metal cords?
Metal cords are used to hold the carcass and structure of the tire together. As the tire wears, the rubber protecting the metal cords gets thinner and their shape or pattern can start to show through the surface of the tire. In extreme cases, the rubber may wear through completely showing visible metal cords on the surface of the tire or even throwing sparks while riding. Sparks are bad. You definitely need to replace your tire if you start seeing sparks.
Why do tires come with a round surface?
Tires fresh off the production line will come with a perfectly round surface or profile so that when used they have a smooth ride and consistent handling. Over time, the tire profile can wear unevenly depending on your riding style and the roads you most commonly ride.
What is wear bar?
Equally important, in many countries, wear bars are also an indicator that you are legally required to replace your tire (check your local jurisdiction for road safety requirements).
Is it OK to mix tire brands on a motorcycle?
The tire manufacturers say definitely not, but many riders think this is just a tactic to boost sales.
Why do motorcycle tires have rubber?
This is done to help the rear tire wear more slowly and withstand more abuse from acceleration.
Why do racers use tire warmers?
This is part of the reason racers and track day riders use tire warmers. Not only to keep the tire warm and grippy but to reduce the number of heat cycles that the tire will have to endure. This is also why it’s a good idea to try to replace your tires and sets.
What does it mean when a tire starts making weird patterns?
When the rubber starts making these weird patterns, that means the metal chords are just about to wear through. It’s worth noting that a tire does not wear at the same rate throughout its life. As the rubber becomes thinner, the tire wears faster. Like car tires, motorcycle tires have wear bars.
Why does my bike tire lose grip?
Heat increases the rate of oxidization, so if your bike lives in a hot garage, or you live in a hot environment, your tire will lose its grip more rapidly because the heat accelerates the rate of decomposition of the rubber.
What is the most important component of keeping us from landing on our heads?
Tires are one of the most critical components keeping us from landing on our heads. Many factors contribute to a tire being worn out, including the most obvious. This is an extreme example of a tire being flat worn out.
What does 2714 mean on a tire?
If the number is “2714” that means the tire was manufactured in the 27th week of 2014. If the number is “0516” that means the tire was manufactured in the fifth week of 2016.
How to tell if motorcycle tires are worn?
Another sign of wear is cracking. When the rubber is dried out and begins rotting, it will appear as cracks on the surface. This is more common in hot, dry climates and it can be a major safety concern, causing dangerous tire blowouts while you are riding. If you see cracking , you should replace the motorcycle tires as soon as you can.
How to know when to replace motorcycle tires?
To know when to replace the motorcycle tires, simply put a penny head-first into one of the tread grooves on the tire. Provided that the tread covers Abraham Lincoln’s head, it is not too shallow. In the United States, the acceptable tread depth is usually 2/32 of an inch. If you insert the penny and see Lincoln’s head or face, you need to replace the motorcycle tires as soon as possible.
Why is it so hard to generalize tire timelines?
These issues create not only uneven wear but also accelerated wear. Motorcycle maintenance is necessary for extending the life of your tires, which explains why it is hard to generalize tire timelines—each set of circumstances has a different impact.
What is the most visible area of a tire?
The most visible area of the tire is its tread pattern. Located around the exterior of the tire, the textured pattern that sits on top of the tire carcass can tell you a lot about how many miles your tires have left.
What to do if you have a punctured motorcycle tire?
When you have a punctured tire, you should always use a patch or plug-patch to fix it . Cheap plugs do not require you to take the tire off the wheel, and it is important to assess the inside of the tire before you repair a puncture. Black shavings on the inside of the tire indicate that you have had significant low-pressure wear and that you need to replace the motorcycle tire altogether.
Why do bike tires wear out faster?
External factors such as weather patterns and road conditions also play a major role. If you frequently drive on smooth pavement, your tires are going to last longer than if you ride a very coarse road daily. Sport bike tires are made of softer compounds than say a sport touring or cruiser tires, so they will tend to wear out quicker in the same environment.
Why do my tires look angular?
If you notice that your tires have lost their round shape and look more angular, it is probably because they have seen many miles. In this situation, you might try re-inflating the tires to see if you notice any changes. It is possible that the tire pressure is low and causing your tires to appear misshapen.
What happens to tires when they disintegrate?
Rubber—the primary ingredient for tire manufacturing—oxidizes when exposed to the elements. When this happens, the tire begins stiffening from the inside out.
What does the tire identification number tell you?
This tire identification number tells you the week and year that any given tire was produced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandates that all tires include an identification number.
Why do you need to check the tire number?
Checking for the tire identification number to verify the manufacture year ensures that you know exactly what you are buying. Even if the tread looks great, these “new” tires could have been in storage for a long time since they were made. Remember, oxidation impacts the internal structure of the tire first.
How old should a tire be to be replaced?
Any tire that is more than six years old should be replaced regardless of its wear. Younger tires that are showing signs of oxidation or that have low tread depth should also be changed out so that you can stay as safe as possible while on the road.
What happens when you drive a motorcycle with old tires?
As tires age, they undergo a process called oxidation that damages their structural integrity. To prevent this from affecting you and your motorcycle, it is important to learn how to read tire markings …
How old should you replace a motorcycle tire?
If one tire is bald while the other still has tread on it and is six years or younger, just replace the bald tire.
Why are tires so durable?
In general, tires need to be both rigid and malleable. Their ability to adjust to various types of terrain without crumbling is what makes them so durable. Exposure to the air causes the stiffened rubber to crack and disintegrate. This process compromises a tire’s overall functionality and makes it less safe to use.
What does scalloping mean on a tire?
Scalloping is especially common with off-road and dual-sport tires, which are particularly knobby. A small amount of scalloping isn’t a problem. When you start to feel increased vibration on the road, however, it’s time to change the tires. Off-road riders may notice that their tread knobs become rounded on all sides.
Why does my motorcycle tire bulge out?
This indicates severe damage to the tire’s outer surface. As a portion of the tire is weakened, the internal air pressure causes it to bulge outwards. The bubbling portion of the tire can be extremely fragile, so it’s not recommended to drive your motorcycle to the shop.
How to tell if a tire is worn flat?
This is basically an unkind way of saying that the center of your tire has been worn flat, while the edges haven’t seen much action. Keep an eye out for this, as flat spots suggest that a tire is nearing the end of its life . When you can feel the chicken strip while riding – or when it wears your tread below the minimum depth – time is up.
What does 347 mean on a tire?
Tires made before the year 2000 have three-digit born-on dates. So, the number 347 means the tire was made in the 34 th week of 1997, or 1987, or 1977, etc. It’s a bit more confusing, but don’t worry. Any tire made in the 1900s definitely needs to be replaced.
What to do if your bike tires fail a visual test?
If your tires fail any of these visual tests, congratulations! That means you get to buy some new boots for your bike.
What causes a tire to crack?
While these normally appear on a tire’s sidewall – near the rim – it’s worth having a look all over. Crazing is often caused by dry rot, which is especially common for those who can’t ride during the winter. If you live in Canada, that probably means you.
How to find the date on a tire?
Every tire is stamped with a “born-on” date. To find it, look for a three or four digit number at the end of the DOT markings. For post-2000 tires, the date will appear as four numbers. To give an example, consider the code 4812. This number indicates that the tire was made in the 48 th week of 2012. Need another example? Take 0313 – the third week of 2013. Easy, right?
What does the Michelin Man sign on the side of the tire mean?
2. The legal tread wear limit has been reached. A Michelin Man symbol on the upper side of your tires means that they feature a tread wear indicator. Similar to little bumps, these can be found at the bottom of the main grooves.
How to tell if a tire is worn?
Worn tires can ruin your vehicle’s performance and even endanger you or your loved ones. It is recommended that you do a weekly inspection to check: 1 The state of the tires 2 The depth of the treads 3 Any damage due to impacts or any sign of unusual wear.
How to choose tires for a car?
Choose your tires in accordance with legal requirements and the kind of equipment recommended for your vehicle. For optimal performance, use tires with the same tread pattern for the front and back. Tires that have different designs, treads and wear patterns might affect the vehicle’s balance and stability. Never fit a vehicle with one radial tire and one non-radial tire unless specified by the manufacturer.
Why do tires wear out?
It can also occur as a result of incorrect tire pressure.
Why do you need to change your tires?
Six reasons to change your tires. 1. The tire has a puncture. Tires are durable and designed to withstand impacts, but they sometimes puncture. If you get a flat tire, it should be replaced by a professional mechanic. 2.
Why are tires so hard to predict?
3. Tires show signs of aging. It is difficult to predict a tire’s lifespan because it bears no relation to its manufacturing date. Tires that have never been used, or have only been used infrequently, may still show signs of aging.
Do you need to change tires before changing Michelin tires?
Michelin strongly advises you to change your tires before reaching this point. Past this point, there is no guarantee that your tires will keep you safe or deliver grip and performance, particularly on wet surfaces. 3. Tires show signs of aging.
What does it mean when your tires crack?
Cracking along the sidewalls of the tire, also called a dry lot, is one of the indications that your tires need to be replaced. If your tires have a worn out and square profile, you’ll experience lower ride comfort, as the contact patch on the tire edges is small.
What is the date code for motorcycle tires?
All motorcycle tires come with a date code imprinted into the sidewall. This code is a 4-digit number. For example, 1322 stands for the 13th week of 2022. For sports bikes, front tires have a maximum range of 3700 miles, with back wheels at 1800 miles.
How long do motorcycle tires last?
While most motorcycle tires are designed to last up to 5 years, many factors determine how long your tires will last. For instance, road hazards, improper inflation pressure, improper use of tires, overloading, tire chain damage, tire spinning, negligence, misuse, tire alteration, and improper or insufficient maintenance may cause tire damage.
Where are the grooves on motorcycle tires?
Check for one of the tire grooves, normally located off the center of your motorcycle tires, and pick one with a raised segment of rubber. This raised rubber is the manufacturer’s lowest point of tire tread you can have to ensure safety when riding your motorcycle. An old trick to answering the “how old can motorcycle tires be …
Can you use motorcycle tires?
If not, then you can still use your motorcycle tires for some time before you consider buying replacements. Although you may be tempted to judge the usability and safety of your tires by the tread, this is not the only factor to consider and is highly discouraged by industry key players, including biking experts, motorbike mechanics, and even manufacturers.
What happens to tires as they age?
Here’s what happens as tires age. Tires are subject to a process called oxidation, whereby oxygen interacts with compounds in the rubber causing them to harden and eventually become brittle. As the rubber oxidization increases over time, tire performance decreases.
How long does it take for a tire to be fresh?
A one-year-old tire is considered very, very fresh. In fact, most tire companies put the "sell by" date somewhere out around five years from the date of manufacture. So unless you don’t expect to wear the tire out within five years from the date that’s stamped on the sidewall, don’t sweat it.
How old should a tire be to replace it?
Again, most tire manufacturers advise replacing a tire after it’s around five years old. You might not be able to tell the age by glancing at it, but if you notice cracks along the carcass of the tire, it needs to be replaced immediately. Too bad the ole sniff test doesn’t work here as it does with that carton of milk.
Do tires have a use by date?
Tires don’t have a “use by” date stamped on them like perishable foodstuffs because there are a lot of variables that determine the rate at which a tire degrades. However, tires do have a four-digit number stamped on the sidewalls indicating the week and year they were manufactured.
Where to find the date code on a Dunlop Q3?
Look for the date code in an oval stamp on your tire’s sidewall. The numbers represent the week and year of manufacture. Minted in the 13th week of 2017, this Dunlop Q3+ is as fresh as they come. Photo: Julia LaPalme
Do motorcycle tires expire?
Motorcycle tires wear out from use, but they can also expire from age. Keeping tabs on the age of your tires is important, but if you think your tires need to be as fresh as the contents of your fridge, we’d like to disabuse you of that myth.
Is there milk in motorcycle tires?
While it’s good to be cautious when it comes to the condition of your motorcycle tires, let’s be clear: Tires aren’t milk, and it seems some consumers are obsessed with only buying tires that have a very recent date code.
How to read date code on motorcycle tires?
To read the date code on motorcycle tires, you must find the 4-digit part of the DOT code on the sidewall of a tire. The first pair of numbers means the week, and the second pair means the year. source: pitstoparabia.com.
What is the DOT code for tires?
So, if you are wanting to determine the age of a tire with the code 3507 , you should read its manufacture date as the 35 th week of 2007.
How long do motorcycle tires last?
Motorcycle tires usually last for 5 to 10 years, but the golden age, according to most manufacturers, ends at the 6 th year of a tire’s frequent usage. The aging process depends on the environment and usage conditions, type of rubber, purpose of the tire, etc.
Why do tire manufacturers put hazard information in their manuals?
After that, manufacturers started to put the hazard information in their manuals, encouraging people to check the date code.
Do you have to put a tire code on both sides?
For consumers’ convenience and attention, the code is now required to be put on both sides of a tire. This new rule touches on all other parts of the whole tire code, including the sizing of the tire, its load index, speed rate, etc.
What is a tire warranty?
Most tire manufacturers warranty policies cover eligible tires that become unusable for any reason within the manufacturer’s control, such tire will be replaced with an equivalent new tire on the basis set forth in their Limited Warranty policy.
How long do tires last?
Now, how long do tires last? As with beer, a tire’s shelf life differs greatly depending on how it is stored. Left out in the sun and the elements, a beer might last a week and a tire is lucky to last a year without showing signs it is in need of replacement. On a pantry or warehouse shelf subject to temperature changes, a beer is good for several months and a tire for several years. Now, a beer stored in a refrigerator can stay fresh for years. Similarly, a tire stored in climate-controlled warehouse can stay fresh for up to 6 years.
How long is the warranty on Michelin tires?
All Michelin tires come with a limited warranty which covers defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the usable tread or 6 years from purchase date, whichever comes first. ** Note: Hold onto your receipt! If your tire born on date is 2 years old… and you misplace your receipt your warranty will revert back to the date code on the tire, not purchase date.
What is the date code for a tire?
The tire’s born-on-date, commonly known as a Date Code, is a standardized 4 digit number indicating the Week of and the Year of tire manufacture. In the case of the Shinko tire in this video, the tire was manufactured on Week 38 of 2016. This standardization was created and set into effect in the year 2000.
How many letters are in a tire number?
Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) require that tire Identification Numbers be a combination of the letters DOT followed by eight to thirteen letters and or numbers which identify manufacturer location, tire size, manufacturer’s code along with Week and Year the tire was produced.
How long do motorcycle tires last?
Motorcycle tires are covered for the life of the tire, 4 years from the manufacturer Date Code or until the tread depth reaches 1/32".
What are road hazards?
Road hazards, Improper use or operation, including, without limitation: Improper inflation pressure, overloading, tire/wheel spinning, use of an improper wheel, tire chain damage, misuse, misapplication, negligence, tire alteration, or use for racing or competition purposes, insufficient or improper maintenance are not considered manufacturer defects are not able to be covered by the manufacturer warranty.
