TIRE TIPS YOU DIDN’T KNOW!, by 32 SIX on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park the bike on level ground and let the tyres cool. Cold rubber gives the truest reading of wear and pressure.
Find the small wear bars inside the tread grooves. These raised bars show the minimum safe tread depth.
Check the tread against the wear bars at several points around the tyre. If the tread sits level with a bar, even on one side, replace the tyre.
Run your light along both sidewalls and the tread. Look for small cracks in the rubber, which are a sign of dry rot.
Feel the tread profile with your hand. A flattened band down the centre means a flat spot from too much straight-line riding.
Find the four-digit date code on the sidewall. The first two digits are the week and the last two are the year, so 2923 means week 29 of 2023.
Check the rubber for a bluish or faded tint and press it with your thumb. Stiff, discoloured rubber is losing grip.
Check both tyres with a gauge while cold and top up to the pressure in your owner's manual. Replace any tyre that fails the wear, crack or age checks.
Tips and common mistakes
Replace a tyre that is over five years old even if the tread looks fine, because rubber hardens with age.
Check the tyres before every long ride, since cracks and flat spots get worse quickly at speed.
Do not judge wear by the centre alone, as shoulders can wear flat from cornering and still look fine in the middle.
Questions
How do I read the date code on a motorcycle tyre?
Look for a four-digit number stamped into the sidewall. The first two digits are the week of manufacture and the last two are the year, so 2923 means the 29th week of 2023.
Can I ride on a tyre with sidewall cracks?
No. Cracks mean the rubber is drying out and losing grip, especially in corners. Replace the tyre before riding again.
How often should I check my tyres?
Check tread, cracks and pressure at least once a week and before any long ride. A quick look takes a couple of minutes.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
