Legal Tread on Motorbike Tyres

It is recommended to check the general condition of your motorcycle tires every week and check the tire pressure every two weeks. Most of the time, you can tell by looking at your tires that they are a little broken. However, if you`re not sure, more sophisticated measurement tools are at your disposal. Driving with tires with a smaller tread depth also makes you more vulnerable to punctures, uncomfortable loose nails, and other tire damage because they`re thin. Tread wear indicators on the tires themselves should give you a good indication of the condition of the tire. If the tire is flush with these, it is below the legal limit and must be replaced. If you notice uneven wear on your tires, report it to your mechanic. It is worth mentioning that tires must be used within five years of their date of manufacture. The break-in time allows the tire to settle on the rim, serves as “abrasion” of the tread and allows the rider to adapt to the feel and handling of the new tires.

After installation, make sure that the tread is not contaminated in any way. Clean the appropriate lubricant, polish the tread circumference with a dry cloth and make sure the label is removed. Whenever new tires are fitted, the motorcycle must be driven carefully and the tires must not be exposed to maximum power or speed for the first 100 miles. Avoid sudden acceleration, maximum braking or sharp corners and special care should be taken on wet or greasy roads. After 100 miles, tires should be checked to ensure proper fit and pressure. Ideally, tires wear fairly evenly over their entire surface. Keeping your motorcycle tires in good condition is not only a safety requirement, but also a legal requirement. For motorcycles over 50 cc, the permitted tread depth shall be at least 1 mm over the entire circumference of the tyre and on the centre of three quarters of the width of the tyre tread.

For motorcycles up to 50 cc, the law stipulates that all grooves of the original tread must be clearly visible. Many people don`t know that motorcycle tires don`t last as long as car tires. For tires with 5 years of use, manufacturers usually require an annual inspection by a professional. For a tire that is 10 years old, even if the tread looks good, manufacturers say the tire is at the end of its useful life and should be replaced. Below 50cc, all grooves of the original tread should be visible – if the grooves have worn smoothly, your tire should be changed. Fortunately, as motorcyclists, we are more aware of the condition of our vehicles than motorists and pay more attention to things like tire wear, as this significantly affects the handling of the bike. Thus, the chances of getting caught with bald tires on your motorcycle are slim or zero if you pay the least attention to them from time to time. Here in the UK, the legal requirement for motorcycle tyres is that there is at least 1mm of tread above the central 3/4 of the tyre.

Different types of tires are suitable for different bikes, different terrains and different weather conditions. What they all have in common, however, is the owner`s obligation to keep the tread depth of the tire within legal limits. Once your tire reaches this limit, it needs to be replaced. However, it is advisable to replace tires before they reach their legal limit, as their ability to provide traction will be severely affected. Here in the UK, the legal requirement is that the tread depth is no less than 1.0mm around the mid-three-quarter circumference of the tyre. Once the tire remains under a certain tread surface, it is dangerous (and illegal) to drive. The tread depth is then indicated in mm on a digital or analog display. If you have enough tread on your tires, you`ll stay safe and on the right side of the law.

Tread depth is a vertical measurement from the top of the rubber of a tire`s tread to the bottom of its deepest grooves. What are the best motorcycle tires? We`ve put together an overview of the best motorcycle tires for each major category to help you find the best tire for your riding style. Indeed, we rarely bend up to our knees in our curves and the edge steps are in direct contact with the road. While we all like to get our money`s worth, it`s worth noting that you should try to replace your tires before they reach the 1mm limit. In most cases, a tire won`t perform as well if the tread depth drops below 2mm, and aside from direct grip, it won`t be as comfortable if the tread pattern is worn and the tire is square. Your tires are one of the most important parts of your bike and you need to make sure they are safe and legal every time you hit the road. Some manufacturers include tread depth indicators in their design. Motorcyclists are strongly advised to be aware of the visual condition of their tires, such as tread depth, rubber cracks in the tread or sidewalls, cuts or bulges, foreign objects, as well as changes in dynamic performance or behavior such as air loss, noise or vibration.

Driving on potholes, curbs and speed thresholds, even at low speeds, can lead to tire structure weakening or breakage. Drivers who experience impact during operation must ensure immediate inspection by a tyre professional. Knots and dents may indicate internal damage and should be inspected immediately by a tire specialist. The fine for driving with illegal tyres is quite high: you can get 3 points and a £2,500 fine for each illegal tyre. As the rubber-based materials of tires age, the properties change. Other factors can also determine how the condition of a tire changes over time, such as temperatures, tire pressure, and storage conditions. Many drivers change their tires after 5 years, regardless of their condition. If your tires are in good condition after 5 years, it is advisable to have them checked annually by a professional if you want to keep them. Regardless of the condition, never drive with tires older than 10 years.

Driving, which most commuters and occasional drivers do, means that steps closer to the tire wall wear out more slowly than those in the middle. Making sure your tires have the right tread surface is not only an important legal requirement, but can also significantly affect the handling of your bike and make your bike safer every ride. The tread of a tire refers to the rubber on its circumference that is in contact with the road or ground. The “tread” is the rubber that sits above the grooves on the surface of the tire. The difference in height between the bottom of the groove and the top of the tread is called tread depth. When tires are used, the tread begins to wear out, limiting its traction efficiency. When the tread is completely worn, it is called a bald tire. From motorcycle tire pressure and retraction to tread depth, inspection and maintenance, take a look at TyreSafe`s top tips for motorcycle and scooter tire safety. There are two methods to check the tread depth of your motorcycle tires: Remember: the lowest depth you find is the exact indicator of how long your tires will last. Many motorcycle tires have wear indicators that are molded into the rubber grooves of the tread. Look for one of the grooves on tires with a raised rubber segment. These groves are usually located outside the center of the tire.

This raised segment indicates the manufacturer`s lowest tread to stay safe. Most manufacturers will take the position that you should replace your tires before reaching this mark. 2. Check for tire defects. The first tire has a tread, but cracks along the sidewalls (commonly known as dry rot) are a clear sign that the tire needs to be replaced. Tire number two has a worn square tread. This tire won`t feel good when leaning against the bike in a curve. This contact area at the “corner” of this tire will be very small.

Another type of uneven wear is tire number three. The bike had a good shock absorber and a faulty shock absorber. You can see what effect the bad shock absorber had on that bad tire. These 3 tires have been replaced. Tire treads are designed to provide good grip on wet surfaces, but the road surface also plays an important role in the tires` grip on the road. In general, wet grip decreases as the tire tread wears out and the depth of surface water increases. Drivers should take this into account and reduce speed in wet conditions. Motorcycle tires usually have tread wear indicators in the tread grooves and if these are discussed, you should consider replacing them. As soon as the turn signals are at the same height as the tread, the tire must be replaced. The legal tread depth limit in the UK for motorcycles over 50cc is 1mm on 3/4 of the tread width and with tread visible on the remaining 1/4. For motorcycles up to 50cc, the law states that all grooves of the original tread must be clearly visible.

What is the legal limit for motorcycle tyres? The motorcycle over 50cc requires a tread depth of at least 1mm over the entire circumference of the tire and three-quarters of the center. If your motorcycle is less than 50cc in size, all grooves of the original tread must be visible. The right air pressure is crucial for safe handling of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds. The recommended pressure for the original tires is specified in the motorcycle owner`s manual. For the installation of alternatives in the aftermarket, the tire specialist or tire manufacturer should seek advice. For tyres fitted to conventional and vintage motorcycles (before 1960) for which the pressures specified in the original manual may be inappropriate, a specific instruction from the tyre manufacturer is recommended.