Motorcyclists urged to check tyres

Check your rubber…

Motorcycle and scooter riders are being urged to check their tyres to get the best performance from them by TyreSafe, the not for profile tyre safety organisation.

They suggest that tyre pressure, tread and condition should be a constant part of your start-of-the-season checks of fuel, battery charge, oil levels, filter, coolant and brake fluid as well as any general cleaning and maintenance.

“We know that bikers take a lot of pride in their machines, and are keen to make sure they look great and perform well. We’d like to remind motorcyclists that this doesn’t only entail the engines and electronics on their bikes, but their tyres as well,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.

“Because this upward trend in new registrations shows that motorcycles are increasingly popular, it’s not just riders dusting off their bikes for the new season that we’re reminding. It is also those people who are taking it up for the first time ever, or after some time away, who we want to make sure are checking that their machines are in a safe and legal condition.”

They suggest that riders make a ‘P.A.C.T’ with their tyres:

P – Performance – In order to get the best performance from tyres, including handling, braking, acceleration and lower fuel bills weekly tyre checks are important.

A – Air pressure – Riders should check that their tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, which can be found in the manufacturer’s handbook. Under-inflated tyres will wear out quicker, provide less stability and are at greater risk from overheating and suffering a rapid failure.

C – Condition – Look for any cuts, lumps or bulges. The tread area should also be inspected to see if any stones, nails or other objects have become embedded. If the tyre shows any of these signs, it should be checked immediately by a qualified tyre professional.

T – Tread – To ensure proper grip, especially in wet conditions, riders should check that their tyres have sufficient tread depth. Bikes with less than 50cc need to have all of the grooves of the original tread pattern visible whereas those over 50cc must have at least 1mm of tread depth across the central three quarters of the tyre with visible tread on the remaining quarter.