Tired tyres show signs of being worn out

Two small patches of rubber are all that keep your motorbike holding the road so you want to make sure they are in tip-top condition.

Tyres get tired but what are the warning signs that they’re becoming worn out?

As well as checking the tyre pressure regularly, you should also be looking at tread depth. Tyres usually have tread wear indicators in the grooves to show the minimum depth allowed.

And look for cracking of the tread or sidewall rubber, cuts or bulges and foreign objects. You should also be aware of any changes to the bike such as noise or vibration.

Motorbikes over 50cc must, by law, have a minimum 1mm of tread depth across three-quarters of the width of the tread pattern and with visible tread on the remaining quarter. For those up to 50cc, all grooves of the original tread pattern must be clearly visible.

We supply and fit tyres and can advise you on suitable choices for your bike and riding needs.

David Forster, general manager, said: “We always ask people about their bike and style of riding in order to find a tyre that suits their needs, such as a more sporty or touring bias.”

While tread depth and damage are easy to see, riders should also be looking at the shape of their tyres.

“Tyres lose their shape when they wear. If you look over the crown of the tyre, back tyres become flat across the middle of the tread while front tyres get shaped like a 50p piece because of the camber of the road.”

That can make a huge difference and affect the way a bike leans into a corner.

“Motorbikes ride so much better when the tyres are in good condition,” he said.

“Shimmying over white lines is often caused by tyres going out of shape. That is often the first indication of a tyre being worn and coming to the end of its life.

“The more aggressive your riding style, the quicker you wear tyres, especially the rear one. Softer, sportier tyres also wear quicker.”

For advice about tyres and to order them for fitting, call 01473 257401 or email spares@orwell.co.uk