Enjoy a safer journey by checking tyres ahead of biking trips
With the world’s most talented riders gearing up for the start of the racing season, British bikers heading off to attend race events or enjoy the first ride of the spring are encouraged to check their tyres before taking to the roads. Nearly 30,000 bikers make the journey to the Isle of Man TT each year, with the British Superbikes, World Superbikes and Moto GP also drawing impressive crowds. As the British Superbike series roars into life at Brands Hatch on 10th April, leading safety organisation TyreSafe is reminding the country’s biking enthusiasts that riding on correctly inflated tyres with sufficient tread depth is fundamental to their safety and will also help to ensure optimum handling. “When preparing their bikes for action after the winter period, bikers should make sure they take the time to conduct a thorough inspection of their tyres before setting off,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “Throughout April TyreSafe is holding Bike Tyre Safety Month, with many garages and tyre dealers around the country offering free tyre checks to bikers.”
Bikers are advised to make sure their tyres are inflated to the level recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook, adjusting the pressure level to account for any pillion or panier loads. The condition of the bike’s tyres should also be checked to make sure there are no tears, cracks or bulges, and any oil or grease should be removed with detergent. Riders must ensure their tread depth is not below the UK’s legal minimum of 1mm around three quarters of the tyre, with visible tread on the remaining quarter. When running in new tyres, riders should not subject the bike to maximum speed or power for the first hundred miles, particularly on wet roads. It is also important to check that the bike’s wheels are correctly aligned in order to ensure smooth handling.
Under-inflated tyres heat up more quickly than correctly inflated tyres, and in extreme cases can lead to tyre failure, putting riders at high risk of an accident. Keeping tyres inflated to the recommended tyre pressure level for the bike helps to ensure optimum handling, a more even wear rate and helps keep fuel costs down, as under-inflated tyres tend to increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Riding on tyres with sufficient tread depth is critical for braking effectively in the wet. Tyres with low tread lose the ability to expel surface water from the tyre, which can eventually cause the bike to aquaplane.
For further information on Bike Tyre Safety Month or motorcycle tyre safety, please visit tyresafe.org or visit your local tyre dealer.
