Don’t be under pressure this summer

Avon Tyres is advising bikers across the UK to check their tyre pressures ahead of this Bank Holiday weekend, which traditionally heralds the start of the motorcycling summer.

The British-based tyre specialists know how important running the correct pressures is to the safety and stability of a bike, thanks to a century of motorcycle tyre experience.

Peter McNally, Avon Tyres’ Technical Product Manager for Motorcycle tyres says: “Tyre pressures on a motorcycle are critical to the safety of the rider aboard it – there’s no other way of putting it. The tyre’s connection with the road has to be perfect and if the tyre is under inflated after a winter’s lay-off, the bike will not handle properly and it could be dangerous.

“During testing for our range of tyres – including our new VP2 Sports tyres – we have seen how under-pressure tyres can degrade handling, affect steering, as well as leading to increased and un-even tyre wear.”

McNally says the tyre pressure check should be the first thing on the agenda for any rider who’s contemplating getting back on to two wheels this weekend, and offered his top tips for bikers wheeling out their machines for summer.

Make sure you use an accurate tyre pressure gauge – the ones found on the forecourt of your local service station could easily be out by several psi

Know what the optimum tyre pressures are, front and rear, for your bike and tyres fitted; keep a note of them in your wallet or under the seat

Checking your tyre pressures should be at least a weekly ritual, more often if you commute to work on your motorcycle

If you get into the habit, you’ll spot other safety concerns, such as when your chain needs adjusting or when your tyres are coming to the end of their life

Avon Tyres is a Cooper Tire & Rubber Company brand, and has been designing and manufacturing tyres for many different motorcycles and specifications since 1885 and manufactured their first motorcycle tyre in 1911.

For more information, visit avonmotorcycles.com