Surprisingly, motorcycle tires are often the most neglected aspect of any bike. After all, you can't get them in chrome! All kidding aside, the tires on your bike are the key to maximum performance, and most importantly your safety. In this segment of Corbin's Ride On, we hope to provide some basic information about tires for your bike, including what types of tires to purchase and how to maintain them.

First of all, it is important to understand that motorcycle tires are different from car tires, and consequently require that you pay close attention to their condition. The difference in construction is the result of how both vehicles turn. While a car turns on a flat axis, a motorcycle "leans" as it makes the turn. That is why motorcycle tires must be "mushroom-capped" so that the tread will continue to make contact with the road as the bike leans into a curve. Now, let's talk about what to look for in terms of tire maintenance.

Determining the condition of the tires on your bike is fairly simple! Just look at them! You can easily check for any damage to the tire or rim with a quick visual inspection. All street motorcycle tires have "wear bar" indicators that will appear when the tread has worn past the point of safe riding (anything less than 1/16 th of an inch). Consequently, if these bars appear on your tires, then it is time to purchase replacements. Finally, check your tire pressure. While this step may seem natural to some riders, you'd be surprised just how many folks don't check the pressure in their tires before they go for a ride. Chris Reo, Chief Instructor at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, estimates that 80% of all riders do not regularly check the air pressure in their tires. It is also important to keep the proper pressure in your tires so that "cupping" won't occur. That is where the tire has uneven wear when the bike runs on under-inflated tires. So, always having a tire gauge on-hand, and knowing the load limits and recommend tire pressure for your bike are essential for maximum performance and safety.

Next, let's talk about other enemies to your tires. Obviously there are many road hazards such as nails and screws, but there is also a less recognized threat: dry rot. Dry rot occurs when your bike hasn't been ridden for a long period of time. So, keep your bike moving through the winter, even if it just a short trip here or there. Also, storing your bike away from electrical appliances (that produce ozone), and avoiding silicon-based tire dressings can also help. If you want to clean your tires, good old soap and water are the best to use. Now, let's get back to the obvious. Let's say that you pick up a nail. Should you have your tire patched or plugged? Well, the experts pretty much agree that the answer is NO! Purchase a new tire..you'll be miles ahead in the long run.

Okay, so you need to purchase a replacement tire.what size you should get? Without question, stock motorcycles need to stick to OEM recommended tires. You can find the tire size on the side of the tire itself, or you can look in your owner's manual. As far as replacement tires for custom bikes, just make sure that they will fit safely within the fenders, and remember that new tires actually "grow" after being inflated and run for a few hundred miles. Other tips for tire replacement is that you should never mix bias and radial ply tires, and remember, the tread patterns on motorcycle tires are directional and they won't wear or grip the road properly if installed backward.

So, let's have a quick run-through: before riding, check your tires for damage and proper air pressure. When cleaning, stay away from silicon-based dressings. Replace tires that are damaged or badly worn, and always use exact replacements of the OEM tires for your bike! Keeping those thoughts in mind can save your tires and it may save you!

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