TyreSafe's top tips for motorcycle tyre safety
1. Check your tyre pressures from cold at least once a week using an accurate gauge
2. Inflate tyres to the level recommended in the manufacturer's handbook
3. Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded into the tread pattern and replace if necessary
4. Use dust caps to keep dirt away from the valve core and to act as a secondary air seal
5. If your rims are cracked or bent they should be replaced immediately
6. Check that your tread depth is not below the legal minimum of 1mm (for bikes over 50cc)
7. Replace old or damaged valve stems
8. Select the correct type of tyre for your machine and riding style
9. Check that both tyres fitted to the bike are made by the same manufacturer and have the same tread pattern
10. Make sure that your tyre has been fitted the right way round by checking the directional arrows on the sidewall
11. When replacing tube type tyres always use a new inner tube
12. Make sure your tyre/wheel assembly is balanced correctly
13. Keep oil and grease off your tyres using detergent if necessary
14. If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your bike to an approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.
1. Check your tyre pressures at least once a month or before a long journey.
2. Pressures should be checked against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended level. This can be found in the vehicle handbook and on a plate which is often located inside the fuel filler flap or on the driver’s door sill.
3. Check the pressure when tyres are cold (i.e. when you have travelled less than two miles).
4. If you are carrying a full load of passengers or luggage or will be towing a trailer or caravan, tyre pressures should be increased in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Details can be found in the vehicle handbook.
5. Ensure a reliable and accurate pressure gauge is used.
6. Check the pressure in all four tyres not forgetting to check the spare tyre as well.
7. While checking pressures, give the rest of the tyre a visual inspection. Remove any stones and other objects embedded in the tread. Look out for any bulges, lumps or cuts.
8. If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your vehicle to an approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.
Winter Riding
With winter months fast closing in, there are several aspects of motorcycling you should consider to help keep you safe on your journey. When faced with adverse conditions the first thing to consider is, is your journey essential? If so, do you have alternative transport? If the weather is so bad then sometimes its really not worth making the trip on the bike. If you do take the bike be aware that adverse conditions will undoubtedly require you to pay more attention and you need to be aware of how to adapt your riding. Take at least the first ten minutes of your journey to assess the road conditions and test your brakes.
Wet roads offer less grip than dry roads, mix this with oil and diesel and this creates potentially hazardous riding conditions and compromises the grip of your tyres.
Our road surfaces took a beating in last years floods. Add to that the snow, ice and high levels of rain water we can probably expect this winter will again cause problems and pot holes in the road surface, combine the two and you could end up riding over a pot hole disguised as a puddle! Always be aware that puddles may be deeper than you imagine. If you can and its safe to do so, ride around them. Aquaplaning on two wheels is far more difficult to correct than on four! Avoid poor road surfaces at the roads edges and loose gravel washed onto the roads by surface run off.
White Lines can be extremely useful to bikers to help us read the road and planning our next move. However, the painted surface of white lines becomes very slippery when wet! Try to avoid riding over the white road paint. If it’s safe, ride between “SLOW” the letters on the road and take extra care when filtering, avoiding riding over directional arrows and centre white lines. Manhole covers and tar bands on the can also cause like problems. Position yourself so that the majority of your weight is as close to the front of the bike as possible. This will help keep the bike stable should your bike tyre “slip out”.
Acceleration and Corners can also cause problems. Keep your riding smooth to avoid unsettling your bike, gradual braking and gentle acceleration will help.
See and Be seen! Keep an eye out for pedestrians dashing around trying to avoid the rain and not taking much notice of you! The visibility of all road users is lower in wet weather, the dark and in fog. Slow down if necessary and be able to stop, on your own side of the road, in the distance you can see to be clear. When the light levels are low wear high visibility and or reflective clothing or bands. The Highway Code tells us that wearing this type of clothing; others are 3 times more likely to see us. Wearing the right kit is also important. Keep yourself dry warm and comfortable and take regular breaks. Being wet and cold can affect your reaction times, zap your concentration and be downright miserable.
Bike maintenance is essential. Regularly check your tyres, brakes, lights and fluid levels. Confidence in your bike will also help your riding confidence