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Contents Under Pressure
by Jeremy Graeff, parts and accessory specialist

If you aren’t technically minded, maintenance topics don’t tend to make exciting reading.  Tire pressure is no different, but what if I told you proper tire maintenance could save you hundreds of dollars and possibly your life?

It’s doubtful most of us check tire pressure in our cars each and every time we go out, and this habit transfers to our motorcycles.  In a car, a minor change in air pressure results in inconvenience.  On a bike, a few lost pounds of air pressure make an immediate impact on the handling of the vehicle, tire wear, and general safety.  We recently had a woman bring her bike into service, who demonstrated this.

As she brought her motorcycle in for inspection, our service manager Adam flagged her down and told her that front tire was dangerously low.  The tire was nearly flat and only had 2 PSI.  It’s a minor miracle that she made it into the shop in one piece.  While it’s true that this is an extreme, it shows that not all of us are paying attention to the signals our bike is telling us.  The woman said her front end felt “mushy”, but didn’t check her tire pressure.

Every motorcycle has a recommended air pressure for each tire.  Unlike a car, motorcycle tire pressures are generally asymmetrical (front and rear tires accept different pressure).  Look in your owner’s manual for the correct pressures for your bike.  If you’re still not sure, talk to Patrick in our parts department or Adam in service to help you find the right pressure for your machine.

If it isn’t already, checking your tire pressure should be part of your pre-ride checklist.  If you’ve taken an MSF course, you’re familiar with T-CLOCS (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oils, Chassis, Sidestand).  Tires are first for a reason.  From a performance perspective, even a few pounds off specs will impact the way the bike behaves.  With too little tire pressure your bike will have mushy handling and stand up during braking. Too much tire pressure will reduce the contact patch for braking.  Either of these problems can result in critical failure and rapid wear if left unattended for too long.

A gentleman traded in a touring bike a few weeks ago.  As he traded it in, he told us how it just didn’t handle like it used to.  When our owner, Dennis, rode the bike he noticed the handling was a bit difficult.  He found the front tire was about half the recommended PSI.  I’m sure there were more reasons the customer wanted to trade in his mount, but the subtle loss of performance due to incorrect tire pressure could have been part of his decision.

From an economic standpoint, improper tire pressure will make you run through tires much quicker.  Low tire pressure will put more wear on the precious sides of the tire tread, if the pressure is too high, you will wear the middle of your tires faster.  An under inflated tire can alter the profile after just 1000 miles impacting handling, too. We all know how expensive motorcycle tires can be.  It only makes sense to protect this investment.  Our service team has seen several examples of tires shredded in under 2,000 miles because they were 5 to10 PSI under what they should have been. 

 If you don’t have one already, invest in an accurate, resetting tire gauge.  Patrick can help you pick out a gauge that will help keep your tires healthy and happy for many miles.  Take the few extra seconds before you head out to measure your tire pressure.  Not only will it give you a heads up for a possible leak, but it also gives you a close-up look at the tires you’re about to trust with your life. 

Tire inspection is especially important before and during a long trip.  If you’re touring, give your tires a once over every time you stop for a break.  Just like your pre-ride check, you want to look for any cracks, dry rot, or punctures you may have picked up.  If you see any obvious damage, it’s time to replace the tire.

A few weeks ago, I rode two up to Phoenix, Arizona with my wife.  I checked my tires every morning.  Since we were riding through differing temperatures and elevations, I frequently had to make adjustments as the pressure in the tires changed.  I also had an idea of the wear on my tires, which are always important but especially so when 2,300 miles from home. If you’re not sure about what to look for when inspecting your tires, ask our service department you to walk you through the basics.  The service team at Martin Motorsports wants your ride to be as safe and trouble free as possible.

Whether you’re riding for high performance, fun, or the economic advantages, it pays to keep an eye on your tires.  Keep your tires at the right pressure, and they will last longer, handle better, and give you a better feel for the road.