A simple operation to achieve, but neglected. However, driving with too low tire pressure not only leads to poor road holding, but also to premature tire wear and over-consumption (more floor space and therefore more energy loss). More serious, a pressure or tire pressure can be a cause of accident. It is therefore important to regularly check the pressure of your tires...
Regularly check the condition of your motorcycle tires
- Wear
Depth of the grooves and proximity of the wear indicators. It takes a furrow thickness of at least a few millimeters. This allows the road tire to work properly and flush the water if necessary.
- State
The eraser must have a clean appearance. The tire must not be cracked, deformed, or have hernias (hump), a symptom of a deterioration of its structure, thus a loss of its optimal functioning. Attention, do not remove a pebble, a nail or a screw planted in your tire, you could cause a puncture (cf Tire flat, what to do?)
- Pressure
The maximum pressure is indicated on the tires. It varies according to its type, the use that one makes of it and its size. Refer to the maintenance manual for your motorcycle or the information found on the internet on your tire model for the ideal pressure. In general, to counteract the tendency not to monitor tire pressure, tire manufacturers are inflating their tires by a few tenths of a bar.
Motorcycle tire: Do we have to inflate them with nitrogen?
The tire inflation solution with nitrogen does not add anything to motorcycles because:
"The first advantage of inflating tires with nitrogen is the removal of oxygen, the other main component of the air, which has the unfortunate ability to pass through the rubber, which leads to inevitable Oxygen, as its name suggests, has the ability to oxidize, especially the components of the tire and to promote the corrosion of the rim, its absence is therefore desirable in the world of competition. (especially in F1) as well as in aviation, tires are still inflated with nitrogen, less sensitive than oxygen to temperature differences. " (source - the Argus - 10.8.2000).
So if the inflation tires nitrogen is of real interest for the motorist (often not very concerned about the pressure of his tires), for the rider (much more concerned) it would bring nothing more. Otherwise, there may be the risk that he might think that he should never worry about his pressure again, which would be very dangerous.
When is a tire worn?
The tread depth of the tires of your motorcycle must be greater than 1 mm. Since the decree of September 30, 1997 published in the Official Journal of October 11, 1997 the depth limit of the tire sculptures of motorcycles as scooters is more than 1.6 mm as previously, but 1mm. This decree of 30/09/1997 which specifies among other things that: "the depth of grooves measured at four points distributed uniformly over the circumference of the tire must not be less than one millimeter for more than one point out of four". Below this level, there is a risk of slipping, aqua-planing (a film of water is formed between the road and the surface of the tire causing an uncontrollable glide) and bad braking. In addition, it is a traffic offense that results in a fourth class fine. Heavy wear of a motorcycle tire can now lead to immobilization of the vehicle and the obligation to change the used tire (s). This immobilization may be accompanied by the requirement to report to a police station or similar for a replacement check.