The condition and quality of the tires is crucial for driving safety and the handling of your motorcycle, as they are the only connection to the road. For this reason, they are also subject to constant wear and tear and should be checked regularly. You should not only pay attention to damage, tread depth and air pressure, but also check the age of your motorcycle tires. These are mostly made of rubber, which is why they become brittle and hard over time. As a result, a large part of safety and comfort is lost. But how old can a motorcycle tire be? How do I know its age and when is it time to change it? Is there a way to extend the lifespan? You will get an answer to all these questions in this article.
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How do I know the age of my motorcycle tyres?
If you want to find out how old your tires are, all you have to do is look at their sidewall. There you will find a string of letters and numbers that starts with DOT. This is the abbreviation of “Department of Transportation”, the United States Department of Transportation. This ministry has standardized the labeling of tires to indicate their date of manufacture and other information. The date of manufacture can be found in an oval at the end of the string, with the first 2 digits indicating the calendar week and the last two indicating the year of production. For example, if the DOT number on your tire reads “DOT N624ACB1R 2914”, it was manufactured in the 29th week of the year 2014. But after how many years do you have to change your motorcycle tires?
How long does a motorcycle tire last?
Because the tires are your bike's only connection to the road, their condition is critical to a two-wheeler's safety and performance. However, only the minimum tread depth is legally regulated, which, according to §36 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), is 1.6 mm, as with cars. If a tire has reached this depth, it must be replaced with a new one, as it can no longer guarantee the required driving safety.
Apart from the tread depth, damage can also mean that a motorcycle tire has to be changed before it reaches its age limit. These can have various causes, such as incorrect storage, too much sunlight and driving over sharp edges or pointed objects.
The replacement time also often depends on the mileage of the motorcycle tires. It usually depends on what type of tire you drive. Touring tires usually last significantly longer than sports tires. While the former have to be changed after around 14,000 km, the latter has to be changed after around 6,000 km.
On the other hand, there are different opinions regarding the age limit of a motorcycle tire, as this can be influenced by various factors, which are described in more detail in the next section. Specialists usually recommend replacing tires after 6 to 7 years. With proper storage and care, the service life can also be extended. After 10 years at the latest, you should definitely fit your motorcycle with new tires, as the rubber compound in the tires hardens over time. This reduces their performance and grip on the road surface, which also increases the risk of an accident.
What influences the durability of motorcycle tires?
How long you can use motorcycle tires depends in particular on the following factors, some of which have a decisive influence on their service life:
- Tire pressure
- Weather
- Road conditions
- Driver's driving style
- Payload
- Storage
- Speed
- Tire type (touring tires or sports tires)
How can I prevent premature wear and damage?
There are a few things you can do to extend the life of your motorcycle tires.
- Regular tire pressure checks: As not only too low but also too high air pressure can lead to faster wear, the right pressure is crucial to prolong the life of your tires. Apart from that, incorrect tire pressure increases the risk of an accident due to a longer braking distance.
- Avoiding unpaved roads: If you frequently drive on gravel roads or on unkempt paths, your tires will wear out up to 30% faster than on paved roads.
- Reducing the load: the more luggage and ballast you transport on your motorcycle, the faster your tires wear out.
- Proper Storage: Tires are best stored in a cool, dark, and dry place to extend their shelf life.
- Reducing driving speed: Excessive speed also has a negative impact on the life of your motorcycle tires. For example, if you only drive 100 km/h instead of 120 km/h, you can increase the mileage of your tires by almost 30%.
How do I know when I need to change my motorcycle tyres?
Many signs that motorcycle tires need to be changed can be seen with the naked eye. This includes, but is not limited to, obvious damage such as cuts, holes, significant discoloration, cracks, and driven-in screws or nails. Some of this damage can be repaired. If this is not possible, a tire change is unavoidable.
Checking the tire profile can also provide information as to whether you can still drive with your tires without hesitation or whether you should think about new ones. To do this, simply insert the measuring stick of a tread depth gauge into a groove in the center of the tread. Even if the legal minimum depth is 1.6 mm, you should consider buying new tires from a tread depth of 3 mm, as experts recommend this as the minimum, because the risk of an accident increases significantly with a lower tread depth. If your tires are worn unevenly, it is advisable to check whether a mechanical defect is the cause.
Apart from obvious damage and a worn tire profile, a look at the DOT number also provides information as to whether a tire change is due soon. If the motorcycle tire is more than 7 years old, its rubber compound has most likely already hardened so much that a new tire should be purchased as soon as possible in order to maintain the performance and safety of the bike.
Conclusion
Since the motorcycle tires are the only connection to the road, their condition is extremely important for road safety. For this reason, they should be checked regularly for damage and tread depth. However, since their rubber compound has usually hardened 6 to 7 years after manufacture, they should then be replaced regardless of damage and tread depth, but at the latest when discolouration and cracks can be seen. You can have your motorcycle tires changed at an auto repair shop or do it yourself to save money. On the other hand, you should refrain from buying cheap tyres, as the quality differences become very clear, especially in more extreme conditions such as rain, heavy braking and high acceleration.