How to Determine the Quality of Motorcycle Tires
When looking to buy tires for a motorcycle, there are various ways to determine whether the tires you are considering are quality tires, which is especially important when purchasing used tires. Whether it's tires for a dirt bike or an on-road motorcycle, the quality of the tire can be identified simply by evaluating the compound of the tire. It doesn't take a tire expert to learn the differences in soft and hard compounds and which type is best for the surfaces you will be riding on.
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Instructions
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Decide what type of surface or terrain you will be riding on most.
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Using your hand, feel of the tire where it makes contact with the surface of the road to determine the type of compound. A soft compound, while ideal for certain conditions, doesn't last very long. A hard compound will last longer but will not "grab" the road as well.
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Observe the sides of the tires for cracks and bubbles. Cracks should not be present on new tires; bubbles are not uncommon on reconditioned, imperfect or blemished tires. The best quality tire will be free of cracks, bubbles and blemishes.
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Using a measuring tape, measure the depth of the tread. Motorcycle tires with less than 1 to 2 mm of tread depth should be discarded. Tires that have internal materials exposed and visible should be discarded no matter what depth of tread they have.
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Examine the knobs of the tread. If you are planning on riding off-road in mud, dirt and on rough terrain, the knobs should be rugged and of a medium-soft compound, resembling that of a football cleat.
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Tips & Warnings
The pattern of the tread on a tire is essential to riding conditions. Tires of the highest quality can perform exceedingly poor if the proper type of tread is not used for the surface conditions. This could also be a safety hazard.
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