How to Mount a Motorcycle Tire Against the Rotational Direction

A motorcycle's tire is designed to rotate in a single direction.

Motorcycle tire manufacturers design their tires to maximize traction when tires rotate forward; the tires are marked with an arrow that indicates their proper rotational direction. Mounting the tire against its rotational direction can impair the tire's ability to grip the road and will alter the motorcycle's handling characteristics. In extreme cases, improperly mounting a tire in this manner can create a hazardous condition for the motorcycle's rider, passenger and others involved.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden blocks
• Motorcycle wheel
• Chalk or crayon
• Tire
• Tire irons
• Valve
• Valve tool
• Air compressor

Instructions

1. Place the motorcycle's wheel on a pair of wooden blocks for support. Mark the wheel's rotational direction (on the wheel's rim or brake rotor hub), using a crayon or chalk.

2. Locate the directional arrow imprinted on the tire's sidewall. Flip the tire around, so that the directional arrow runs opposite of the wheel's rotational direction. Place the tire over the wheel.

3. Hook the lower lip of the tire over the wheel's upper rim. Push down firmly around the tire to seat the lower lip completely over the rim. Once the lower lip is seated, push the tire downward to bring the tire's upper lip closer to the wheel's rim.

4. Slide a tire iron into the gap between the wheel's rim and the upper lip of the tire. Push the tire iron outward to lever a portion of the tire over the rim. Work your way around the tire until the entire upper lip of the tire is seated on the wheel.

5. Inflate the tire with compressed air until the tire's beads (which create the seal between the wheel and tire) pop into place. Allow the tire to deflate and install the valve into the valve stem. Use a valve tool to tighten valve into place. Inflate the tire with compressed air up to the tire's recommended air pressure.

Tips & Warnings

• Always mount a motorcycle tire in its intended rotational direction.

• Do not operate a motorcycle with an improperly mounted tire. A tire rotating against its intended rotational direction can create a loss of control or traction, resulting in a crash that may lead to injury or death.

References

• "The Professional Motorcycle Repair Program; Professional Career Development Institute;" Prentice-Hall; 1995