As most motorcycle riders will tell you, there is no single answer to this question. The mileage you expect to get from your motorcycle tires highly depends on several factors, such as the construction of those tires, your type of riding, and the power and weight of your motorcycle.
Still, you should expect a mileage between 1,500 miles and 15, 000 miles depending on the type of tires you have. In other words, some tires are designed to last for less than 1,500 miles while others are designed to last over 10,000 miles. Also, the front tire does not handle as much weight as the rear tire and it can therefore last more miles. Below are some of the factors that determine the durability of motorcycle tires.
Factors that Determine the Number of Miles You can get on Your Motorcycle Tires
Motorcycle tires manufacturers do not inscribe a “use by date” on the tires they produce because many factors affect the lifespan. A quick example, if you mostly leave your motorbike outside, then the tires will not last as long as the tires on a motorcycle that is always parked safely in a garage. Below are some of the other factors that will affect the durability of your motorcycle tires.
1.The Quality of Your Motorcycle Tires
A high-performance tire will only get a few miles. It is for that reason touring tires are known to last much longer than the tires designed for racing motorcycles. However, safety should be your priority when it comes to choosing tires. Experts recommend going for high-quality and high-performance tires, including for people who rarely engage in aggressive riding styles. Tires should heat up fast and offer the best grip to keep you on the road.
2.The Performance of Your Motorcycle
The type, performance, and weight of your motorcycle will also affect the durability of the tires. If your bike has a high-performance engine, then you should expect a few miles on the tires. Even more, you should expect fewer miles if the motorcycle is very heavy or it pulls a heavy trailer.
High-performance street bikes are known to wear out tires faster than the other motorcycles. So, if you own such a motorcycle, you should expect the tires to last for around 1,500-7,000 miles. In contrast, people who own light touring bikes should expect the tires to cover around 10,000-15,000 miles.
3.Your Riding Habits
It is known that motorcyclists with aggressive riding styles replace their motorcycle tires more often than the less aggressive ones. Therefore, being hard on the throttle means that your motorcycle tires will wear out very fast.
Similarly, your new motorcycle tires can last for a few hours during a track day but last for a whole season with reasonable usage. People who do many starts and stops also wear the tires faster than those who cover long highway miles.
4.Weather and Road Conditions
Weather and road conditions are other important factors that determine the durability of motorcycle tires. High road temperatures expected in warmer climate areas are known to heat the tires and reduce their lifespan. Chip seal and grooved concrete roads eat motorcycle tires very fast due to the rough surface.
5.Heat Cycles
Motorcycle tires go through a complete heat cycle each time they warm-up and cool down. The heat cycle compromises the grip they can offer. Thereby, if your bike lives in a garage or a hot environment, then it will lose its grip faster because the heat will increase the rate of rubber decomposition.
Tires handle heat cycles differently. Tires designed for racing bikes can withstand extreme heat on the racetrack but they can only withstand 2-3 heat cycles before losing their grips. Sport touring tires on the other hand can withstand extreme heat just like race tires but they can withstand many heat cycles.
Tires designed for cool and wet climates cannot deal with the heat expected in the hot and dry climates and they might bake out before their treads are worn away. It is for that reason track day riders and racers use tire warms to reduce the number of heat cycles.
Tips for Keeping Your Motorcycle Tires in Good Condition for Many Days
Most motorcycle riders will only pay attention to the tires after they visibly go bald. That should not happen anymore because the condition of tires plays a good role in the performance of your bike as well as your safety while riding. The last thing you would want is to get a skid or a crash just because you did not pay closer attention to the condition of your motorbike tires. Below are some of the tips that will help you maintain the tires in good condition for a long time and save money.
- Inspect the tires before every ride to be sure that they are in good working condition. Look for cuts, tread wear, cracking, and foreign objects that might be chipped onto the tires.
- Check the pressure of the tires before riding the bike and inflate them periodically. Under-inflation may cause the rubber to generate excess heat leading to a tire blowout. Similarly, the tires may get punctured, broken, and cut by sudden impacts easily when they are under-inflated.
- Where you park and ride the motorcycle also affects the longevity of the tires. A quick example, leaving the tires exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day may cause dry rot. Also, riding in parking lots full of nails can damage the tires.
- Take time to break in every new tire. Ride for the first 100-150 miles cautiously so that the tires break ink-in properly and last for a long time. Avoid hard cornering, maximum braking, or sudden acceleration in the first few days.
FAQs
Q: Should I Replace My Motorbike Tires in Pairs?
A: No. You do not have to replace the front tire with the rear one if it is not worn out. However, if the rear tire has existed for over five years, then you have to replace both tires at the same time. Most motorcyclists, particularly touring riders, replace the front tire during the second change of the rear one.
Q: Why is Motorcycle Tires Very Expensive?
A: The tires are expensive because of the law of demand and supply. Motorcycle tires manufacturers are few but the demand for the tires is always high. Furthermore, the manufacturers have to produce various sizes to meet the market demand. Motorcycle mechanics also charge a lot of money to install the tires due to the involved work.
Q: Should Motorcycle Tires Be Balanced?
A: Balancing the tires is important for the good performance of the motorcycle. So, you should have your new tires balanced before you start riding the bike. Besides, you have to balance them if they start wearing out abnormally or the weights fall off.
Q: Can I Put Tires from Different Manufacturers on My Motorcycle?
A: Yes, you can use tires from different manufacturers on your motorcycle, unless they are of different quality. Tires are a vital part of your motorcycle and you have to be careful when choosing them. Keep in mind that motorcycle tires with different tread patterns will affect the stability of your bike.
Q: How Much Should I Pay for Motorcycle Tires Replacement?
A: The price of replacing a motorcycle tire ranges between $69 and $159. The price highly depends on the type of motorcycle, the manufacturer, and the tire.
Conclusion
Motorcycle tires are made to last for less than 5 years. Therefore, it is time to replace those on your bike if they have exceeded the age limit. The rubber components used to make the tires will start hardening if you fail to replace them. That will make them less flexible and brittle. Still, you do not have to wait for the period to end. Inspect the tires regularly and replace them if you notice any cuts, punctures, tears, wear, or any damage.