Motorcycle Explorer February 2015 Issue 4

More information Motorcycle Tyres or just motorcyle tyres in general! Minimum tyre tread depth Excessively worn tyres are more susceptible to penetrations and road hazards. Always remove a tyre before it reaches the legal minimum trread depth in your country. Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyres have a tread wear indicator in the form of a small bar/ridge located in the grooves of each tyre. Clearance Centrifugal forces and the heat generated in a tyre whilst riding can increase the tyre’s overall diameter. This effect is greater in bias-ply tyres than radials. Always ensure sufficient clearance between the tyre and other components on the motorcycle such as the mudguard, chain, swing arm and other fitments. Spinning your tyres Spinning a tyre to remove a motorcycle stuck in mud, ice, snow, or wet grass can be dangerous. A tyre spinning at a speedo reading above 35 miles per hour (55 km/h) can quickly reach a speed capable of disintegrating a tyre with explosive force. Under some conditions, a tyre may be spinning at a speed twice that shown on the speedometer. This could cause serious injury or death to bystanders or passenger and extensive motorcycle damage. Never spin a tyre above a speedometer reading of 35 mph (55 km/h). Wheel spokes and wire wheels Regularly inspect the spokes of your motorcycle wheels. Broken or loose spokes may cause wheel wobble, which can lead to instability and premature tyre wear. Check rim tape condition. A protruding spoke can damage a tube and cause a tyre puncture. Tyre (and vehicle) storage Tyres and/or vehicles should be stored indoors in a cool dry place where water cannot collect inside the tyres. The tyres and/or vehicles should be placed away from electric generators and motors and heat sources such as water pipes. Storage surfaces should be clean and free of grease, gasoline, or other substances, which can deteriorate the rubber. Improper storage can damage your tyres in ways that may not be visible to the naked eye but could lead to tyre failure. Oil, grease and petrol Rubber can deteriorate when exposed to any of these materials for any length of time. Use a clean, damp cloth to remove these chemicals from the tyre regularly, whether in use or in storage. Wheels and rims Always ensure that the correct tyre size and construction is chosen to match the manufacturer’s wheel size and specification. Always inspect the wheel for damage before fitting the tyre. Sidewall and treatment Use a mild soap solution to clean sidewalls, white stripes or raised white lettering, and then rinse off with plain water. Never apply any other materials, cleaners or dressings to enhance sidewall appearance. These items may degrade the rubber and remove inherent ozone cracking and weather checking resistance

Motorcycle Explorer February 2015 Issue 4 | Page 201