Motorcycle tire care and maintenance: part one - tire pressure
By Fred Kreider - Jan 23, 2006

While operating your motorcycle, always heed warning signs such as vibration, handling instability, rubbing or noise that can be attributed to how your rubber meets the road. 

Under-inflated tires can result in imprecise cornering, higher running temperatures, irregular tread wear at the edge of the contact patch, fatigue cracking, overstressing and eventual failure of the tire.

Over-inflating tires does not increase load carrying capacity, but will result in a hard ride and accelerated tire wear in the center of the contact patch.

Check cold tire pressure before your ride and frequently with a good quality gauge that holds a reading. For high-speed, fully loaded or dual-riding touring motorcycle applications, inflate front and rear tires to maximum recommended by vehicle manufacturer.  Rear touring tires must be inflated to a minimum of 36 psi for light to medium loads and 40 psi for dual riding and other loads. Never exceed maximum load indicated on tire sidewall or vehicle capacity load found in owner's manual.

Tires lose pressure for several reasons. Loss of pressure may occur due to worn out or badly seated valve cores. Check valve cores, and if necessary, tighten the cores.  If tightening valve core does not stop the loss of pressure, you should remove and replace them. A metal or hard plastic valve cap with an inner gasket should be used and installed finger tight to protect the valve core from dust, moisture and to help maintain a positive air seal.

Loss of inflation pressure may be the result of undetected tire damage. Visually inspect your tires for punctures, cuts, abrasions, cracks, bulges, blisters or knots. It may be necessary to remove the tire to complete an inspection for internal damage and any need for repair.  Only certain punctures in the tread area may be repaired, and only if no other damage is present.  If you are not sure, it is wise to consult your local cycle maintenance repair shop.

Tires with non-repairable damage must not be used again. Damage caused by impacts, penetrations or continued under-inflated/overloaded use is progressive and can result in sudden and complete tire failure and accident.

Always seek expert inspection of your tires following curb, chuckhole or other impacts, evidence of penetration beyond the tire surface, bulges or low pressure. Do not continue riding on such tires.

Before and after rides and anytime you are cleaning, detailing or working on your motorcycle, inspect your tires for damage.