Four signs that scream: Change your motorcycle tyres

So it's been a while since you have been using the same set of tyres on your motorcycle. There are signs of wear and tear and you know it's time to change them.

However before you take the plunge to change your tyres, ask a professional to check them. Ideally, an inspection would be appropriate after five years of service and a necessary change of tyres, irrespective of the miles you have clocked, after ten years of service.

According to seasoned rider Abhishek Kadam, "There are many causes for the wear and tear of tyres in a bike. Some of the main causes are continuous off-roading and high speed riding that cause an increase in temperature of the tyres. The second most important cause is revving up the wheel which again increases the temperature of the tyres."

There is a list of signs to look out for if you think you might have to consider changing your tyres. A few of them are mentioned below:

Also Read: How to avoid accidents while riding your bike!

Check the tread depth of the tyres

Most tyres have certain designs and patterns in the form of little raised rubber bars called the Tread Wear Indicators (TWI). On tyres you can generally find arrows on the sidewalls that point to treads.

The recommended marker to change your tyres is when your tread depth reaches around 1.66mm of depth. The TWI is generally spread out across the width of the tyre.

In simpler words, when your tread is down to the level where it is even with the raised band, that is when you do need new tyres.

Also Read: Keep your leather riding gear in ship shape

Cold tear

Over inflation of the tyre causes a cold tear. In case of a tyre being over inflated, the contact space between the tyre and the ground is too small and thus makes it difficult to generate enough heat that should bring the tyre to operating temperature.

This causes the tyre to stay below operating temperature which results in the tyre being ripped off. The tears are quite deep and if you can actually get a fingernail in and pull a large chunk of rubber, then it's definitely time to change tyres.

Also Read: Going on a long ride? Tips to prepare your bike

Hot tear

A hot tear is the exact opposite of a cold tear. It's caused by the tyre being under inflated due to which the contact patch to the ground becomes too large and causes the tyre to overheat.

With the heating of the whole tyre, the surface gets very hot and melts off shockingly fast. Though it may seem quite similar to a cold tear, the difference is that the entire tyre is heated and the surface comes off with less effort as compared to the surface being ripped off in a cold tear.

You can easily identify a hot tear if it's difficult to tear the surface with your fingernails.

Also Read: Tips to improve your bike's fuel efficiency

Punctures or cuts in the sidewall

Any experienced rider can tell you that while riding on the roads, a sidewall or a tread puncture is the most common cause for frequent tear of tyres. And what's more is that it isn't always the right decision to repair a sidewall puncture due to the risk of blow-out occurring at any speed.

And this poses a risk to all commuters on the road including you. Nails, metal, shards of glass, rubbing or striking a hard surface or minor accidents are all causes for the sidewall being ruptured. The best way is to have your tyres looked-up regularly for any signs of damage to the sidewall.

In case of damage, the safest and best way is to change your tyres.

These are few of the very many reasons for which you may have to change your tyres. It's important for any rider -- beginner or seasoned to keep in mind the importance of having healthy tyres. After all it's your tyres that give you experience on the road and any tell-tale signs of wear and tear shouldn't be ignored.