Dirt Bike and Motorcycle Tires
When it comes to dirt bike riding, few parts are as important as the tires. Just try riding a dirt bike without them! Motorcycle tires are a testament to modern engineering. So how do they work? Read on to find out!
We’ll cover how off-road riding tires are designed and maintained, and we’ll also cover the basics of knowing when to replace them. If you’re a dirt bike owner, make sure to read on to learn for yourself everything you need to know about dirt bike tires. If you haven’t found your perfect dirt bike yet, make sure to stop by Crossroads Powersports in Upper Darby near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We proudly serve the areas of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The Anatomy of Dirt Bike Tires
Motorcycle tires can vary in design and application, but most follow a relatively similar break down. There are five main parts that can be found in virtually all modern motorcycle tires: the tread, the sidewall, the bead, the tube, and the radials. On a dirt bike tire, the tread is the knobby part of the tire that comes in contact with the dirt and mud. This part is crucial for traction.
The sidewall is, as you might expect, the side of the tire. It helps to provide cushioning for the tire by keeping the metal rim from transferring shocks from the terrain up into the bike. The bead is the piece of metal and rubber that goes around the inside of the “donut” of the tire. This makes a strong seal with the rim. Inner tubes help to provide a consistent toughness and level of air pressure, even when rough terrain might otherwise break the bead. Finally, the radials are steel bands or wires that run the circumference of the tire that provide rigidity and strength to the tires.
Types of Dirt Bike and Dual Sport Tires
There are a few different types of tire suited for off-road motorcycle riding. Tires that are made for dirt bikes and dual sport bikes generally come on a spectrum that ranges from less aggressive treads on one end to more aggressive treads on the other. Dual sport bikes often have relatively tame treads that allow the rider to switch from pavement to dirt and gravel roads without problems. Dirt bikes usually have much more aggressive tires that are meant to tear deep into the soil and gravel. At the professional motocross level, tires can vary even more greatly and can come in a wide variety of rubber compounds of varying hardnesses.
How to Maintain Off-Road Tires
Keeping your tires in good shape requires some attention and care. The first and most important step is to make sure your tires stay at a consistent air pressure. Make sure to check your tire’s air pressure before each ride. If you find your tire is leaking air consistently, it’s probably due to a hole in the inner tube.
You’ll also want to take a look at your tires and make sure they aren’t showing any obvious damage. Bulges, deep abrasions, cuts, “chunking” and foreign objects stuck in your tires can lead to serious leaks or blowouts later on. It’s helpful to use a hose to blast the mud and dirt off your tires after rides to give them a closer inspection.
When to Replace Tires
Knowing when to replace tires on a street bike is somewhat more straightforward than knowing when to change them on a dirt bike because it’s easier to determine how many miles you’ve put on a street bike. That being said, there are some clear warning signs. Look for “chunking,” otherwise known as broken or missing knobs. If the knobs are completely rounded off, that’s a good sign that the rubber is wearing down, too. Look at the rubber. If it’s severely discolored, even after a spray down with the hose, it might be damaged. Look for cracking and other damage. If your tire is over a year old and has been ridden relatively consistently, it might be time for a replacement.
When it’s time to replace your motorcycle tires, stop by Crossroads Powersports. Our location in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania is near Philadelphia and proudly serves the areas of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.