TYRE PRESSURES
It's good to get into the habit of checking your pressures before riding the bike - and certainly before the first ride of the season! Tyre pressures are critical to the way the bike handles, and even a couple of PSI makes all the difference. If you can, use nitrogen in preference to air - the molecules are larger and this results in reduced air seepage from the tyre.
We always inflate motorcycle tyres with nitrogen - and we don't charge you extra for it!
TAKE IT EASY FOR THE FIRST 100 MILES!
During the tyre’s manufacturing process, its surface is coated with a release agent to prevent it from sticking to the tyre mould. In some cases, this non-stick property can make the tyre slippery on the road when it is first fitted to a bike, presenting a potential safety hazard for riders.
To overcome this safety risk, riders are advised to avoid maximum power, hard acceleration, braking and cornering for the first 100 miles or so. This period of gentle riding allows time for the tyre to ‘scrub-in’ while any traces of the release agent are removed from the surface. With potentially reduced levels of grip, riders should take extra care on wet or greasy roads.
PUNCTURE REPAIRS TO MOTORCYCLE TYRES
The regulation that covers puncture repairs in motorcycle tyres is BSAU159f. It states that no repairs are allowed in the sidewalls (these flex continuously and a repair is likely to fail), and repairs are not allowed on high speed Z-rated tyres. However, Michelin DO allow repairs to their own Z-rated tyres - providing that repair is carried out to BS standard. They are the ONLY tyre manufacturer to allow this.
Repairs, which must be carried out with a mushroom plug, can only be made in the centre of the tread area, to within 25% of each side of the centre line. Only two repairs per tyre are allowed up to the J (62mph) speed rating, and one up to the V (over 130mph with 155mph maximum) speed rating. Up to J-rating, repairs no bigger than 6mm are allowed, and up to the V-rating only repairs up to 3mm are allowed. Anything outside of these parameters and the tyre is scrap.
