How do we insure that our tires keep their shape?
Correct Tire Pressure. How do we monitor and assure ourselves that our tires can do their job? TPMS
This roundness is great, right? Well for turning, Yes. For mileage and longevity, No. Because our motorcycle tire is rounded, the amount of tire in contact with the road is relatively small when going straight as compared to a car/truck tire of the same total width.
Ok, so we learned why the shapes are different and now realize that the smaller running surface of the motorcycle tire is why our mileage is less. It doesn’t stop here though. The rubber compounds used in motorcycle tires are often much softer/stickier than those of cars/trucks. Softer/stickier tires raise the coefficient of drag by increasing the amount of surface contact. They do this by deforming to the road surface irregularities easier, faster, and with less force required than harder rubber. The downside is that softer rubber tears and shreds itself away as it moves across those road surfaces. The more friction, the more tearing and shredding of the rubber.
Heat and Soft Rubber also have a direct relationship. Cold rubber will be harder, less sticky, and less willing to conform to the road surface irregularities thus less grip. Hot rubber is too soft and looses it’s ability to hold onto road surfaces as it should and must do. Tire Flex is the major source of heat in a tire used in normal conditions. The flexing will generate heat through the carcass movements. Tire manufacturing companies have spent years developing and testing different tire compounds and construction methods. These tires are made and designed to work at very precise pressures.
What can we do to check and maintain our tires?
TPMS. How do we monitor our pressure and tire temperatures? TPMS
Rubber is an organic substance so a tire starts decomposing the day it’s made. Time, Sunlight, and Heat all take their toll on our tires. Whether they’re on the motorcycle or in storage, the moisture naturally present in the rubber when new out-gases and the tire turns drier, harder, and closer to compost every day. As they dry and age, tires become brittle and less able to handle the stresses of flexing and use. Be aware of this and look at the dates carefully before you jump on that great close-out pricing. Fresh Rubber, proper sizing, and proper inflation are key to safely enjoying our sport.