Cars are infinitely safer than motorcycles. There are a lot of safety features, protective frames and fail-safes that protect the drivers of cars, while the drivers of motorcycles are far more exposed to dangers. One of particular concern relates to tires.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when evaluating the safety of your motorcycle tires:
— Motorcycle tires don’t last as long as car tires. Because many motorcyclists only use their bikes for fun on the weekends, their tires might seem to last a long time, and the tread might wear down slowly over the years. However, motorcycle tires are made of softer rubber so they can grip the road better. For that reason, they’ll harden up faster than car tires. By ten years after the date of manufacture, you need to replace your tires.
— Tread wear indicator bars are important: With a car, if one of your tires blows, you can pull off to the side of the road and replace it. With a motorcycle, a tire blow could result in a serious crash. You can’t take chances with your motorcycle tires so that the tread wears down to the indicator bars.Once they do that, they are no longer safe.
— Just say no to “crack.” Even if your tires are under 10 years old, they can dry out depending on where the bike is stored and the weather. If you notice any dry rot or cracking, replace the tires immediately.
— Uneven wearing: If your tires are squaring off, if you notice a bald patch, or if they’re wearing down on just one side, replace them. Also, get your wheels balanced because this might be what’s causing the uneven wearing.
— Get regular check-ups: Once your motorcycle tires are five years old, take them in for annual check-ups and get a check-up if anything seems off.
Were you hurt in a motorcycle versus car crash Sometimes, no amount of safety awareness is enough to prevent an injurious motorcycle crash. If you were hurt in a motorcycle versus car crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek justice and financial restitution in court.