When should I change my tyres?

When should I change my tyres?

 

The tyre is the only point of contact between the vehicle and the ground.

You must ensure that you preserve the quality and performance of your tyres. To do so, it is recommended you adhere to the safety instructions and user recommendations.

Non-compliance with these recommendations may harm the bike's performance, may cause handling problems and/or malfunction of the tyre that may put the safety of the user and third parties at risk.

Regularly checked tyres last longer
It is a good idea to check your tyres weekly for tread depth and condition, sidewall damage, any signs of irregular wear and twice a month for inflation pressure. If in doubt, seek the advice of a trained tyre expert who will be able to tell you if the tyre is suitable for further use.

Six reasons to change your tyre

We have listed six major reasons, below, identifying when you should seriously consider changing your tyres. In certain situations, a tyre can be repaired. The repair of Michelin tyres must be preceded by a careful examination of all areas of the tyre, inside and out, by a trained specialist. The removal of the tyre from the wheel is essential because internal damage is not normally visible from the outside while the tyre is fitted.

1. If you get a puncture

Modern tyres are very sturdy and can cope with most things. Punctures, though, can and do still happen. A tyre specialist should check your tyre after a puncture to detect for any damage that might mean your tyre is unrepairable.  Safety procedures when you have a puncture while on the move:

• Always consider your safety and that of your passengers, pull off the road in a safe place
• Switch off the engine
• Switch on your hazard warning lights if fitted or your near side indicator if not.
• Wear a yellow high-visibility vest
• Ideally place a warning triangle at the side of the road 100m behind the motorcycle

Your safety comes first - always!

2. When your tyres are worn down to the legal limit of wear

It is a good idea to check your tyres regularly for tyre wear. But how? Here is a simple way to tell if your tyres are worn out.

A Michelin man figure on the shoulder of a Michelin tyre shows the location of the tread wear indicators situated in each of the main grooves of the tread. These indicators are small raised areas at the bottom of the main grooves of the tread pattern.

If the surface of the tread rubber is level with these raised areas, the tyre tread depth is most likely very close to the legal limit of 1 mm or below it! Michelin strongly recommends that you consider changing your tyres before this limit is reached. They may no longer provide sufficient safety, grip or performance, particularly in the wet and you could be breaking the law.

Even if the remaining tread depth is greater than 1 mm, you should adapt your speed and driving style to the external conditions, particularly on wet roads. 

3. If your tyre shows signs of aging

Tyres have no predictable service life.  It does not matter when the tyres were made.  Tyres age even when not used, or if only used occasionaly.  There are many factors that will affect the life of a tyre, including temperature, maintenance, condition of storage and use, load, speed, pressure as well as riding style.  These will all have considerable impact on the length of service life you can expect from your tyres.  Pay regular attention to your tyres for these reasons.

Michelin recommends that all riders pay regular attention to the external appearence of their tyres for clear signs of aging or fatigue.  This can include cracking of the rubber of the outer tread, shoulder and bead side, plus deformation etc.  Excessive aging of tyres may lead to loss of grip.

Michelin also recommends that all tyres, are inspected regularly by a tyre specialist.  They can tell you whether your tyres should continue in service.

How old is to old?  The five year test.  After five years or more in service, your tyres should be thoroughly inspected. at least once per year.  If the need arises follow the recommendations of the bike manufacturer regarding replacing the original equipment tyres.  As a precaution if the tyres have not been replaced in ten years from the date of manufacturer (see how to read a tyre sidewall).  Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres.  Even if they appear to be in suitable condition and have not worn down to the tread indicator.

4. If your tyre is damaged

Your tyre can be seriously damaged if it impacts any solid object on the road, like a kerb, pothole or sharp object.  Any visable perforation, cut or deformation must be checked in-depth by a tyre professional.  Only they can tell whether the tyre can be repaired or has to be changed.

Remember, never use a damaged tyres or tyres that may have run flat without the help of a professional is absolutley necessary because internal damage is not visable while the tyre is mounted.

The tyre definitely can't be repaired in the following situations:

1. Punctures to the sidewall
2. Bead wire visible or distorted
3. Separation of the rubbers or fabrics
4. Creases in rubbers or fabrics
5. Damage by hydrocarbons or corrosive substances
6. Chafing or mottling of internal rubbers by running under inflated

5. If you identify abnormal wear

The choice of a tyre must be compliant with legislation and with equipment recommended by the bike manufacturer.

For best all-round performance, the same tyre design should be used on front and rear positions.

Tyres of different tread pattern, construction and stages of wear may affect motorcycle handling and stability.  Thus, expect if recommended par the motorcycle manufacturer, do not mix radial and non radial tyres on a motorcycle.

There are many ways to find the proper tyres for your vehicle.  If you're not sure what tyres are suitable for your motorcycle, use our tyre selector or contact your tyre specialist.  You may also search the Michelin tyre name.  This will help determine the most suitable Michelin tyre for you motorcycle and should be discussed with your tyre specialist.

6. What does the law say?

The 'Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986', specifically Reg.. 24 to 27, specify exactly what tyres of tyres can be legally fitted to your vehicle.  THESE NOTES HAVE BEEN EXTRACTED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY: THEY MUST NOT BE TAKEN TO REPRESENT THE LAW.

REGULATION 24:  This regulation specifies what type of tyre maybe fitted to different classes of vehicles, and any conditions and/or exemptions that apply.  As far as Motorcycles are concerned this regulation states that 'no recut tyre shall be fitted ' to a motorcycle used on a public highway.

REGULATION 25: This regulation is concerned with tyres load index and the speed rating.  The regulation requires that the tyres fitted to the vehicle are not only capable of supporting the maximum permitted load on each axle but of doing so at the vehicles maximum legal speed.  In defining 'load-capacity index' and 'speed category' the Regulation makes reference to UN ECE Regulations 30 and 54 and to the European Union Directive 92/23/EEC

REGULATION 26:  Deals with the mixing of tyres of different structures.  The regulation defines three types of tyre structures, diagonal ply (Crossply), bias-belted and radial.  No vehicle shall be fitted with tyres of differing structures on the same axle (even twinned or rear axel), the following are the LEGAL tyre combinations.

 

Front	Rear
Diagonal ply (Crossply)	Diagonal ply (Crossply)l
Bias belted	Bias belted
Radial	Radial
Diagonal ply (Crossply)	Bias belted
Bias belted	Radial
Diagonal ply (Crossply)	Radial

Maintenance of tyres.  It specifies when a tyre should not be used on the road due to for example:

Example:- It not being suitable for the use to which the vehicle is being put, or issues relating to its condition or maintenance, such as inappropriate tyre pressures, cuts, bulges or tyre damage.  This Regulation also specifies that the grooves of the tread pattern of every tyre fitted to the motorcycles shall be of a depth of at least 1mm throughout a continuous band comprising the central three quarters of the breath of tread round the entire circumference of the tyre.

In accordance with these rules , look under the heading 'Tyre Selector' for the alternatives offered by MICHELIN for each of the vehicle model.