1.  How can I prevent flat tyres on my dirt bike?


Dirt bikes are really put to the test on rough, muddy and rocky terrains.  This can put a lot of stress on the wheels and tyres and flats can easily occur.  You can buy specially strengthened inner dirt bike tubes which can help to prevent flats.  These are a bit more expensive but are essential for heavy terrain and competitive events where you don’t want to have to worry about stopping for flat motorcycle tyres.

 

 

2. How do I select the right replacement tyres for my dirt bike?


The best way to do this is to look in your owner’s manual.  This will provide you with the recommended sizes and types of dirt bike tyres suitable for each model.  Tyre manufacturers will also have lists of all the approved models of motorcycles suitable for each tyre range and this is also a good way to double check you are buying the right dirt bike tyres. Tyres can directly affect dirt bike performance, handling and suspension so you do need to make sure you are using the appropriate tyre for your bike.  Don’t just rely on someone else’s recommendation and make sure you get professional advice if you are unsure.

 

 

3.  Can I swap from bias to radial tyres?


Bias and radial motorcycle tyres create different cornering forces and have other important dynamic differences.  Bias tyres were commonly used in the motorcycle market for many years.  In order for radial tyres to be used on motorcycles new steering geometries had to be introduced with modified frames and suspension.  This means that not all motorbikes will be set up properly to run with both bias and radial tyres.  Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines before you think about swapping the original type of tyre for another one.  Never mix radial and bias tyres on the bike unless the bike or tyre manufacturer has approved this first.

 

 

4. Can I put wider tyres on my dirt bike?


Wider tyres produce different dynamic properties so you do need to double check the manufacturer’s instructions before you add a wider tyre to your dirt bike.  Wider off road tyres can affect stability and handling significantly and it could be dangerous if you fit a tyre that has not been approved for your model of bike.  If wider off road tyres are approved for your dirt bike then you do need to check that your rim is wide enough and it is normally only appropriate to increase by one size design only.

 

 

5.  Can I upgrade performance by adding higher speed rated tyres to my bike?


The speed rating on tyres denotes the maximum speed at which the tyre can be run.  When choosing
dirt bike tyres you need to select ones that are appropriate to the maximum speed anticipated by the capacity of your dirt bike.  If you fit higher rated tyres it will not increase performance and these tyres may not be appropriate for your bike and the conditions you ride in.  For optimum performance and mileage you need to fit the speed rated dirt bike tyres that have been recommended for your model of bike.

 

 

6. Why do bike tyres wear out more quickly than car tyres?


In general, motorbikes are designed to be tough off-road vehicles or high performance road vehicles.  Compared to most cars motorcycle tyres will be exposed to much more extreme conditions in terms of load and temperature with more excessive braking, cornering, acceleration and steering.  Also, when cornering, bikes need to turn right in and this causes wear on edges of the tyre and not just the flat contact area like a car.  This is why most road motorbikes need at least a ‘H’ speed-rated tyre when the majority of cars can get by on much lower speed-rated options.  Because motorcycle tyres are exposed to much more demanding conditions they wear more quickly than car tyres on aveage.

 

 

7. Why are there directional arrows on some tyres?


You may have noticed directional arrows on motorcycle tyres.  This is mainly because many tyres are designed with tread patterns that are manufactured for a specific rotation, particularly in wet conditions.  By fitting the tyres in the direction indicated by the arrows you can ensure maximum performance.  Fitting the tyres the wrong way round can reduce performance and can also cause excessive wear meaning that you will have to replace the tyres more often.

 

 

8. How important is tyre pressure for off-road bikes?


Traction and grip can be major problems in off-road conditions which can put your motorbike through some very challenging environments including slippery mud, hard rock and loose dirt/sand.  The pressure of your dirt bike tyres will be a key factor in maximising traction and grip and helping you to get the best performance from your bike in tough conditions.  For softer conditions (mud, dirt and sand) you should be looking to set a slightly lower pressure of around 11 PSI (front) and 10 PSI (rear).  For harder terrains such as dry river beds, hard trails and rocky paths then the air pressure will need to be harder at around 13 PSI (front) and 14 PSI (rear).

 

 

9.  How often should I check air pressure for my dirt bike tyres?


You do need to check your tyre pressure before every run.  Dirt bike tyres get exposed to some rough conditions and can lose pressure much more quickly than road tyres.  If you lose just 4 PSI of pressure then this is equivalent to losing as much as 70 pounds of load carrying capacity and this can put a lot of pressure on the suspension and significantly reduce ride comfort.  You can run into big problems running under-inflated tyres on rough off-road tracks.  If you hit a big rut, hole, tree root or stone then the tyre could buckle over the rim causing significant damage to both the tyre and the wheel.

 

 

10.  What is cupping?


Cupping is basically irregular wear on your tyres and this can affect all types of motorbikes.  Unlike a car you cannot swap the tyres over to create a more even wear spread as motorcycle tyres are front and rear wheel specific.   You can help to reduce the chances of cupping by keeping your front forks and suspension correctly adjusted and in good condition.  Also make sure your wheels are correctly aligned as if this is wrong it could cause cupping.  Try to avoid harsh braking whenever possible as this causes the tyre to grab and wear excessively on one direction.
 

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