How long do motorcycle tires last?

When you’re in the market to replace your motorcycle’s tires, you want good value. Tire life seems to go hand-in-hand with price.

True value is achieving a satisfying balance between lifespan, performance, price, and safety. To do that, it’s important to understand all the things that affect how long motorcycle tires last.

Consider how these work in concert and contribute in varying degrees to tire lifespan:

• How far you ride: You, like most riders, use mileage as a measure to gauge tire life.

• How fast you ride: Speed creates heat and heat increases the treadwear rate.

• Seasonal maintenance: Correct cold tire inflation helps extend tire life.

• Motorcycle type: Manufacturers design and construct tires to match the bike type. For example, a sport bike will get a softer tire with more grip for aggressive cornering, but a soft tire won’t last as long as a touring bike tire made with harder compounds.

• Riding style: Are you a long-distance freeway cruiser, commuter, canyon-carving sport rider, or dual sport adventurer?

• Road hazards: Stuff happens on the road, like punctures and cuts, that can shorten your tires’ lifespan.

• Road surfaces: Frequent riding on rough road surfaces wears tires faster than smooth pavement.

• The load you carry: A heavily laden motorcycle and two-up riding will wear out a rear tire sooner than a front tire.

• Motorcycle tire construction: Some tires are made to be sticky and provide great grip. Other tires sacrifice grip to get higher mileage.

Before they leave the manufacturing floor, tires are dated. This sets their lifespan in motion. You can determine how old your tires are by checking the Tire Identification Number (TIN) on the tire sidewall. The last four digits tell the week and year of manufacture. For example, 0221 represents the second week of 2021.

A common recommendation by industry insiders is to stop riding on motorcycle tires more than five years old. The new tires you buy, however, could already be a few years old. If you purchase tires from a reputable supplier that stores them correctly, it's potentially safe to ride on them longer.

Some manufacturers will tell you that you can ride on tires until they're 10 years old. So, five or 10? Even if your motorcycle tires look good to you after five years from the date they were manufactured, have them inspected each year by a tire professional. Motorcycle tires never last longer than 10 years. If your bike's tires are older than this, you need to replace them.

Manufacturers cut grooves called rain sipes into street tires to disperse water on the road and provide traction. If you look at the edge of the tread on the motorcycle tire sidewall, you’ll find tread wear indicator (TWI) markings. At the TWI, you’ll find a raised bar across the tire in the rain sipes. When the tread has worn down to be level with that bar, your tires are worn out. Order new ones now.

Make inspecting your tires part of your routine, pre-ride motorcycle safety inspection. Motorcycle tires are vulnerable to wear and abuse from the road surface. Pull over and check your tires if you hit a pothole or run over debris.

Here are some tire defects you need to look for:

• Cracks, fractures, and cuts: Cracks on the sidewalls or in the rain sipes or tread develop when a tire is aging out. Fractures could indicate the tire is failing. Cuts come from impacts on the road. If you see any of these, replace that tire.

• Punctures: Running over a nail or other sharp object can puncture the tire tread. A thin puncture in the tread might be pluggable. View this repair as a temporary solution so you can get to a shop and replace the tire. You cannot repair a sidewall puncture.

• Inflation and pressure: Motorcycle tires need to be properly inflated when cold. Consider the load the bike is carrying when inflating. Riding with a passenger or heavy luggage requires a higher cold pressure. Never exceed the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall.

• How the bike handles: If you notice a change in how your motorcycle handles, it may indicate your tires are wearing out. Abrupt sensations when cornering or braking or vibration on smooth straight pavement are signs of advanced tread wear. Inspect the tires or have a tire professional inspect them.

Don’t leave yourself unprotected if the unexpected happens on your next ride. Review your current coverage and get a free motorcycle insurance quote today.

It's important to record your motorcycle's mileage when you have new tires mounted. This gives you a starting point to track tire lifespan. Many riders expect to get the same mileage from each set of new tires, but tire life factors change over time. Experienced riders also consider factors like logging more two-up touring or track-like days in gauging their expectations and replacement plans.

How you store your motorcycle will also affect how long your motorcycle tires last. Exposure to the sun ages tires, as do temperature extremes and fluctuations. Generally, storing your bike in a garage will lengthen your tires' lifespan. When you bring a motorcycle out from storage, it's time to check your tires' age and perform a careful inspection.

Your motorcycle tires connect you to the road—which is why it's dangerous to try and get the last possible mile out of your tires. When the tread nears the wear marks or looks like it's wearing unevenly, or your tires are showing signs of aging, it's time for a new set.

You have many choices of motorcycle tires. Stay with your motorcycle manufacturer's recommended size and don't mix brands or types on the front and rear. Your best bet is to change both at the same time. A rear tire may wear out first, but a new set will give you better handling and may make your motorcycle feel new again.

Tires are the second-most frequently incurred expense in motorcycle maintenance after oil changes. While quality tires aren't cheap, they're worth it considering what rides on them. To discover more ways you can help protect your bike—and yourself—get a free, quick quote from Dairyland^® today.

Till next time, ride safe!