How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last

One of the most important questions every rider should ask themselves is, “How long do motorcycle tires last?” 

Riding on worn-out or damaged tires can be extremely dangerous, which is why it’s crucial to understand how long your tires will last and to replace motorcycle tires.

It’s important to keep your tires in good condition to ensure maximum safety and performance on the road as a motorcycle rider.

We’ll go over everything you need to know about motorcycle tire lifespan, wear and tear warning signals, and important advice on when and how to change your tires in this guide.

How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last?

It’s not quite possible to give the exact answer to the question “how long do motorcycle tires last?”  But when we ask how far motorbike tires can go, it’s not impossible.

The tire composition, road conditions, riding style, tire pressure, weight, and power of your bike all affect how long a tire lasts.

Front motorcycle tire life is substantially longer than rear tires, This is due to the fact that It usually carries more weight and takes all the power from the engine. It slides much more often too, either while braking or accelerating.

The front tire of a motorcycle can typically last for about 3,700 miles, while the rear tire can last for around 1,800 miles.

It is advised to change your motorcycle tires every five years.

Do Motorcycle Tires Have a Use By Date?

Motorcycle tires do not have a use by date stamped on them, However, they do have a four-digit number stamped on the sidewalls indicating the week and year they were manufactured.

So they do have a birth date that follows the date of first manufacture. 

Depending on the state of storage, most manufacturers advise changing them after 5 to 6 years because they degrade over time.

Tips For Motorcycle Tire Care

Check your Tires

Check your tires, to ensure that the optimal pressure is maintained. Riding with less tire air is dangerous and risky.

Different bikes have different optimal pressures, check your bike’s user manual to know the optimal pressure of your tires and then keep it maintained.

Purchase an Electronic Tire Pressure

Fit in an electronic tire pressure in your bike, It would help you monitor tire pressure and feed this data back to the bike. 

It also lets you know if one or both the tires need air filling, the system will show a yellow warning light on the dashboard to alert the driver.

Use the digital gauge to check the tire pressure

Directly check the air pressure of tires using a digital pressure gauge. It is faster and more efficient compared to an analogue pressure gauge.

Reducing the PSI of your tires

Typically, street motorcycle tires are in the 28 to 40 psi range.

Reduce this motorcycle tire mileage a little to create a softer ride. A tire at lower PSI better conforms more to the ground it is rolling on, also improving grip.

Also Check: anti-fog for motorcycle helmets

Rotate your bike’s tires

Rotating your tires regularly allows wear to be distributed equally among all four, extending the average motorcycle tire life. 

Also, having uniform tread wear may improve traction and handling capabilities, giving you a smoother ride and significantly raising your level of safety.

Signs You Need To Visit a Motorcycle Tire Shop

Here are some signs that you may need to visit a motorcycle tire shop:

• If your tires have a weak area due to any bulges or cracks on the sidewalls, it could result in a blowout and you’ll need to visit the tire shop.
• Uneven motorcycle tire wear may indicate misalignment if you see it, and you might need to see a professional.
• If your motorcycle is vibrating while you’re riding it, you should schedule a visit to a tire shop as it could be a sign of a problem with your tires.
• Your tires may be worn or damaged if you experience traction loss when cornering or applying the brakes.
• If you have a puncture in your tire, it is important to get it repaired  as soon as possible.

How do I know I need new Tires?

There are a few justifications to know if you need new tires.

The Penny Test

The simplest way to check if your tires need replacement, is to place a penny upside down in between the tire thread, if you can see Lincolin’s head, the threads are worn and the tire needs replacement. 

Ordinary Wear

Motorcycle tires lose tread over time, and eventually there’s no tread remaining. If the tread on your motorcycle tires is worn down to the point where the wear bars are showing or the depth is less than 2mm, it’s time to replace them.

For this purpose, use a tread depth gauge. It measures tire tread depth from 0 to 19/32 inches.

Uneven Wear

The middle of the tyre may flatten out if you ride mostly in a straight line. As a result, the bike will turn slowly before dropping abruptly. In this scenario, changing the tires can get the handling back to normal.

Age

Tyres are made up of rubber, with time, rubber oxidizes and finally hardens, decreasing tyre grip and raising the possibility of blowouts. Most manufacturers advise replacing tires that are five years old or older to prevent this.

Punctures and Other Damages

2-3 punctures in your motorcycle tires can be repaired but too many punctures require replacement of the tires

Do I Need To Change Both My Tires?

No, it’s unlikely that you need to change both tires at once. It is so because one’s function is unaffected by another’s. In fact, because it often carries greater weight and uses all of the engine’s power, the rear tire wears out nearly twice as quickly as the front tire. 

Hence, only repair tires that genuinely need changing since, believe me, you don’t want to waste money in this manner.

Also Check: High mileage for a motorcycle

Motorcycle Tires Life Beyond Five Years

It is advised to change your tires in a course of 5 years, if you keep using your tires even if they’re past 5 years usage, your tires would be worn out and will malfunction. however you can ride on tires up to ten years too, according to some manufacturers. 

so Five or ten, then? 

Have your bike’s tires tested annually by a tire expert, even if they still appear to be in good condition to you five years after the date of manufacture, if they suggest that they are in shape to be used, continue using them.

Motorbike tires rarely endure more than ten years. You must change your bike’s tires if they are older than this.

Check the tire’s mileage

When you place a new tire on your motorbike, it’s crucial to keep track of the miles.

You can use this as a starting point to monitor the new life of motorcycle tires. 

Many riders assume that each set of brand-new tires would provide the same amount of mileage, however with time, tire life parameters alter. In assessing their expectations and replacement plans, experienced riders also take into account variables like the number of two-up touring or track-type days they have logged.

How To Read Motorcycle Sizes

So Ready to hit the road with new shoes? I’d tell you, what size do your wheels choose?

Fortunately, you can find all the information you need to determine that on the sidewalls of your present pair of tires.

You might come across some numbers formatted as follows:

115/70 10-51 S

– The number 115 represents the tire’s breadth (in millimeters)

– The aspect ratio (the relationship between height and width) is 70.

– The rim size is 10 (inches).

– 51 is the speed rating.

– S denotes the construction method.

Once you have this information you will be able to search for the correct size replacement tires across different manufacturers.

Cruiser And Touring Motorcycle Tires

Want to know how long do cruiser and touring motorcycle tires last? I got you!

According to Google search, Several cruiser and touring tires have been known to endure well past the ten thousand-mile mark when used as directed and kept in good condition.

Large cruiser and touring bike tires are made to endure both the large weight of these vehicles and the long distances they are designed to travel.

Dual Sport And Off-Road Tires

Dual-sport tires are made to perform effectively on both on-road and unpaved off-road surfaces. They usually have a tread pattern that is more aggressive than the tread on a regular road tire.

A typical dual-sport tire such as The Continental TKC80, burns out completely before the 5k mile mark.

An off-road tire has more aggressive tread on its surface compared to a dual-sport one. According to research, although certain models claim an average mileage of up to 70,000 miles, the average does not go below 40,000 miles.

In order to give off-road tires appropriate performance on all surfaces and trails, a softer rubber formula was employed.

Sport and Performance Tires

Sport and performance tires unquestionably have the lowest useful life of any tire on the market.

you shouldn’t expect to get more than around three thousand miles out of any hardcore performance tire.

They’re made with the softest compounds available to ensure the greatest traction during heavy braking and turns at high speeds, thus mileage is typically at best a secondary consideration.

With tires like the Dunlop Q3+, several sport bike tires manufacturers have embraced “dual-compound” technology, which uses a super-soft compound on the tire’s sidewalls for increased traction while the motorcycle is leaning over and a longer-lasting rubber in the tire’s middle for highway duty.

How Many Miles Do Harley Tires Last?

On average, riders can get 5,000 to 15,000 miles out of their rear-wheel Harley tires, and front-wheel Harley tires last between 9,000 to 25,000 miles.

Typical Harley Davidson’s tires last up to 6 years.

It is made up of around 70% synthetic rubber and the remainder is carbon black (fine carbon powder) and other chemicals to make up the rest of the recipe. With time, the Rubber ages and oxidizes.

How Long Do Dunlop Motorcycle Tires Last?

Dunlop motorcycle tires can cover as much as 15,000-18,000 miles on everything from open highways to twisting back roads, in fair weather or foul weather.

It can last from 5-6 years on average.

Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Wear indicator

The motorcycle tire center wear indicator on the surface of dunlop’s tire, will appear on tire tread surfaces when 0.8 mm (1/32 in) or less of tire tread remains

you can only see these bars of hard rubber when your tire’s tread has become worn. If you can see them, your tires need replacing.

How to check motorcycle tires?

Here are some ways to check your motorcycle tires. 

• Check for punctures and damage
• Check for cracks
• Inspect the tire tread
• Check the age of the tire
• Check tire pressure

How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last FAQs

Wrapping up!

In conclusion, knowing how long motorcycle tires last is essential for any rider looking to ensure their safety and maintain their bike’s performance. 

While tire longevity varies based on factors like riding style, road conditions, and maintenance, it’s generally recommended to replace motorcycle tires every five years or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

By staying vigilant and regularly checking your tire’s tread depth and wear, you can extend their lifespan and enjoy a smooth, secure ride for many miles to come. 

Remember to invest in high-quality, durable tires that are suitable for your motorcycle’s make and model, and always prioritize safety on the road.