When and How to Change Your Motorcycle Tire?

If you ride regularly or daily, your motorcycle tires will wear out. Their condition directly affects handling, braking, and safety. Worn or damaged tires increase the risk of accidents, especially on wet roads. It is therefore essential to know when to change your motorcycle tires and to follow best practices for doing so.

When Should You Change Your Motorcycle Tire?

Several criteria help determine if a tire needs to be replaced:

• Tread wear: each tire has wear indicators located in the grooves. If the rubber reaches this level, it’s time to replace it. On average, a rear tire lasts between 8,000 and 12,000 kilometers, while a front tire can last up to 20,000 kilometers, depending on riding style and type of motorcycle.
• Cracks, splits, or deformations: signs of an old tire. Even if a tire still appears in good condition, it is recommended to replace it every five years, as the rubber naturally loses its grip properties over time.

How to Change a Motorcycle Tire?

Changing a motorcycle tire requires the right tools and some know-how. The first step is to remove the wheel using a workshop stand to keep the motorcycle secure. Then, unseat the old tire with tire levers before mounting the new one. It is important to respect the rotation direction indicated by an arrow on the tire’s sidewall. Once installed, the tire should be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and balanced to avoid vibrations and ensure good stability.

Changing a Motorcycle Tire Yourself?

It is possible to replace your tires yourself, provided you have the necessary tools such as a compressor, tire levers, and a wheel balancer. However, mounting requires precision, and a mistake can compromise safety. Labor costs remain reasonable when done professionally, ensuring proper installation, precise balancing, and therefore longer tire life.

Here is the detailed step-by-step process:

1. Prepare the motorcycle and tools: make sure you have everything you need: a workshop or center stand, strong tire levers, a valve core remover, a compressor or pump, tire lubricant (or soapy water), a cloth, and ideally a wheel balancer.
2. Remove the motorcycle wheel: loosen the nuts or axle, remove the brake caliper if necessary, take off the chain or belt, and slide the wheel out of its axle.
3. Remove the worn tire: fully deflate the tire, break the bead from the rim, and use tire levers to remove it.
4. Mount the new tire: clean the rim, lightly lubricate the tire beads, and install it while respecting the rotation direction.
5. Inflate and seat the tire: inflate quickly so the beads seat correctly, then adjust to the recommended pressure.
6. Balance the wheel: use a wheel balancer and add weights if necessary to prevent vibrations.
7. Reinstall the wheel on the motorcycle: put the wheel back on its axle, refit the chain/belt, and tighten to the recommended torque.
8. Check before riding: verify tire pressure, brakes, and take a short test ride at low speed.

Changing your motorcycle tires is an essential part of maintenance. As soon as wear indicators appear, cracks form, or grip decreases, it is necessary to replace your tires. Even without visible signs, tires should not be used for more than five years. While it is possible to do it yourself, having a professional perform the change remains the best option to ensure reliable installation and optimal road safety.

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