The Ins and Outs of Changing Motorcycle Tires | JMC Auto

Motorcycle wheels appear to be easily replaceable, but this isn’t true. First and foremost, a motorcycle is not a bicycle - you can’t just lay it on the side or set it on top of something like a rock and get on with replacement. When your motorcycle is due for a new set of wheels, you need special tools like the ones we have here at JMC Automotive Equipment, and maybe some advice.

It all starts with looking at the wheels themselves. Motorcycle wheels are tough, but they’ll eventually hit the end of their days. There is no specific figure for how long motorcycle tires last, but people do find it hard to know whether they need new ones. Sometimes, they’d throw worn but still perfectly good tires, just because they didn’t know if the tires were worn down enough.

Determining if a tire is too worn out to use is easy. One of the first things you have to look for is the tread. Normally, state regulations require 1/32” to 2/32” tread depth to classify a tire as road-worthy. Focus on the tread in the middle of the tire, since this is the area most in contact with the road. Or you can just look at the tires’ wear indicators—raised segments of rubber that manufacturers cast into the tire as an indication of the safest minimum tread levels.

Another thing to look out for is grip. During a ride, see if you can’t feel the tires moving around, or if there’s unsolicited bumps/movement as you roll along. These signs indicate loss of grip, which can be dangerous in the long run. Keep in mind, however, that grip loss happens gradually. If you think your tires suddenly lost grip, don’t replace them yet. Maybe you just have bad technique.

Should you determine that your motorcycle needs new tires, it’s time to get to work. But traditional jacks aren’t ideal for such a job. A big bike needs a bigger lift, and that’s something we provide over at JMC Automotive Equipment. Meant for hardcore enthusiasts, beginners, and uncompromising professionals, our lifts are top-notch and guaranteed to get the job done in style. Contact us today to know more.