Tire pressure (motorbike) safe?

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Seriously? You're a motorcyclist but want to willingly ADD risk to the activity of riding by doing so with a rotten tyre?

Mental.

Buy a new tyre and lose the death wish.

And yes, I ride bikes too. No, I would not ride on a flat tyre.

You didn't read my post (which had lots of detail explaining why I am actually contemplating it) but thank you all the same for your input.

Jackmydad wrote: »

The tyres shouldn't have cracks. If they do they need replacing. They should be inflated to the correct pressure for the machine, and checked with a pressure gauge.
As per the handbook.
Which you do have?

I do have It is 10 miles from home (I'm living with partner now, but need to get it back to family home 10 miles away), but admittedly I probably could get that document. I'm just mindful that its more faffing and I've got 2 weeks to fix it and sort it out.

There's a garage about 0.5 miles away which have a pump. I've never had a flat tyre so don't know whether it is dangerous and, before doing something potentially dangerous, have asked for advice!

And have read?

Nope I haven't read it, because I'd normally just take it to the garage/rely on the MOT for problems.

I do, however, carry out routine checks every time which I learned on my CBT test (been called sad in the past for doing that!) and one of them includes checking the tyres before every ride.... Hence how I came to notice the problem in the first place. Initially thought it was vandalism because of the slashing, but it looked more cracked.

It's not a bicycle where you can "feel" the tyre for pressure. FWIW I check my bicycle tyres with a pressure gauge and bin 'em if they show signs of cracking.

I probably should do that, but I am happy with the level of checking I carry out. It is much more than most people, and I drive safely, so I don't mind But even so, the tyres were fine when I set out and they weren't the day after when I went to leave.

If you're not prepared to learn how to keep the machine in good condition, do the routine checks / maintenance, and / or pay for parts and spares that are needed, then you shouldn't be riding. For your own sake and that of everyone else.

I want to be able to word this in a really polite way, but basically I don't care I drive safe, I look after the motorbike, I pay my tax/insurance, I have a full UK driving licence, I have current CBT tests, I follow the highway code, I regularly check the basics before a ride. That's enough for me! If it isn't enough for you then file a complaint with the universe

docmatt wrote: »

Over on the classic car forum a chap had a 20 year old car with virtually new tyres as he didn't use it much and unfortunately lost it on a corner and crashed.

Anyway he found out that even though the tyres had loads of tread, the oils and binding chemicals dry out and the tyre looses it's flexibilty and in effect is pretty awful.

They say 5 to 7 years max on tyres. Just thought i'd add this in.

Oh right! My tyres are just over 4 years old so it could indeed be that. Certainly a case of getting them replaced at the next possible opportunity. That's what I want to do, but I have to renew tax/insurance/MOT by Oct 1st and just not sure if it can be done in that time...

Thanks for the useful info though!

alanrowell wrote: »

Tire??????

tire
tʌɪə
noun
US spelling of tyre.


tyre
ˈtʌɪə
noun
a rubber covering, typically inflated or surrounding an inflated inner tube, placed round a wheel to form a soft contact with the road.
a strengthening band of metal fitted around the rim of a wheel, especially of a railway vehicle.