Your motorcycle tire pressure is one of the most important factors when you ride. Your tires are affected by tire pressure more than four-wheeled vehicles. Tire pressure and the shape of the tire affects the ability of the motorcycle in handling, turning, stopping and accelerating. If you are an inexperienced rider, having tires with incorrect pressure can create an unexpected disaster. It is equally important for experienced riders. The small amount of contact between your tires and the surface of the road is the only source of traction for your motorcycle. When your motorcycle has the appropriate tire pressures, your motorcycle can grip the road effectively, giving you a smoother and safer ride. Checking your tire pressure frequently is an essential part of maintaining your motorcycle.

Proper tire pressure helps in many other areas such as better handling, cornering and traction. Tires inflated correctly ensure the best possible contact with the road. Under-inflated tires result in a sluggish motorcycle and over-inflated tires can result in an unstable and jittery ride. If your tires are under-inflated your braking distance will increase, and this can lead to accidents. If your tires are over-inflated, it will reduce the tires contact with the road and can compromise braking performance. Correct tire pressure reduces rolling resistance and gives you better fuel economy. Properly inflated tires ensure the tread wears evenly. Under-inflated tires tend to wear out more on the edges, while over-inflated tires wear out more in the center. Maintaining correct tire pressure prevents excessive heat buildup and helps maintain the integrity of the tire's internal structure, preventing premature failure.

When you inspect your motorcycle tires on a regular basis you will prolong the life of your tires, have safer riding experiences and you will help identify potential problems before they get worse. You should always look for visible damage and tire wear before you ride your motorcycle. Look for things such as adequate tread depth on the tire. Look for cuts, punctures, glass, rocks, nails, screws or any foreign objects lodged in the tire. You should also look for tread patterns that appear abnormal and sidewalls that are bulging.

To check your tire pressure correctly, follow these steps: Make sure your tires are cold, meaning they have not been driven on your motorcycle for at least 2-3 hours. Remove the valve stem cap on the tire. Place your tire gauge over the valve stem and press down firmly and read the tire pressure on the gauge and compare it to the recommended tire pressure for your motorcycle. Adjust the tire pressure accordingly and replace the valve stem cap securely. It is always recommended to use a high-quality tire gauge to check your tire pressure. If you use the air hose at a gas station, well, it's any body's guess on how accurate it is. Always double check with your own tire gauge.

There are several types of pressure gauges on the market, but they are not all equal in quality. Common types are pencil, dial and digital gauges. Pencil gauges are inexpensive, but they are not very accurate, and they are difficult to read. Dial gauges are easier to read and are more accurate than the pencil type but are more expensive. Digital gauges are the most accurate and are easy to read in any lighting condition, but they are the most expensive. When purchasing a tire pressure gauge consider the accuracy, precision, readability, size, durability and cost. A good quality tire gauge is a worthwhile investment for any motorcycle owner. Something else to consider, accuracy and precision are not the same thing. Accuracy is how far off the reading is from the true pressure, plus or minus, on any given reading. Precision is the degree to which the gauge can reliably and repeatably measure in units --can it read down to fractions of psi, or a single pound per square inch, or is the smallest degree of precision that can be read on the gauge only to the nearest five pounds psi?

Motorcycle manufacturers go through extensive testing to determine tire parameters and inflation pressure settings based on the specific motorcycle and its intended use. Tire manufacturers have their own testing and performance requirements that depend on pressure to meet their own product expectations. Ultimately, it is the motorcycle manufacturer that establishes the proper tire pressures for optimal motorcycle performance and tire safety. Your motorcycle tire inflation pressure specifications can be found in the vehicle owner's manual. Recommended inflation pressures are specific to the make and model of your motorcycle. Motorcycles, like cruisers and touring bikes tend to be heavier bikes so they run higher pressures due to their weight, rider and cargo capacity. Dirt bikes tend to be much lighter in weight, have reduced load capacity and lower top end speeds, so they tend to run lower pressures.

Tire inflation pressure recommendations for the motorcycle are set so the motorcycle load of the bike, rider(s) and its cargo can be carried safely. Also, so the motorcycle will ride and handle safely--up to its maximum capacity. NEVER over-load a motorcycle beyond the manufacturer specifications. It is unsafe, regardless of whether the tires can handle the additional load. The maximum psi information for any tire can be found on the tire sidewall. This number represents the maximum cold tire pressure the tire can safely handle, regardless of the motorcycle, load or riding style. The max psi should NEVER be exceeded. It can lead to tire failure and compromise safety.

WHAT DO HE NUMBERS ON YOUR MOTORCYCLE TIRE SIDEWALL MEAN?

The markings on a motorcycle tire sidewall provide important information about the tire's specifications. Here is what each part of our example "130/90B16 67V" on a motorcycle tire means:

130: This is the tire's width in millimeters.

90: This is the aspect ratio, which represents the height of the tire's sidewall as a percentage of the tire's width. In this case, the height is 90% of the width.

B: This indicates the tire's construction type. "B" stands for bias-belted construction. If it were an "R" it would indicate radial construction. Never mix tire construction types. If you have a "B" tire on the front, you need a "B" tire on the rear.

16: This is the diameter of the wheel (rim) in inches that the tire is designed to fit. Most tires are rated with a load index and speed rating. This code appears after the size marking and consists of two numbers and a letter or in some cases, two letters.

67: This indicates the maximum load the tire can safely carry. In this example the tire has a maximum load index rating of 677 pounds (303 kg).

V: This letter indicates the maximum speed that is recommended for the tire while carrying a load corresponding to its designated load index. A "V" rating means the tire is rated for speeds up to 149 mph (240 km/h). Never mix speed ratings. If you have a "V" tire on the front, you need a "V" tire on the rear.

Older bikes that were manufactured before speed ratings were common, will not have a rating listed in their manuals or literature. Tire sizes listed with 2.00, 2.25 or 2.50 as the first number (section width in inches) are rated for no more than 75 mph.

Not all manufacturers produce tires in all speed ratings. Understanding these markings can help you choose the right tires for your motorcycle and ensure the tires meet your riding needs.