According to Tyresafe , the UK's leading tire safety organization, the number of accidents during 2008 related to defective tires increased 28%. During MoT test (mandatory technical inspection of motorcycles), more than 26,000 tests failed because of faulty tires. That's 75 failures a day!

“The sharp rise in the number of bike accidents being caused by faulty tyres is very worrying and completely unnecessary,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “Tyres play a vitally important safety role for motorcyclists and it is essential that they are properly maintained and looked after. Simple, regular checks of pressure, tread depth and condition could have gone a long way to preventing all of these avoidable accidents. Tyre safety is a year-round activity but it is particularly important for those riders who do not use their bikes all of the time to give their tyres a thorough inspection before they start using them again this spring. They should then make these checks part of their regular routine throughout the riding season.”

“Checking tyre condition, pressure and tread depth is a very quick and simple process,” continues Jackson. “By taking just a few minutes to regularly carry out these checks, riders can significantly improve their safety and reduce their likelihood of being another road casualty statistic. For riders who are unsure about how to carry out the checks themselves they simply need to pop into their local dealer who is supporting bike tyre safety month where they can have the checks carried out for free, by qualified professionals.”

TyreSafe’s top tips for motorcycle tire safety:
Check your tyre pressures from cold at least once a week using an accurate gauge
Inflate tyres to the level recommended in the manufacturer's handbook
Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded into the tread pattern and replace if necessary
Use dust caps to keep dirt away from the valve core and to act as a secondary air seal
If your rims are cracked or bent they should be replaced immediately
Check that your tread depth is not below the legal minimum of 1mm (for bikes over 50cc)
Replace old or damaged valve stems
Select the correct type of tyre for your machine and riding style
Check that both tyres fitted to the bike are made by the same manufacturer and have the same tread pattern
Make sure that your tyre has been fitted the right way round by checking the directional arrows on the sidewall
When replacing tube type tyres always use a new inner tube
Make sure your tyre/wheel assembly is balanced correctly
Keep oil and grease off your tyres using detergent if necessary
If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your bike to an approved fitting center and speak to the experts.

Boa viagem

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LRocha