Ducati Bellevue put on a tire seminar and invited Misty Johnson of Dunlop Tires to share her knowledge and passion for the sport we all love…motorcycling. While we tend to spend money on gear and aftermarket parts on our bikes, we tend to overlook the importance of the two things that keep us anchored (or not) to the road. I don’t know about you, but I love my bikes and to see them sliding down the road due to my ignorance would just devastate me as I am sure it would you too. I know most people would say that tires are expensive, but it is cheaper than replacing parts and pieces on your downed bike and a hell of a lot less expensive than that trip to the ER. I’m not gonna lecture you about this subject, you all know how important it is, but lets just say that it irks me when I see someone spend loads of money on their bike and then cheap out when it comes to tires.
Tire pressure, usage (application) and construction of the tires all play a role in either enhancing or endangering the safety of your ride. Not all tires are created equal and it will matter greatly on what you intend to use those tires for, so do your homework. If you are track riding and want a sticky tire, you are going to get a softer tire which will break down quicker, but you will stick to the asphalt better. If you are looking for longevity and are commuting then a harder tire will give you more miles, but you will give up slightly on the degree of stickiness it provides. Tire pressure also plays a huge role in the safety of your application, so if you don’t know what the suggested tire pressure is for the ones on your bike ask your dealership or check on the forums, but make sure to get the information from a trusted source. Bear in mind temperature can also play a role in the stickiness of your tire and if you plan on trying to rip around leaning off your bike in 30 or less degree(street tires)…don’t, your tires never get warm enough to actually stick to the road and you will chance having a bad day.
I know it’s not sexy to talk about tires, I’d rather talk about the sound of Akro’s and Termi’s, rear sets, levers, cool gear, etc…but tires are important to the safety of our ride and for keeping our behinds upright so it is worth mentioning. The technology is ever changing and the tire manufacturers are using that to their advantage to produce tires that will hold up to more miles, varying conditions and usage. Truth be told tires are the cheapest insurance you will buy for your bike and your body. Hope to see you all out there real soon if you haven’t brought your babies out of hibernation yet…Vixens Ride!
