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Motorcycle Tire Change Tips

Aug. 26 2022 Ownership Tips By Hideout Harley-Davidson

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As the first line of defense between your motorcycle and the road, tires are the foundation of your bike. If they are neglected, they can lead to massive problems. While your tires give you traction, cushioning, and support, a worn-down tire can blow out, which will almost certainly lead to an accident. It’s best to stay one step ahead and take care of your tires. This resource will hopefully provide a little bit of knowledge about knowing when it’s time to change motorcycle tires and how to replace them.

How to Know it’s Time to Change Your Tires

Motorcycle tires have much shorter lifespans than car tires. You can look at the tread of the tire on some models. Sports bike tires generally have a feature known as a “wear bar,” which is a bar that extends across the gap in the tread. When your tires are enough that it’s time to change them, this bar will become exposed and will intersect with the tread. It will look like there’s still plenty of tread left, but this is the point when you begin to push the limits on how many miles can be gotten from a tire.

How to Change the Tire

Assuming you have all the necessary tools, changing a motorcycle tire is not difficult. Here are the steps:

  • Park your motorcycle on a level surface and put the kickstand down.
  • Loosen the lug nuts with a wrench before you jack up the bike. This will make it easier to remove the tire later.
  • Place the jack under the motorcycle frame and raise the bike until the tire is off the ground.
  • Take off the old tire by removing the lug nuts and pulling it away from the wheel. You may need to use a tire iron to pry it loose.
  • Put the new tire on the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts to hold them in place.
  • Lower the motorcycle to the ground and tighten the lug nuts with a wrench.
  • Test ride the motorcycle to make sure the new tire is installed correctly.

Get Professional Help from Our Service Department

Don’t let your tires get worn past their reasonable limit. Instead, stay ahead of the game by taking your bike to the professionals. The experts at Hideout Harley-Davidson® can help you determine if a tire replacement is the best option for you or not. Our service department will be more than happy to quickly address any issues so that your bike is always ready to ride!

Get in touch with us today at our dealership in Joplin, MO. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Springfield, MO, and Rogers, AR.