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Can motorcycle
tyres be repaired? »
Are speed ratings
important? »
Can I mix tyres? »
When is the best
time to test tyre pressures? »
Can a front tyre
be used on the rear? »
Do new tyres need
to be run in? »
Can I fit a wider
tyre on my motorcycle? »
Do I need to replace
the valve when I change the tyre? »
Do I have to use
the tyres recommended in my handbook? »
Should my new
tyres be balanced? »

CAN MOTORCYCLE TYRES BE REPAIRED?
Motorcycle tyres have to be repaired within the limits
of British Standard BS159F. Unfortunately, this does
not allow repairs on tyres with a Z speed rating or
above. Most of todays sportsbikes of 600cc upwards are
all fitted with Z or W rated tyres, therefore, these
cannot be repaired within the British Standards. A temporary
repair can be carried out to get you home or to a local
garage, but the tyre would have to be replaced, the
use of sealants is not recommended by tyre manufacturers
and their use voids any warranty on the tyre.
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ARE SPEED RATINGS IMPORTANT?
Yes. The speed rating of a tyre is in relation to the performance of the motorcycle,
therefore the correct rating has to be fitted in accordance with the motorcycle manufacturer's
recommendation. Failure to do so could and probably would void any warranty or insurance claim.
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CAN I MIX TYRES?
Yes and no. It is a good idea to keep front and rear tyres a matched pair. All tyre manufacturers
recommend this as the performance parameters from different manufacturers are different.
You can mix say a BT56 front with a BT57 rear. These are both Bridgestone tyres but with
slightly different characteristics, in laymans terms the 56 is grippier than a 57, and the
grippier tyre always goes on the front, this is an OK mix. A Bridgestone rear and a Dunlop
front is not agood mix.
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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TEST
TYRE PRESSURES?
Always check tyre pressures when the tyres are cool. Hot air expands inside a hot tyre giving
you different readings. Always consult your handbook for correct pressures and adjust for two
up riding or sustained high speed use if recommended in your handbook.
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CAN A FRONT TYRE BE USED ON
THE REAR?
Most tyres are made for either purely front or purely
rear use. However some manufacturers produce tyres to
fit either front or rear, but these have directional
arrows on the sidewall for front or rear use. If a tyre
is made for front use only, then you cannot put it on
the rear and visa versa for rear use.
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DO NEW TYRES NEED TO BE RUN
IN?
Yes. When new tyres are fitted they must be run in for approx. 100 miles with no excessive
accelaration or braking, they should then be checked for correct seating on the rim and the
tyre pressures checked. New tyres are slippy. Ignore this at your peril. Unfortunately we
have had customers in the past who have ignored this advice and have fallen off their bike
within five yards of our workshop entrance. You have been warned!!!
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CAN I FIT A WIDER TYRE ON MY
MOTORCYCLE?
It is not a good idea, unless it is recommended by the motorcycle manufacturer,
or you have changed the wheels. Fitting a wider tyre on the same rim often deforms
the natural profile of the tyre and can therefore cause adverse handling problems.
Also, a larger tyre on the rear of a bike can slow the steering down.
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DO I NEED TO REPLACE THE VALVE
WHEN I CHANGE THE TYRE?
Always replace the rubber snap in valve for deterioration and if in doubt then replace it,
always using the correct type and with an air tight metal valve cap.
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DO I HAVE TO USE THE TYRES RECOMMENDED
IN HY HAND BOOK?
Some motorcycle are very sensitive to different tyre combinations, however, the tyre
manufacturers test their tyres on most models of superbike and normally can recommend
a fitment for your particular model. If in any dobt then contact your local dealer,
not the bloke down the pub.
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SHOULD MY NEW TYRES BE BALANCED?
Yes. Although tyres are made to very fine tolerances,
there is nearly always an imbalance between the new
tyre and the rim. An unbalanced wheel can cause irregular
wear and vibration.
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