How To Tell If You Need To Replace Your Motorcycle Tires | MC Garage

Your tires are the only things connecting your motorcycle to the road, so it’s critical that they’re in good condition. Do you know what factors determine when a tire is toast? In this video from the MC Garage, Senior Road Test Editor Ari Henning will explain the three main reasons your tires might need to be replaced.
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Tread, sidewalls, beads, tires appear pretty simple, but there’s a lot going on under that smooth black exterior. Your tires are the only things connecting your motorcycle to the road, so it’s critical that they’re in good condition. You already check your tire pressures regularly (you do, don’t you?), but how often do you inspect your tires to make sure they’re roadworthy? And do you know what factors determine when a tire needs to be replaced?
In this guide from MC Garage, we explain how to tell if your tires need to be swapped out for fresh rubber. Wear is the most common reason, but damage and age can also be grounds for replacement, and we provide examples of each scenario. Knowing how to inspect your tires and replacing them at the right time is critical to both safety and performance, so get educated!
Check The Wear And Wear Pattern On The Tire
Wear is one of the most common reasons to replace a motorcycle tire and it is the simplest to diagnose. Some tires are marked with the letters TWI (tread wear indicator) and if it is flush with any part of the tire, then it is time to get a new one. Also, within the tread, there will be bars molded into the tire. When these bars are flush with the outer layer of the tire, it is time to change them.
A simple trick to determine if you have enough tread on your tires costs a cent. Taking a penny, place it inside the tread of the tire. If you can see the top of Abe’s head, then you should be replacing your tire as soon as you can. Even if the tread is not worn to the limit, it might be worn unevenly. The most common type of wear for the rear tire is when it becomes “squared-off,” developing a flat spot in the middle. For the front, look for uneven wear on either side of the tire, which is called cupping or scalloping. While you should replace your front tire ASAP, you should also dial in your suspension settings, or service the system, because scalloping is a symptom of something being amiss with your suspension.
Check For Tire Damage
Although it should go without saying, before every ride you should check your tires for proper inflation and any damage. Any damage to your tires is a cause for concern and could lead to a blowout, which can be catastrophic. If you do have a repairable puncture, go ahead and follow our guide on how to plug a motorcycle tire or how to permanently fix a motorcycle tire. If you need to replace your tire, you can also follow along on our handy how-to replace your motorcycle tire.
Know The Age Of Your Tire
Even if your tires have more than enough tread and there are no punctures or tears, your motorcycle tire may be too old to ride on. Most motorcycle tire manufacturers claim that the lifespan of a tire is around five years because the oils in the rubber will evaporate, drying out and hardening the carcass of the tire. This results in a tire more susceptible to damage and cracking, and losing its grippy properties. Do you know how old your motorcycle tire is? Well, its manufacturer date is molded right into the sidewall, displayed as a four-digit code. The first two digits are the week of the year it was made, with the last two numbers representing the year.
There you have it! If your motorcycle tire has one of the symptoms listed above, it is time to research and shop for a replacement. Remember, your tires are one of the most important parts of your motorcycle, and keeping them properly inflated will help prolong their life. Stay safe!
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[@InvisieMoto]

You can tell how many takes it took to do the intro by how many bites were in the toast...

[@CubanRider]

Haha, I was thinking the same. Great video as usual +Ari Henning.

[@MozzaBurger88]

+InvisieMoto LOL yeah I thought the exact same when I saw the toast =D

[@fernando-sl7qm]

lmao like 5 tries

[@xaviervax]

Hahaha nice!

[@Daniel-ld7xs]

HAHAHAHHA i just saw xD

[@JJovich]

Fun fact: The Dot code can also be three digits, which means the tyre was produced before the year 2000! The new four digit system was introduced after that. If you wonder why that's useful; my brother purchased a CB250 from 1998 that had completely original tyres on it. DOT 498. That means nobody had bothered to chance the tyres on that bike for 22 years! They were OEM. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) One advantage was that at least the rims were still in absolute pristine condition.

[@VeeFour]

that date stamp is a handy tip. good one.

[@oshkoshbjosh986]

yeah great tip!

[@607rocket]

Never realized they had a stamp date, good to know.

[@Praise___YaH]

Here is the Original Semitic Text. HERE is The REAL Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@LividAxis]

@@Praise___YaH bruh

[@oldninjarider5524]

Love MC Garage, great info and how to tips as well as cool tools. I have just found my front tire cupping because it was causing a mild vibration through the handle bars. Watching a previous episode of MC Garage, I learned the vibration could be due to front suspension or tire issues. It was my front tire. I also bought the Chain Slack measuring tool and spiral 360 degree chain cleaner and the rear sprocket/chain alignment tool because of MC Garage. I like to do as much of my own maintenance as possible and you guys do a great job to showing how to accomplish the tasks. Good lighting, clear audio and easy to follow instructions. Thanks again.

[@mnsoans]

Can you please show us an example of a worn tire using the TWI as a reference? I didn't quite understand that bit, sorry.

[@jetter820]

mnsoans no idea what he meant either.

[@friedmule5403]

James Hicks thanks a lot, great explanation, you did just make the video so much better!

[@joetroutt7425]

Just use a penny.

[@bremCZ]

@@jimmyhinkley5762 Tread Wear Indicator, not traction.

[@mrchilled85]

i checked my tyres last night after seeing this video and went and got new tyres today after seeing my tyres are dated 2012 now the ride is a lot better and feels more smooth over all types of asphalt

[@LightModeHelmets]

Awesome video. I didn't quite understand the part regarding the tread wear indicator. I didn't see a triangular symbol on the video. What exactly will we see along the TWI region that you pointed to if our tires have too much wear?

[@LightModeHelmets]

Aha, got it! Thank you for the explanation.

[@asrdni]

I got a used Bajaj Pulsar RS200 year 2018 model. It had the stock MRF front tire on it, while the owner changed the rear tire. It took me 2 slips in the rain, both being totally mentally harming to me (even though my bike is equipped with ABS for front and back), before I realized it needed replacement. Turns out the tire was manufactured in mid 2017 (5 years old and counting). After my first slip in the rain, my other goofy rider friends reassured me that it isn't the tire that was problematic even after they inspected it and even though I complained from it too, cuz they only judged based on tread wear only without giving importance to rubber condition (huge mistake, especially with hard compound tires). Tires can save or end your life.

[@Hawokki]

How can I tell MY tires are toast? Because there are fibers coming out of the rubber. It's very close to explosion.

[@deltasword1994]

Lol I was in the same boat like 2 weeks ago. I was looking at my tires, and thought "Gee, that looks like chord. Guess it's time for new tires."

[@tomanycooks]

this is by far the best moto Chanel. I've learnt so much

[@RevBomb]

You know how your tires are toast....take 3

[@TheBigBorkowski]

+Rev Bomb Same train of thought. No wonder we are friends

[@JonasMielke]

pretty sure that's accurate but pls confirm @mcmg

[@Praise___YaH]

Here is the Original Semitic Text. HERE is The TRUE Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@BananaMana69]

Just changed my tires yesterday. 14000km on a tire manufactured in 2009, don't worry they were only on a 50cc scooter. It feels so much better with new rubber.

[@MadScienceHacksTV]

OMG you look and sound like the guy from athleanx... you're just younger

[@lesternantes8543]

Omg I thought Im the only one that noticed that lol

[@Praise___YaH]

Here is the Original Semitic Text. HERE is The TRUE Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@mattb6646]

Yeah I thought so too... sounding the same is one thing but looking similar too 🤔

[@mattb6646]

@@Praise___YaH what the hell does this religious comment have to do with this comment

[@vintagebikes4215]

Great tips. I had a Honda ST1100 with 8 year old tires, Front and Back tires cupped a bit. Replaced both. The instability in corners with cupped tires present a very real risk to the rider, as you say.

[@grampabadger]

I was once the Parts Manager at a BMW motorcycle shop. I would have old guys come in griping about how quickly the tires on their touring bikes would wear out. I asked one how many miles he had on the tires and he admitted he was trying to get 30,000 miles out of them! Those tires had fabric showing and he was planning to try and make a 500 mile trip on them. I eventually found the BMW specs on tire wear and gave him a copy. He gruffly accepted the paperwork and left. He was back the next morning to get new tires on his LT.

[@garrymaynard9029]

I’m joining in to thank you for your video! I’m getting my licence and my ‘new’ 09 bike is sitting in the garage until I can ride it. I just checked my tires and they are still original! A low mileage bargain had an unexpected surprise. I’ll be getting them replaced. Great tip.

[@astifcaulkinyeras]

You forgot to mention that you should inflate your tires to the PSI indicated in your manual or frame sticker, not to what it says on the tire.

[@MozzaBurger88]

+ryanhayn So true ! What's written on the tire is only the manufacturer's maximum pressure rating that the tire casing can take. Depending on your motorcycle weight and application you should definitely never put max pressure and it varies from bike to bike even with similar tires.

[@cowboyup6744]

@@MozzaBurger88 This is common sense

[@MrSamdabeast]

Yeah you shouldn't be on a motorcycle if you'd even consider that

[@cowboyup6744]

@@MrSamdabeast lmao ikr

[@bremCZ]

@@MrSamdabeast You'd be horrified if you knew how uncommon that knowledge actually is.

[@dmartin23]

It be so corny if they actually featured toast in this epi.........oh....no....there it is

[@BuFFMotO]

Great, now I want toast

[@SURFsUP322]

Very informative video, touched on all the aspects and I actually learned something. Shot thanks!

[@Veeziful]

Bought an FZ-07 back in November and I've been commuting on it regularly since then. I was just wondering how to evaluate the tires so this video is very timely for me :)

[@motosurge]

The nail just had to be in the Supercorsas didn't it. FML.

[@Jin-Ro]

I bought a KTM 640 in 2017 and it had the original factory tyres on dated 2001, same as the registration year. Lots of tread left too, only had about 2,220 miles on it. Needless to say I replaced them pretty sharpish. Turned out it was so incredibly unreliable, even if it was mint condition. Vehicles need to be used or they go to the dogs.

[@bernardomotard]

my tire is on the wires. now i know its time to change it!

[@Thabadthabad]

its only wires man dont change it yet wait untill it gets to the rims

[@friedmule5403]

You can always check if the sparks are flying, if so, it may be time in the near future:-)

[@joetroutt7425]

If it turns into real toast then you can take it off and eat it.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

your supposed to use them till the wires spark on the road tarmac at night!

[@harshabandreddi2632]

what are your thoughts on mismatching tyre brands? and would you recommend always swapping both tyres or just the one you need, since my rear wears out twice as fast as the front.

[@faziwuzy138]

How do i check the wear on my toast though?

[@friedmule5403]

You can always test if it is totally toast.

[@DrUndies]

Best to use a nice fat rear tire.

[@nightmareasmr92]

Crust~Wear Indicator. (Shaped like a toaster}

[@dorson8891]

THE most informative moto channel. MC garage you got yourself a big fan 🙌💥

[@AkaAndyKnuckles]

Good video! I would like to know more about what causes scalloping. Always looking forward to your next video!

[@icaruscomplex5588]

toast said that was take #3 maybe? lol thank you for the great video 7 years later!

[@DrUndies]

I have recently bought a bike cruiser bike and both tires have plenty of tread. However, there are micro cracks in the tire. Also, when I stomp on the rear brake the tire slides instead of gripping...this was my 1st indication something was wrong. My next indication was when the rear wheel slipped out and I did a low side on a relatively slow bend. Some research later.I discover that my tires are very old..more than 5 years and the oils and whatever have dried out leaving the tire rubber very hard. Time for a set of new rubber.

[@doobiescoot554]

I believe cupping on the front can also be due to hard braking. The softer compound will wear out before the harder centre when the tyre compresses. I've just replaced tyres on new gen 3 busa with same problem. Happens to every front tyre on every bike i ride. It's not PSI or suspension. All is checked before ride.

[@darynfalandys6343]

Scalping / chamfered tires and various uneven wear, is not necessarily the bike / suspension or other misc problems. Some tires use different durometer compounds throughout the tread (harder duro center for mileage, softer duro on sides for cornering grip). For these reasons, some tires will not wear perfectly even. BUT do pay attention to the wear as this guy explains. Too worn, replace. Just don't get overly psychotic that you bike has a problem if you see uneven wear...

[@northof-62]

That Motion Pro filler is cool. Ordered one (2024)

[@HastingsKickboxingAcademy]

Amazing simple, straight to the point, perfect video, thank you bro

[@kawahertz]

Great explanations. You saved me money by doing some stuff myself instead of going to the shop. Here is another question that help with used bikes (if you don't mind :) ): Is there any way to predict that you battery is almost dead if you don't know how old it is?

[@neoreso0283]

just had my front and rear tyre replaced today. i notice unusual wabbling when riding and went to a shop for checkup.. suspected caused by bad bearings but no.. it was due to the tyres..

[@voqzmk2]

How can I tell if my tires are toast? *Tire starts burning* Me : oh

[@Robnoxious77]

when they start sliding even on dry roads, when you don’t know why but rain has started to scare you, when cornering feels like falling off a cliff and then wrestling a pig.

[@tnow3961]

Awesome, clear, safe and informative site! good job guys.

[@Jaiswal_Anurag]

thanks for the video.... keep educating..

[@roybatty-]

A quick hack you can use if your tire squares off, buy some compound from Home Depot and round off the tire with a spackle knife. Then spray paint it black and it will look OEM.

[@Dude_Virus]

You dont necessarily need to replace your tyre if it is old, as long as the tread is good and the tires are gripping properly its fine. On my motorcycle I am still using the stock tyres it came with and its been 7 years and 50000 kms. No issues at all.

[@kexsh]

you still alive bro?

[@elinoamrichter162]

@@kexsh if they mentioned something about dry rot, id be more confident in them still being alive lol.

[@DarkRiderMotovlogs]

Great now I want toast! :D Thanks for another great video. I now know what to look for on the tires when looking at bikes.

[@christopherdekonstrukt444]

I'm going to buy the Motion Pro stand and tire irons and change my own tires. My first bike was a Yamaha YZF-R3, now I have a 2017 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec. On the R3 I changed out sprockets, chains, and changed the gear ratio to have more bottom end so changing tires should be within my means.

[@CHIBA280CRV]

You said to replace the tire if it has a plug in it ? That's insane !!!

[@markdavies2163]

No idea about the date thing! Cool video! Thanks :)

[@wssz112]

thanks!!!! yesterday i saw a pair of 5 years+ tires on a brand new motorcycle.

[@171Mirza]

actually my rear tyre became unevenly worn like you showed example on front tire(sides gone), while center still was OK.

[@galehess6676]

The likelihood of flats increases almost exponentially as the tread approaches 2mm and less. Cheap insurance to get a new one with 3mm left if you have the money and sense. For ADV, Shinko 800 series are stupid grippy and save my life every day.. cheap insurance, and the knobs also saved my life once in a hydroplane situation where cars crashed all over the place in front of me, but I had no problems (on the turnpike).

[@newwavepressure6478]

A bro jus watchin for kicks ..wait to see another show on the series on TV killin it man keep up the good work

[@PapaWheelie1]

When it leaks more air than it holds or when people point at stoplights, whichever comes first...

[@JoeGo101]

I learned something :D :D :D

[@cowboyup6744]

Joego101, im a big fan dude!

[@Praise___YaH]

Here is the Original Semitic Text. HERE is The REAL Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@architecture-gawangkalidad4543]

Thank you for this content.

[@TouringDiaries]

Hi Ari, I love your videos. Thank you for sharing so much informative videos. I'm looking for a new IRC tyre, but in India it is available in 1315 stock. That means it is almost 2.5 years old, so is it advisable to get this tyre? And I'm getting a pirelli sport demons of 4814 stock, so which one should I go for. I have a sports tourer and looking for some bias ply good tyres in 140/70 17 section.

[@a.r.t.4611]

Here in New Zealand we get scalping on our bike tires due to the camber on the road; nothing to do with misaligned steering.

[@harley84fly]

I love ur vids. Watching ur vid about changing ur own tyre. I ended up buying two tyre irons and rim protectors and changed my own tyre plus balanced. I prefer to b as independent as possible. Good stuff.

[@harley84fly]

+Ari Henning have u got anything about chains and sprockets? What chain to buy and different sprockets.

[@adaptiveagile]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@RobertSantos-rw8dy]

Thanks Insightful.. front tire shows signs... RnR ASAP

[@us4marine]

Thanks for all tips and advise.

[@touxiong765]

what is the brand of that tire pressure gauge, and how much does it cost?

[@MotorcyclistMag]

It's from Motion Pro, and sells for about $100USD.

[@cubs197]

Motorcyclist Magazine *gulp*

[@bremCZ]

That's overkill for anyone. Even a specialist bike shop would be wasting their money on something like that. I spent my life working for Michelin and Goodyear in the US and Europe. I wouldn't spend more than $20 on a personal guage. Also, get an analogue dial guage, they are the most accurate for the longest time period.

[@djay9220]

You mentioned scalping could be the result of a bad suspension setup. What if you have electronic suspension?

[@erikpetrie637]

My front tire on my bike is definitely cupped or "scalloped" as you would call it. Its not the suspension but it it is due to the fact I use my front brakes 90% of the time. Also has a slight shimmy going over 40 mph.

[@trsskater]

Are you sure your front braking is causing that? Because you shouldn't be leaned that far while braking unless you are trail braking.

[@OKRiderMoto]

I love that you guys had to do retakes of the intro but used the same piece of toast. There are multiple bites on that thing.

[@TheBigBorkowski]

Ari can you do a video about tire wear for track day bikes. I cold cracked my DOT tires recently on a track day and did not know what it was until someone told me.

[@djsmith6247]

I did a ride a few years back in the height of summer. It was close to 40 degrees and we were running a mountain road and I didn’t get home until after dark. The next day I had a look at my bike and centre of my back tire was worn down to the casing. Im pretty sure it was toast.

[@atgatt8381]

+Ari Henning If my tires are worn more on one side than the other, is it true that is because of the convex design of most roads or is there something out of spec?

[@mince69meat]

ATGATT avoid roundabouts

[@torrid94]

Crazy ass good content..love MC garage.

[@jackthehack9255]

Very informative yall; thanks for the help!

[@WilliamsonRidge]

Great info thanks for the video!

[@NewGoldStandard]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@georgem2456]

Is there a difference in wear between Front and Rear tyre? I mean, if I do 9000 miles/15000 kilometers and the Rear tyre is toast, does that mean that the Front tyre needs also replacement?

[@jessiem1218]

Thanks for a very informative video

[@maverickscraziness8691]

How you tell how much pressure is required in your tyre. Supposed you change to an one size bigger tyre?

[@MT--WesleyCrumblebee]

Another great vid. Thanks Ari!

[@trainwithrix2884]

This was very helpful, thanks!

[@dsiz9421]

All my rear tires square off at 2k miles. Never had a slip or anything on my way to 6k. I ride very aggressively.

[@trese0000]

Where can we find that air gauge/pump that you’re using?

[@Turbo44mag]

Good advice!

[@votpavel]

i thought the uneven ware was from roads being built at an angle so the rain water flows away from them?

[@patmclean1951]

so if the cupping of the front tire is caused by poor suspension setup, how is corrected? Your Videos are great learning lots of little tricks. On a side note where does one get vintage tires....I cant find some for a old Kawasaki that I have purchased (the tires are 50 years old...

[@DJMotoVlogs]

So what do you have to fix on the suspension if you see cupping on the front tire?

[@DJMotoVlogs]

+Ari Henning Thanks for the info. My bike is fine so far and the tires and new, I asked so I know what to do if I do see signs of uneven wear in the future.

[@AhmedAli-jg2gu]

Great video in deed, plus i really hope that you would cover drum type brake maintenance/service, cuz ma brake is hard, its need a hard push to slow the bike while the pads are new... i need your expertise... thanks in advance

[@merin999]

Question regarding tire age vs grip. If I can easily two finger squeeze my front brake lever and lock my front tire on a long and low 22 year old Magna on clean dry asphalt do you think my tires have hardened? Front tire is about 4 years old but my confidence is low regarding grip. Dunlop k555 tire has only a hours and miles on it. Is it just to old? Could weak under damped forks contribute to front wheel lock up? My thinking is to buy some racetech springs and emulators and then but a new tire if easy wheel lockup is still a problem. Ari, I really did all your articles and look forward to your opinions.

[@romey-o8934]

Great Vid!

[@41BeachComber]

Good information.

[@inbm2102]

Thanks for the information 👍🏻

[@ELEDUCADITO1]

would you please add a link to the air preassure gauge you are using in this video

[@michaelduk4182]

its funny to see the failed intro's from the bites in the toast. lol.

[@jedigeekbiker]

what causes the squaring on the rear? tyre pressure, or suspension. Bike is riden well through bends

[@oraciocastillo3975]

Great info thanks

[@nickzanetti1912]

holy shit new favorite channel

[@daveyt4802]

Wondering about front tire cupping and what causes it.

[@lukebond431]

I have a horrible unbalanced shaking feeling from front end at high speed. My back tyre is squared off so I know I need a new one would that be the reason? Or would it be bearings or surpention? Also previous owner put a 190/50 on it when stock tyre size is 180/55

[@psychoriderok]

I change my tires when i see the steel wires LOL

[@camranh_royal]

Me too ... not joking

[@busbystandup1337]

You should be cast in any movie Cristoph Waltz is in... as his son, or a younger Christoph

[@SteveOz-zs8tz]

My tyres - Metzelers - don't have TWI markings on them. They have small triangles on the sidewall. And they don't have a date code either.

[@freedomofmotion]

plugs as a temporary fix? never heard that before literally everyone I know sticks them in and continues to ride until the tyre dies.

[@MartinSage]

plug my punctured tread and RIDE BABY. Tire cost too much to toss

[@bremCZ]

Yeah they have been classified as temporary for decades. People have been killed because of them. The main issue is that you don't have to remove the tire to use them so you can have hidden internal damage and then one day it blows out and you're a grill ornament on an oncoming truck.

[@bremCZ]

@@ashtoncap2161 Not exactly. An internal cold vulcanised plug is accepted as a permanent repair by every manufacturer for most of their tires. Only external or hot vulcanised plugs are dodgy.

[@niravbhatia]

mann your vids are fking awesome..very imformative and i always find what i looking for in your playlists...pls keep it up

[@loknlode]

Had a brand new tire with less than a couple hundred miles on it. Had it plugged, rode it that way until it was time to buy a new one several thousand miles later.

[@hoagiesherlin7732]

so how do you stop the front tire from cupping? i thought it had to do with front brake use guess not

[@coriehart6590]

Check to see if you front forks are leaking.i belive if 1 fork is faultly it makes the wheel wobbly a bit which will wear unevenly scolop out the rubber.if no leaks check settings compression and rebound