If you have an existing set of motorcycle tires or looking to replace them, you need to know how long certain brands last before paying for them.
Unlike car tires, motorcycle tires have a different life span and are designed for the best performance and durability. But, how long exactly do motorcycle tires last? Here’s what I discovered.
How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last?
Motorcycle tires will typically last between 3,000 to 25,000 miles (4,800 to 40,000 km) depending on the tire type, riding style, weight, and performance of the motorcycle. Rear tires wear out three times much faster than the front ones; therefore, the front tires last longer. On average, motorcycle tires should last for five years.
Read on for more information about motorcycle tires, how long they last, when to replace them, and why they wear out fast!
How Many Miles Should Motorcycle Tires Last?
On average, motorcycle tires last about 3,000 miles to 25,000 miles depending on different factors.
While this is a common question among motorcycle owners, very few motorcycle tires go beyond 25,000 miles, according to a riders’ poll.
Compared to car tires that can last up to 80,000 miles, motorcycle tires wear out faster because they are engineered differently.
Additionally, the variation in mileage depends on the tire brand, road conditions, performance of the motorbike, riding habits, and the total weight on the bike.
You could easily destroy your sport motorcycle tires in 100 miles on a track day; therefore, there’s no definite mileage.
For instance, lighter touring bikes can last about 9,000 to 15,000 miles, while the sports tires on a high-performance street bike wear out faster and typically last between 1,500 to 5,000 miles.
Keep in mind that you can get fewer or more miles depending on the different circumstances.
Why Do Motorcycle Tires Wear Out So Fast?
As a first-time motorbike owner, you might be surprised at how fast the tires wear out, especially if you also own a car.
Many riders also raise concerns about why the rear tire wears out faster than the front tire.
Motorcycle tires wear out faster because they are engineered differently. They are made from stickier and softer rubber compounds, which tend to wear out faster.
When comparing the different motorcycle tires, the touring ones are much harder; therefore, they will wear out more slowly than the softer sport motorcycle tires.
Here are some factors that affect how fast motorcycle tires wear out
Tire Design and Compounds
Compared to car tires, motorcycle tires will wear out faster because of their design. Manufacturers design them with a curved profile which allows the motorcycle to lean when it turns.
Because of this, the tires have a smaller contact area with the road than a car, which translates to less traction and grip.
Additionally, the ride will be less stable because you are moving on two wheels rather than four wheels.
However, motorcycle tires are still made from rubber that allows the bike to move without any problems. Because the tires are softer and stickier around the rims, they are safe for a motorcycle.
Type and Performance Of The Motorcycle
More powerful motorcycles are heavier and will eat up the tires much faster than light touring tires.
If your motorcycle carries heavy objects or passengers all the time, the weight will make the tires wear out much faster.
Since most of the weight is usually on the rear tire, it explains why it wears out faster than the front one.
Riding Habits
Typically, your driving habits will affect how many miles you get out of your tires. If you are more aggressive, the fewer miles you get.
The tires will not last for long if you are constantly doing burnouts, wheelies, and swerving at high speeds.
Long highway drives that are quiet and smooth will have you using your tires for much longer.
Road And Weather Conditions
If you mostly drive on concrete roads and rough terrain, your tires will go down much faster; however, you’ll get more miles out of your tire if you are on smooth highways.
In warmer climates, the hot temperatures heat up the tires and could lead to a shorter lifespan.
Age Of Tire
Motorcycle tires are expected to last five years; therefore, if you use your set past this period, you might start experiencing issues with the rubber compounds, which become hard and brittle with time.
Tire Maintenance And Care
Your tires will wear out depending on the way you maintain them. If you leave your tires idle for too long, they could develop flat spots or become exposed to harmful substances that can cause the tire to dry rot.
To take care of the tire, you should maintain the correct air pressure, conduct visual checks, take them for wheel alignment, and store them properly.
How Often Should Motorcycle Tires Be Replaced?
Motorcycle tire manufacturers recommend that tires should be replaced after five years because the rubber compounds are damaged at this point.
However, with proper storage and maintenance, some riders have used their tires beyond this period, but they should not go beyond ten years for safety purposes.
Companies such as Dunlop recommend that if your tire has been in use for more than five years, it needs to be constantly inspected by a professional annually.
After ten years, the tires need to be replaced even if they look serviceable or are within the legal limit.
Age is not the only determinant when replacing tires. You should also constantly inspect the tire for cuts, cracks, holes, tread depth, and tire pressure.
To check the age of the tire, look for the DOT serial code on the tire sidewall. This code has the week and the year manufacture, which tells you how old your tires are.
Additionally, it would help to carry out a tread depth to confirm that it’s within the legal limit. You can use the penny test for this; if the depth is below 2/32”, it means the tire is worn out and needs to be replaced.
Should You Always Replace Both Motorcycle Tires?
As stated, the rear tires tend to wear out faster than the front tires. Therefore, most riders always ask whether one needs to replace both or just the one that’s worn out.
You should only replace the tires that are worn out, or the tread depth is below the legal limit. However, if you notice any damages to the other tire, it’s advisable to replace them both.
Additionally, if both tires are over five years, it’s better to change them both so that your bike can be stable.
On the other hand, if you switch brands, change both of them because different brands will not perform the same and make riding pretty difficult.
How Long Do Dunlop Motorcycle Tires Last?
Dunlop tires are known for their high mileage and can go up to 25,000 miles. However, some riders report that they got lower mileages than this.
According to the company, the tires should be replaced and constantly checked after being in use for five years.
How Long Do Continental Motorcycle Tires Last?
Continental designs tires to be used by motorcycles such as Continental ContiMotion. With this sport touring tire, you can get about 20,000 miles.
Just like other motorcycle tires, these require proper care and maintenance to reduce the wear-out rate. They should also be replaced after five years or before if the tires start wearing out.
How Long Do Michelin Motorcycle Tires Last?
According to Michelin themselves, their motorcycle tires should be checked by a professional mechanic after being in use for five years and replaced if worn out. Additionally, after ten years, they should not be used again on the motorbike.
On average, these tires last about 25,000 miles if properly taken care of.
To know more about motorcycle tires, you can also read our posts on how long do Harley tires last, if you can plug motorcycle tires, and flat spots on tires.
Conclusion
Motorcycle tires can last an average of 3,000 to 25,000 miles. This wide range in mileage results from the different factors that affect how fast these tires wear out.
Tire manufacturers recommend that a tire professional should constantly check your motorcycle tire to determine whether it should be used further after five years. However, after ten years, it should be replaced because the rubber compounds have reached their limit.
Your tires will last for longer depending on your riding habits, road and weather conditions, type and performance of tires, and age. Therefore, you should ensure you maintain your tires properly if you want them to last longer.