One of the largest expenses for any type of vehicle is its consumables – or parts that wear out over a period of time and need to be replaced, such as tires. For many bike owners, tires are at the top of the list for maintenance expenses, so getting the maximum life out of them is essential. No matter how tough your motorcycle’s tires may be, unfortunately, no tires are built to last forever. Motorcycle tires can only take a certain amount of use before their lifespan runs out; however, riders are able to do a number of little things to extend their tires’ mileage and ultimately save on tire cost. Read on to learn 5 helpful tips that will help increase your motorcycle tire lifespan.

1. Maintain the right tire air pressure

Performing regular checks to confirm that your tires are properly inflated is a great habit for riders who are looking to further their motorcycle tires’ lifespan. When tire pressure gets low, it generates too much heat that will result in accelerated wear and tear for tires as well as impairing the bike’s handling and traction capabilities. The lower the air pressure gets, the higher the chance of tire structure damage and dangerous riding conditions. It is important for riders to always make sure that their motorcycle tires are inflated to the correct level to remain safe on the road and get the most out of their tires.

2. Keep an eye on your motorcycle tires’ alignment

Proper tire alignment will ensure better handling and also keep a bike’s tires from working against each other and wearing faster – which is why it is crucial to always make sure your tires are aligned correctly. While riders can take their bike to an experienced mechanic to check their alignment, there are also quick and easy ways to check on your own. The majority of modern motorcycles feature factory alignment markings that make it easy for riders to complete this task at home. You can simply take two long straight edges and take a string to loop around the two tires. From there, you will be able to see if the tires are right on their factory alignment marks.

3. Get your motorcycle tires balanced

In addition to alignment, balance is another key player that determines what happens when the tire is rotating against the pavement. A tire’s balance can change over periods of time, so it is important for riders to have it checked after a little breaking in. A good rule of thumb to follow would be to check your tire balance between the 500 and 1000-mile marks.

4. Avoid hard braking

Hard braking, especially when a tire is locked up, is one of the quickest ways to wear out motorcycle tires. While it is always critical to understand how to panic-brake in case of an unexpected emergency, it is also important to keep normal braking as mild as possible to prevent tire damage. In the majority of cases, riders can be confident that practicing soft stops will help motorcycle tires’ lifespan to last longer.

5. Clean with soap and water only

Experts in the industry will tell riders to only ever use mild soap and water to maintain their tires’ appearance. It is highly recommended to avoid using popular protectant liquids that actually remove oils in the tires’ rubber, leading to premature cracking and finish deterioration.