Why do tires wear at different rates?

The final mileage a tire covers in the course of its life depends on 7 major factors:

• Some are directly under the rider’s control: inflation pressure, load carried, vehicle speed, riding style (braking and acceleration).
• Some cannot be controlled and mean that riding style has to be adapted:
• road use: winding roads, type of surface,
• off-road use: nature of the terrain (sand, stones, mud, …), ambient temperature

A single factor may have a not inconsiderable influence on mileage performance; if several factors are combined, wear will be much greater.

The tread is responsible for the greater part of the tire’s grip on the road. As wear progresses, its ability to evacuate water diminishes: this means that speeds have to be reduced on wet surfaces.

Remember to check your tires for wear regularly.

How do you check tire wear?

Wear must always be checked at several points on the tire.

This check can be done using a depth gauge or by observation of the wear indicators on the tread (identified on the sidewall by a symbol when they are present).
If the legal or technical wear limit is reached, the tire must be removed and replaced.

When and how do you inspect tyres?

Tires must be inspected regularly to detect any irregular wear and any damage.
Proceed in the following order:

1. Tread: to detect the presence of foreign bodies, cuts, localised damage or irregular wear
2. Sidewalls: to detect impact damage (pavement, pot hole, etc.). cuts, crazing or abnormal deformation
3. Rim / bead heel zone: to find any traces of friction or damage to the rim.

Any perforations, cuts or deformations visible on the tread, the sidewalls or in the bead zone must be examined thoroughly (both inside and out) by a tire professional. The same applies to any damage to the rim.

In all cases, do not continue to ride on tires showing signs of damage such as distorted or visible bead wires, separation of rubbers or fabrics, damage by fatty or corrosive substances, mottling or abrasion of the internal rubbers resulting from running under-inflated.
Each time the vehicle is inspected, check that the valve caps are in good condition. Replace them in case of doubt.