How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last?

The motorcycle engine is considered to be the heart of the bike. It makes the most effort as you operate a motorbike and keeps the bike running. However, one thing that takes the most beating and is directly in contact with the terrain is the motorcycle tires. This is the reason why the question: “How long do motorcycle tires last?” is a very common one asked by many riders.

Most bikers don’t know how often to replace motorcycle tires and keep on riding with the same tires. If there are signs of extreme wear and tear on your motorcycle tires, it is unsafe to continue riding your bike. It also degrades the motorbikes’ performance.

While riding a motorbike, you hope and pray that you never fall off your bike. This is not only for your safety but also to avoid expensive repairs and replacements in case you experience a motorcycle crash. However, motorcycle tires constantly remain in contact with the ground whether you are riding a bike or not.

Due to this reason, motorcycle tires are prone to wear and tear early. Depending on the terrain, riding conditions, and what type of motorbike you ride, the motorcycle tire lifespan can vary. Continue reading this article to learn in detail how long motorcycle tires last and how often to replace them.

On average, motorcycle tires can last somewhere between 3,000 to 15,000 miles. As you can see, the motorcycle tire lifespan can vary greatly depending on many factors, which we will discuss later in this article. However, there is no hard and fast rule; if you observe many cracks and high wear and tear on your motorcycle tires, you must replace them regardless of how old they are.

For those who don’t know, the front motorcycle tire lasts longer than the rear tire. This is mainly because the rear tire is attached to the engine via transmission and final drive. Motorcycles have rear wheel drive system. The engine power is usually transferred to the rear wheel. Therefore, there is more pressure and friction on the rear tire than on the front tire. Hence, the rear motorcycle tire wears out earlier than the front bike tire. The rear tire may also require earlier replacement before the front tire.

Regardless of the mileage, what motorcycle you ride, and how often you ride, it is generally recommended to replace your motorcycle tires every 6 years. It is not safe to continue riding the bike with the same tires after this duration.

The age of motorcycle tires is the most common reminder for bike riders regarding when to change motorcycle tires.

Motorcycle tires are softer than tires installed in other vehicles. The major reason why motorbike tires are softer is because a bike is supposed to lean into corners.

Apart from being softer, bike tires are also slimmer than other vehicles’ tires to avoid falling off on one side while turning a corner.

Due to being softer, motorcycle tires’ rubber deteriorates earlier than other vehicles’ tires. This leads to early wear and tear, inflated tires, and blowouts.

The type of motorcycle also has a huge role to play in determining when to replace motorcycle tires. Firstly, it is because different motorbike tires are made from different compounds and designs. For example:

Sport bike tires are smoother and softer than other motorcycle types. It is because they are ideally designed for paved roads or race tracks. Sport bike tires usually wear out quicker than other motorcycle types, like cruisers and touring bikes. Also, if you love to do burnouts on your sport bike, your bike tires will end up soon.

Sport bikes are also built to ride aggressively. These bikes are designed for harder acceleration, braking, and cornering, putting more stress on tires and resulting in early wear and tear.

On the other hand, installing motorcycle tires on cruisers and touring bikes is harder, ensuring a longer lifespan.

No, off-road tires wear out quicker than street tires. It is majorly because they are softer than street tires to ensure better grip and traction on multiple terrains and riding conditions.

Off-road tires also undergo more early wear and tear due to overcoming harsh riding conditions, bumps, obstacles, logs, and other elements. To ensure reliability, good off-road tires are made tougher so they can last longer and withstand harsh riding conditions.

However, if you do more off-roading than usual, you will be required to replace your off-road motorcycle tires sooner than usual.

Extreme temperature, especially when it is too hot, can cause your motorcycle tire to wear out quickly. In extra hot weather, motorcycle tires tend to lose air pressure fast. When you ride your motorcycle with low air pressure in your bike tires, they tend to get punctured. This is the major reason why you must never park your motorbike under the sun.

When it is too cold, motorcycle tires become stiffer than usual. It not only causes motorcycle tires to wear out early, but it also reduces motorcycle performance, including reduced traction, resulting in motorcycle crashes and sliding.

Also, the air contracts when the temperature drops below a certain level, causing motorcycle tires to lose air pressure. Cold is, therefore, bad for bike tires.

Most bike riders are seen neglecting their motorcycle tires. Due to poor maintenance of motorcycle tires, they tend to wear out earlier.

If your motorcycle wheels are not properly aligned, it can also result in early motorcycle tire wear.

Carrying too much weight on your bike can also result in the early wearing of motorcycle tires. It puts too much pressure on your tires, and as a result, they start losing air pressure. The friction between tires’ surfaces and the ground also increases, resulting in more wear and tear.

When to Replace Motorcycle Tires? Apart from the recommended motorcycle tire lifespan of 6 years, there are several other indications/signs of motorcycle tire wear that tell when you should replace your bike tires. The below indications/signs mean there is a problem with your motorcycle tires, and you must consider replacing them:

• Your motorcycle tires often lose air pressure more than usual.

• Your motorcycle tires get punctured more frequently.

• If your motorcycle tires are unhealthy and need replacing, it will make the ride unstable.

• The handling of your motorbike also changes if it has worn-out tires.

• You will start to feel abrupt sensations while cornering or applying brakes on your motorcycle.

• The treads on your motorcycle tires become less visible as they age.

• Low motorcycle tire tread depth means your bike tires require changing.

• The motorcycle tires’ surface becomes flatter as you ride more aggressively over time.

• The motorcycle performance will drop if the tires are about to expire.

• The bike doesn’t accelerate properly.

• The motorcycle’s fuel economy also drops if the tires are worn out and need replacements.

• When cracks start to appear on your motorcycle tires, it is time you should consider replacing them.

The age of a motorcycle tire can be checked by the Department of Transportation (DOT) code inscribed on the tire’s sidewall. The last four digits mentioned on the motorcycle tire’s sidewall indicate the number of weeks and year when the tire was manufactured. The first two numeric digits represent the week number and could be something between 0 to 52. The last two digits of the code inscribed on the motorcycle tire’s sidewall represent the year in which the tire was manufactured.

There are many motorcycle tire brands and models, but the most preferred, premium, and longest lasting motorcycle tires are:

• Dunlop Roadsmart IV

• Dunlop Roadsmart III

• Michelin Road 6

• Michelin Road GT6

• Michelin Commander II

• Pirelli Angel GT

Other top motorcycle tire brands and tires that last longer than usual are:

• Metzeler Roadtec 01

• Bridgestone Battlax T32

• Continental Road Attack 4

• Shinko 016 Verge 2X

Normally, if the biker or the mechanic is skilled and experienced, it will take no more than around 7 minutes to replace the motorcycle's front tire. Similarly, an experienced rider or mechanic can replace the rear tire in no more than 10-15 minutes, depending on the type of motorcycle.

If the same task is to be done by an inexperienced rider or mechanic, it can take as long as an hour or more to change motorcycle tires.

Also, if the motorcycle tire replacement also includes wheel balancing, it can take longer. If you aren’t familiar with it, learn how to balance a motorcycle tire by yourself.

Motorcycle tire replacement can cost around $150-350, including the new tires and labor costs for replacements. The motorcycle tire replacement costs vary depending on the motorcycle tires’ type, brand, quality, and performance. The cost of replacing motorcycle tires can also vary depending on the type of motorcycle you own and ride.

Motorcycle tires do not last longer than tires of cars and other vehicles. This is mainly because bike tires are built differently. Motorcycle tires are quite softer than car tires because they are made with softer rubber material. It is to ensure better road grip and handling performance, especially while cornering.

The softer motorcycle tires allow riding the bike at a specific angle while cornering. However, due to being softer, they tend to deform and wear out quickly.

Also, motorcycle tires tend to have a smaller contact area with the ground compared to cars and other vehicles, which puts more stress on bike tires. There is a thin area or point on motorcycle tires where the whole bike’s weight is centered, leading to early wear and tear.

On the contrary, tires installed on cars and other vehicles are made of harder rubber. They also tend to be wider with a bigger contact patch or area. Also, cars do not require leaning while turning corners.

The 14 year old motorcycle tires are considered unsafe even if they seem to be okay from their appearance. Most motorcycling experts suggest replacing motorcycle tires every 6 years, no matter how many miles the bike has been ridden. It is wise to change motorcycle tires every 6 years to avoid sudden loss of control while riding.

There are more chances of motorcycle sliding and skidding to one side if you are riding a motorbike with 14 year old bike tires. It is unsafe to ride a motorcycle with compromised handling and cornering abilities due to old tires.

In case your motorcycle skids or slides to one side, you must know what steps to take to get control of your bike. Read the attached article to learn how to avoid and control a motorcycle skid.

Dunlop tires are considered to be one of the most reliable and good tires for motorcycles and other vehicles. They are quite effective in ensuring good handling, performance, and cornering. Dunlop tires are widely known for their top quality and high performance. There are a variety of options currently available for Dunlop tires, ensuring top performance in all weather and riding conditions.

According to most users and reviews, Dunlop motorcycle tires can last 3,000 to 15,000 miles, depending on the nature of motorcycle use and tire type. If you maintain them well, they can last longer.