Tyre safety is important

POLOKWANE – After a teenager broke his arm in a motorbike accident last weekend and the cause of his accident being a burst tyre, Review Bonus spoke to Sapa Yopa Motorcycle Club president, Sarel Nong, on the importance of a biker looking after his motorcycle tyres.

Nong says just as important as it may be that bikers look after the engines of their motorcycles, tyres and tyre pressure is just as important if not more.

“Tyre pressure is the most easily adjusted variable on your motorcycle and also one of the most crucial,” says Nong.

“But the vast majority of us are guilty of neglecting it and, even if we do check it regularly, failing to take full advantage of the benefits adjusting it brings; it can save your life.”

He says bikers should know these five very important things while maintaining their tyre pressure:

• Under inflated tyres are dangerous because they can cause the tyre to come off the wheel or result in slow steering and damage the tyre or wheel.

• Over inflating is just as dangerous as it can lead to less grip on the road surface posing it’s own dangers, the suspension also feels hard, and you hear a lot more noise from the road surface.

• Check tyre pressure regularly – manufacturers suggest once a week and some safety experts say every day is the best way to avoid trouble. Nong says that the checking should be worked out factoring in how often the motorcycle is used.

• Check tyres when they are cold – after a bike’s been sitting for 20 minutes or more. Heating tires up by riding on them can increase pressure by over 10 percent and this will give an inaccurate reading.

• Use your own, high quality gauge – some gauges at filling stations read incorrectly and having your own will ensure that your pressure is perfect every time.

He urges bikers of all ages to look at their tyres at least once a month and then to keep in mind that their tyre groves must also be at the correct dept

riana@nmgroup.co.za