The tires on your dirt bike are just as essential as a building’s foundation concrete. If you don’t keep them properly inflated, you’ll be at much greater risk for all sorts of riding calamities. Therefore, we recommend this simple advice on how to avoid those dreaded flat tires that take you out of the race unexpectedly.
Basic Tire Maintenance Tips
First, it’s important to remember that your dirt bike is bound to get filthy by accumulating mud from the tracks and trails you frequent. This is especially true of the tires. Therefore, you should begin maintenance with a good cleaning regimen.
It’s also wise to consider which terrains, climates, and other conditions you put your bike through. The more extreme any of those are, the more you’ll need to rotate, re-inflate, and replace bike tires.
How often should you inspect tires? Ideally, riders should check pressure each time before racing.
What is the Proper Tire Inflation Level?
The tire’s PSI level should reflect the manufacturer’s recommendations, but you may wish to make adjustments depending on which type of riding you’re doing.
- Enduro - This generally involves a lower PSI than Motocross racing. Most riders will use about eight to 12 PSI on the front tire, and just a little more on the back one.
- Motocross - Shoot for about 12 to 15 PSI (in both tires) to accommodate all the sharp turns and jumps you might do with your bike.
Finally, inflation specifications will depend on tire size and outdoor temperature (like car tires). Don’t forget that if you under-inflate tires, you’ll either incur a flat or at least experience sluggish handling and performance.
How to Inspect Your Tires?
This involves a careful inspection of both the sidewalls and tread of the tire. You should look for loss of tread, signs of wear and tear, and other damages. Just like with car tires, an older tire may exhibit cracks, uneven patches, cuts, or bulges. It’s also common to find embedded objects such as rocks, nails, or other foreign objects.
Always Select the Right Tires, Too
It’s well worth the money to purchase durable tires, and there are ways to safeguard them against premature damage. Some riders install what are called “tire liners” to protect against punctures. It also helps to carry some tire sealant with you in order to do emergency patchwork if a flat tire occurs anyway.
Learn More About Dirt Bike Upkeep with Colorado DirtBike Info
We’re here to help you succeed and enjoy every facet of dirt biking, especially around our gorgeous corner of the Rockies.
Check out Colorado DirtBike Info anytime to discover the best riding routes, training clinics, and places to rent dirt bikes locally. Our team can also give several pointers on how to keep your bike in top condition all the time. Contact us today to learn more from the pros.
