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TIRE PRESSURE AND INFLATION
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Always keep the motorcycle
manufacturer's recommended air pressure in both tires. This is an
important requirement for tire safety and mileage. Your motorcycle
owner's manual will tell you the recommended cold inflation pressure.
On some motorcycles, the recommended front and rear tire pressures
will be different. Your local motorcycle dealer will be able to
point this out to you.
| Riding
on tires with too little air pressure is dangerous. Your tires
will get overheated. This can cause a sudden tire failure that
could lead to serious personal injury or death. |
Under inflation may also: 1) damage the tire leading
to tire failure. 2) adversely affect vehicle cornering. 3) reduce
tire life. 4) increase fuel consumption.
| Riding
on tires with too much air can be dangerous. The tires are more
likely to be cut, punctured, or broken by sudden impact. Serious
personal injury or death could result. Consult your owner's
manual for the recommended inflation and other tire information. |
Never inflate a tire unless it is secured
to the motorcycle or a tire-mounting machine. Inflating an unsecured
tire is dangerous. If it bursts, it could be hurled into the air
with explosive force resulting in serious personal injury or death.
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| In order
for your new tire(s) to provide optimum performance, tires should
be ridden very cautiously for the first 100 miles in order for the
tread surface to be "Scuffed-In" and work properly. Directly
after new tires are mounted, sudden acceleration, maximum braking
and hard cornering must be avoided. This will allow the rider to adjust
to the "Feel" and handling characteristics of the new tire
and for the new tire to be "Scuffed-In" correctly in order
to achieve optimum grip level. |
TIPS FOR SAFE TIRE INFLATION
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- Check your tire air pressure at least once a month and before
long trips. Be sure to use an accurate pressure gauge.
- Check your air pressure when the tires are "cold."
The tires are "cold" when your motorcycle has been ridden
less than a mile at moderate speed or after being stopped for
three or more hours.
- If you must add air when your tires are hot, add four pounds
per square inch (4 psi)(28 kPa) above the recommended cold inflation
pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tire is cold.
- Never release air from a hot tire in order to reach the recommended
cold tire pressure. Normal riding causes tires to run hotter and
inflation pressure to increase. If you release air when your tires
are hot, you may dangerously under inflate your tires.
- If your tires lose more than two pounds per square inch (2 psi)(14
kPa) per month, the tire, the valve, or wheel may be damaged.
Consult your local dealer for an inspection.
- Use valve caps to keep valve cores clean, clear of debris and
to help guard against air leakage.
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| Riding
your motorcycle in an overloaded condition is dangerous. Overloading
causes excessive heat to build up in your tires. This can lead
to sudden tire failure and serious personal injury or death
while the tire is overloaded or at some later date. |
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- Consult your motorcycle owner's manual for
the motorcycle load limits and proper tire inflation that applies
to your motorcycle and tires.
- Never exceed the maximum load rating stamped
on the tire sidewall of your tire or the maximum vehicle load
rating, whichever is less. Before a trip, determine the total
weight of luggage, equipment, and rider(s) to be added to your
vehicle.
- Never exceed the accessory restrictions and
motorcycle load capacity found in the owner's manual, or the maximum
load molded on the sidewall of the tire.
- Pulling trailers behind your motorcycle is
not recommended by Bridgestone/Firestone as trailers may contribute
to motorcycle instability and overload.
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| Riding
on damaged tires is dangerous. A damaged tire can suddenly fail
causing serious personal injury or death. Have your tires regularly
inspected by your local dealer for damage. |
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TIPS FOR SPOTTING DAMAGED TIRES
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- After striking anything unusual in the roadway,
ask your local dealer to demount the tire and inspect it for damage.
A tire may not have visible signs of damage on the tire surface.
Yet, the tire may suddenly fail without warning, a day, a week,
or even months later.
- Inspect your tires for cuts, cracks, splits
or bruises in the tread and sidewall areas. Bumps or bulges may
indicate a separation within the tire body. Have your tire inspected
by a qualified tire service person. It may be necessary to have
it removed from the wheel for a complete inspection.
- Inspect your tires for adequate tread depth.
When the tire is worn to the built-in indicators at 1/32nd inch
(0.8 millimeters) or less tread groove depth, or the tire cord
or fabric is exposed, the tire is dangerously worn and must be
replaced immediately.
- Inspect your tires for uneven wear. Wear on
one side of the tread or flat spots in the tread may indicate
a problem with the tire or vehicle. Consult your local dealer.
- Inspect your rims also. If you have a
bent or cracked rim, it must be replaced.
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