Motorcycle tires can also lose air pressure because of a faulty valve, a bent rim, worn tires such as bald spots or cracks, or because a small hole was punched through it. link to Here's How To Check If A Motorcycle Engine Is Stolen. Accessing that inner tube is almost impossible unless you have a tire mounting machine. I will list them here, with a brief summary of how to stop a tubeless tire from leaking. It’s easiest to have the tire off the motorcycle but is doable if it’s still attached, you’ll just have to pay closer attention. Though not as common, a faulty valve can also cause a motorcycle tire to lose pressure. I’ve had my fair share of tires that mysteriously get low on pressure and this article will explain everything I’ve learned as to why it happens and what you should do about it. Knowing the difference between normal air pressure loss and what’s considered too much may help you be a bit safer out on the road. Since there’s not that many places for sealant to escape, you will run into 2 types of leaks. Less control of the motorcycle means you have an increased chance of getting into some sort of accident. This will help indicate if a bent rim is the problem; similarly, a faulty valve will also bubble if there’s a leak coming from there. Do you ever hear strange sounds coming from your motorcycle and wonder if it is trying to tell you something? The first and most common reason a motorcycle tire loses pressure is because of temperature changes outside. Sealing your tires is not a permanent solution to repairing punctures; you should have your tire repaired at the next repair station. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Your Leaking Tire has been Repaired. You'll need three "tire irons" to pry your tire off the rim. There are several reasons that would cause a motorcycle tire to lose air pressure. With the exception of punching a hole in the tire by running over an object, or jumping the curb at the mall, tubeless tires generally hold up well. It's always good practice to... My name is Kyle Cannon and I love everything about motorcycles. It’s best to start at holes that were previously mended as those have a higher rate of failing after a while. This can compromise your tire and the belt might end up letting go and cause the tire to shimmy. The first thing to do if you notice a nail in your tire is do not touch it. You don't have any idea what sort of damage the nail has done to the tread. Motorcycle Tire Tips For Not Often Leaking Through Simple Methods which can be applied in all types of motorcycles such as Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and others. This is usually due to it being incorrectly connected to the tube canal (which would probably be a manufacturer problem) or that the pin inside the top of it got permanently bent somehow which would cause air to continuously flow out. The air pressure inside of the tire generally forces the bead, a ring of metal cord submerged in the lip of the tire used to maintain uniform pressure on the rim, to reseal. Are we talking rear or front wheel? Mix the soap and water and put it in a spray bottle. Sometimes low tire pressure isn’t always obvious and most motorcycles don’t come with a tire pressure light on their instrument panel. If the nail is deep enough, it can plug the hole so air does not leak from the tire. There are a lot of motorcycles nowadays that have tubeless tires which means the tire you see is what’s actually holding in the air. And it’s usually at the least convenient time, too. Why do motorcycle tires lose air pressure? Aaron Fink/Demand Media. It’s also possible that a hole was punched through the tire at some point while out for a ride. Whether you're new to riding a motorcycle, have ridden for years, or you're simply curious about how a motorcycle transmission works, you've come to the right place. Yes, bigger. You should also check the valve as well as around the tire rim where the tire suctions to the metal. valve stem is fairly easy, just replace the sucker. Apply rubber cement to the plug if you’re not using self vulcanizing plugs. If the tire is holding pressure, you are fine. An often overlooked aspect of tire repair has to do with the steel belts inside the tire’s layers. This applies if either the front, back, or both tires are low on pressure. Nails usually stay in the tire, so inspect your tire to see if any nails or other debris has nestled itself inside the tire. First, get some sort of solution that easily bubbles such as soapy water. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. We all know it should be tested or replaced, but it sucks, so we don't. You could take the tire off and inspect the inside to make sure there are no deformities. Cannon Entities LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The tire has about 1500 miles on it otehrwise and I'm a pretty conservative driver. A motorcycle engine has to work harder when it doesn’t have the proper tire pressure. If you are buying a used motorcycle or just a motorcycle engine, you may want to verify that the engine has not been stolen. If there is no bubbles from the soap and no pressure loss there is no problem , don't tell him to drop 150+ on a new tire. A little does not seem to hurt, but after several tire changes the buildup can become significant enough to cause the slow leaking. If I'm not losing pressure should I still replace it? This means that air has the ability to pass through the rubber particles of the tire at some point, similar to how helium and air escapes a balloon over time. To learn more about repairing motorcycle rims, see my other article here. You may have a hole in the tire, but before you take it in to the garage, first check for a leaky valve stem (Step 1). Keep using it, a small, non-perforating hole won't compromise the tire. These kits are inexpensive and you can see how they will come in useful when you need them most. A bent rim can easily cause the tire to lose air pressure because the tire isn’t able to suction to the rim properly. Other times, it’s completely obvious either by the way the tire looks or by the way the motorcycle is handling on the road. When the tire is punctured, water, snow, and moisture can eat away at the steel belts and cause corrosion. Though different makes and models call for different types of tires, the average tire pressure loss for motorcycles is about 1-3 PSI per month. Remove the screw or nail with your multi-tool or pliers. if its a bead leak, your local dealer or mechanic might be able to help ya fix that or see if you have a slight ding in your rim that is causing the tire not to seal properly. Check your tire pressure regularly. There’s a reason motorcycle tires have a life expectancy; too worn of tires aren’t safe for the rider because they’re no longer reliable and don’t have any traction. Here's How To Check If A Motorcycle Engine Is Stolen. What would you guys do? One of mine is an official tire iron … Ultimately, it can impact your gas mileage and possibly decrease it. Replace your inner tubes regularly. Tire Irons. Here's what those noises may mean. Motorcycle Tires. If you suspect you have a tire pressure air leak on your motorcycle that isn’t due to natural temperature changes or osmosis, you should inspect your tire to locate the leak. Leaking through the Spokes/Valve – Although this can be an annoying issue, leaking through the spokes is just a sign that the rim tape needs to be sealed better. There are sealants you can pre-install in your tires (Preventive) and there are some you may use as soon as you realize you are losing pressure (Corrective). Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. The next step is to make the hole bigger. Montgomery car accident lawyer Rick Morrison discuss some of the key differences between both types of tires. A motorcycle tire naturally loses some of it’s air pressure because of a process called osmosis (also known as permeation). Either way, having the right tire pressure is extremely important and addressing the issues could be a matter of your safety. You topped off the air in your tires, but a few days later, you notice that one of them is low again. If you do not get your tire repaired soon, the tire could blowout causing an even bigger problem. This is a hot issue in motorcycle forums, and I figure if you are debating whether or not to seal your motorcycle gas tank, this might help. link to How Does A Motorcycle Transmission Work. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, H2 Ninja K1100RS ST2 Le Mans Ténéré CB400F CD200 NMax125 CB125T. This site is owned and operated by Cannon Entities LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Utah, USA. Compare your tire pressure after riding everyday, to having put the bike down for a week or two. Riding a motorcycle with low tire pressure is not only uncomfortable, but it’s also dangerous. The only way to really tell if your tubed motorcycle tire is losing more pressure than it should is by simply taking it to a tire shop. Any leaks will manifest itself by bubbling up. Tubeless tires hold air better, and last longer, than old fashioned tires with an inner-tube. I am only explaining that leaks are not normal, the petcock is no substitute for repair. On the flip side, too hot of temperatures can also cause a motorcycle tire to lose pressure though not through the same laws as cold air. Do not wait for them to get punctures or until they are all patched up to replace. Based on how it was shaved down, I'm guessing I've been riding on it for a couple days. To determine if your motorcycle tire is fixable you need to figure out where the leak is coming from. The safe answer is to replace the tire. Every rider makes their own decision as to what risk they are willing to take, you want to ride with a leaking carb that is your choice. Because of this, it can often leave a motorcyclist frustrated since it’s usually not obvious as to why it’s happening. Every motorcycle tire will lose pressure over time. Generally, a motorcycle tire loses about 1 PSI for every 10° drop in outside temperatures. All that's not included is a pair of pliers to help remove the nail, screw, dinner fork, 10mm wrench, torpedo, etc. So less the nail, it should have plenty of life left. Mark the rim with a … Tires are an extremely important component to a motorcycle. I feel like I should just replace it too, not worth the risk. The two main wheel problems due to which a tire loses air slowly are: 1. This will smooth out the rubber and the steel belt inside the tire. It might also help to know how often you ride your bike. Cannon Entities LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Try the soapy water with 45 psi in the tire and air it very slowly until you find the leak. That’s simply how tires function. (a) A driver must examine each tire on a motor vehicle at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked. This is because it suctions to the rim it’s around. This is usually due to it being incorrectly connected to the tube canal (which would probably be a manufacturer problem) or that the pin inside the top of it got permanently bent somehow which would cause air to continuously flow out. Based on how it was shaved down, I'm guessing I've been riding on it for a couple days. Repairing a bead leak requires first removing the tire from the vehicle and then applying bead sealant. Motorcycle rims are pretty difficult to repair. Its the rear tire, almost exactly in the center. This is why it’s important to regularly check your tire pressure to ensure you keep up with the natural occurrence of osmosis. Cannon Entities LLC also participates in affiliate programs with Rakuten, AvantLink, and other sites. That may not seem very significant, but when you go from summer to winter where it’s about a 70° difference, that means your tire is about 7 pounds too low.