Your motorcycle’s tires do some serious grunt work on the ground, providing the traction to keep the bike moving forward. But while the wheel has been around for about 6,000 years, tires are a relatively new invention. After their invention in the mid-1800s, tires first appeared on bicycles and light vehicles. Improvements such as vulcanized rubber, clincher rims and radial tires occurred in subsequent decades.
Many motorcycle tires are constructed in stages. The cord and belting structure come first, followed by the application and molding of synthetic rubber compounds. Vulcanization is the final step, using extreme heat to fix the tire into its final form. So the next time you’re shopping motorcycle tires for sale, you may feel a little awestruck at the engineering that goes into each tire. It’s also worth considering how tires with fresh tread contribute to your machine’s performance.
Why Fresh Tires Are Important
As anyone who owns a vehicle knows, tire tread plays a key role in traction and grip. Tread designs rely on depth, plus lug shape and spacing, to get a proper “bite” into the terrain. Each type of ground presents different physical properties – soft and squishy, hard and slippery, dusty and shifting. And though you want tread that can dig in when it’s on soft mud, it won’t work as well on a swatch of rock-embedded hard-packed ground.
No matter what type of tire you have, its tread helps provide resistance against the ground. Without that resistance, the tire just spins. That can leave you stuck in soft ground or cause skidding and spinouts on harder surfaces. Maybe you’ve heard that you should replace tires when their tread fails the “Lincoln penny” test or is less than 4/32. But if yours are not quite there yet, the advantages of fresh tires may give you some pause:
- Enhanced overall performance
- Increased traction
- Improved fuel economy
- Better performance and safety
Good Motorcycle Upgrades for 2021
Besides swapping out your tires, you may want to look at other upgrades in motorcycle parts. Something as simple as a battery can improve performance and help you rake up more miles. Yuasa’s High-Performance Maintenance-Free battery is made for the long haul. With its absorbent glass mat construction, the Yuasa YTX20H-BS is spill-proof and withstands vibration to deliver up to 310 cold cranking amps. It also provides up to 30% more power than Yuasa’s own Yumicron battery.
There are plenty of upgrades for modern bikes, but you’ll also find options available for vintage machines. The S&S Super E carburetor is an excellent example. Designed for Harley-Davidson bikes, the Super E boosts airflow swaps the standard choke for a specially crafted enrichment device. And with its accessible variable position lever, adjusting the idle mixture is easy.
Tips for Shopping Motorcycle Upgrades
Perhaps you already know what upgrades you want or you need to explore your options. Either way, your best bet is shopping at a trustworthy retailer of aftermarket motorcycle parts and accessories. Positive customer reviews point to a great track record of delivering service and satisfaction. And don’t be afraid to ask the experts. They can point you to parts that give you the best bang for your buck.
