Your tires are the only part of your motorcycle that touches the road. On a dry day, a worn tire can still feel fine. On a wet road, it can slide without warning. October in Ilocos Norte still brings sudden afternoon thunderstorms, and typhoon season is not over yet. That makes now a good time to give your tires a proper check.

Why tires matter more in the rain

The grooves in your tire push water out from under it so the rubber can grip the road. As the tread wears down, those grooves get shallow and cannot clear water fast enough. The tire then rides on a thin layer of water, and steering and braking stop working the way you expect.

Rain also makes roads slippery in other ways. The first rain after a dry spell lifts oil and dust off the asphalt. Painted lines, metal plates and wet leaves are slick too. Good tires at the right pressure give you a safety margin for all of this, whether you ride a Click, a Sniper, an ADV or a big bike like an MT-09.

Signs your tires need attention

• The tread grooves look shallow, or the tread wear bars are level with the surface
• The centre of the tire is flat or squared off from long straight rides
• Small cracks on the sidewall or between the tread blocks
• Bulges, cuts or nails stuck in the rubber
• The bike feels slow to turn, or wobbles at speed
• You need to add air often, which can mean a slow leak
• The rear wheel slips easily when you brake or accelerate on wet roads

Tires also age even when they still have tread. Rubber gets hard over time, especially on bikes parked in the sun. Hard rubber grips poorly in the wet.

A quick tire check you can do at home

• Check the pressure when the tires are cold, before your first ride of the day. Use the numbers on the sticker on your bike or in your owner’s manual, not the maximum printed on the tire.
• Look for the small wear bar marks inside the grooves. If the tread is close to them, plan a replacement soon.
• Turn the wheel slowly and look all around the tire for cuts, cracks, bulges and stones.
• Find the four-digit date code on the sidewall. For example, 2321 means week 23 of 2021. Older tires deserve a closer look.
• Make sure the valve caps are on. They keep dirt and water out of the valve.

Riding on wet roads

Even with good tires, ride a little slower in the rain and leave more space to the vehicle in front. Brake gently and early, and use both brakes. Keep the bike as upright as you can in corners. Avoid painted lines, manhole covers and puddles where you cannot see the bottom, since they can hide potholes. If a thunderstorm gets heavy, it is fine to pull over somewhere safe and wait it out.

Let us check your tires for you

At MotoNorte, a tire tread inspection is part of our scooter PMS packages, which start at ₱1,899, all-in with oil and labor. If you just want a quick look, our Basic Check is ₱299 and covers the engine, brakes and tires, with a summary of what we find.

Walk in to our shop in Batac City or book online. We will check your tires and explain what we find, so you can ride through the rest of the rainy season with confidence.