Grip with confidence
Use these tips to keep your tyres rolling on.
Maintaining your tyres
It’s so important your tyres are in good condition, for your safety and comfort. There are lots of factors that affect the ageing and wear of your tyres. From road conditions to weather, and of course, your riding style.
You can find information on this page about how to perform regular tyre checks to ensure you don’t have any serious problems. If you’re ever in doubt, pop along to your nearest Honda dealer and our expert technicians will check them over for you.
Tyre Checks
Tread depth
The lower the tread, the longer your stopping distance will be – especially in wet conditions. The legal requirement for motorcycles over 50cc is 1mm minimum.
Inflation pressure
Tyre pressure influences how your bike handles and can affect your braking and acceleration, so it’s important to maintain the correct recommended pressure. If you have a pillion passenger or panniers, the pressure should be checked and adjusted accordingly.
Factors that influence your tyre pressure
Maintaining the right tyre pressure is key to a safe and enjoyable ride. Your motorcycle’s tyre pressure directly affects your bike's handling, grip, and overall performance. There are a few key factors that impact your motorcycle’s tyre pressure.
Honda tyre information
Learn about your specific Honda motorcycle’s tyre pressure, tyre tread, and more.
How to check your tyre pressure
When it comes to checking the correct motorcycle tyre pressure, most modern bikes will have a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) installed. This will automatically show you the tyre pressure on your dashboard and indicate if there are any issues with the tyres that need to be addressed. Follow these steps to check your tyre pressure if you don’t have a TPMS installed on your motorcycle. You can find the recommended tyre pressure and correct chain tension on a label located on the chain guard or swing arm of your bike. A portable digital tyre pressure gauge is handy to take on journeys and can be plugged into the 12v socket.
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1. Remove the valve dust cap.
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2. Place the tyre pressure gauge on the tyre valve.
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3. Press down evenly on the gauge to get an accurate reading.
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4. Wait for the dial to give you a reading.
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5. Once you have the reading, you can apply a suitable pump to add the correct air pressure.
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6. If you need to remove air (if your tyre is over-inflated), press the metal pin in the middle of the valve and recheck the pressure in your tyre.
Inflating your tyres
Once you have checked the pressure in your motorbike’s tyres, the next job is to inflate any tyres that need a little extra air. This can be done easily, either at home or at most petrol stations and garages.
At the petrol station
When you’re filling your tyres up at the petrol station, remove the dust caps from the valves. Adjust the PSI level on the machine to your desired level – you’ll see a + and – to help you adjust to the correct pressure. Then place the pump over the valve. You’ll see on the machine what the current tyre pressure is and can watch it inflate to the requested PSI. Listen for the beep and remove the pump when the tyre reaches the correct level. You can pay to do this at most petrol stations with coins and some also take contactless payments.
At home
If you have a portable tyre pump, you can inflate your tyres at home. It’s similar to how it works at a petrol station, but you may need to screw the pump onto the valve instead of simply holding it on. You’ll see the tyre inflating on the dial or screen. Keep an eye on this as not all pumps will turn off automatically when they reach the correct PSI.
Once finished, remove the pump from the tyre valve, put the dust cap back on and you’re good to go.
Micheldever
When it comes to choosing the right tyre for your bike, to provide you with the best possible advice and service, Honda have teamed up with Micheldever - one of the UK's largest tyre wholesalers and leading tyre programme providers.
Via their dedicated bike tyre wearehouse, plus 14 regional warehouses, our partnership ensures you have access to an extensive range of premium brand and mid-range tyres to suit your specific requirements, whether it is Super Sport, enduro, or scooter.
Motorcycle Care Product Kit
As well as getting the quick, efficient, and quality service you'd expect from your Honda dealership, we'll also give you our complimentary Honda Motorcycle Care Product Kit worth £95.00.
- At Participating Honda dealers only
- Available for one month only
- Only available when purchasing tyres
- One Care Product Kit per customer
Contact your local Honda dealer to find out more!
Frequently asked questions about tyres and tyre pressure
How often should I check my motorcycle’s tyre pressure?
You should check your tyre pressure at least once a week and before long rides, as proper pressure is crucial for safety, handling, and tyre longevity.
What is the ideal tyre tread depth for a motorcycle?
The legal minimum tread depth in most places is 1mm, but for optimal safety, it's recommended to replace your tyres when the tread depth falls below 2mm.
How do I know when it's time to replace my motorcycle tyres?
Tyres should be replaced if the tread depth is below the minimum, if you notice any cracks, punctures, or bulges in the sidewall, or if the tyres are more than five years old.
What causes uneven tyre wear on a motorcycle?
Uneven tyre wear can be caused by low or high tyre pressure, misaligned wheels, or riding habits such as frequent hard cornering or braking.
Can I repair a punctured motorcycle tyre, or should it be replaced?
Small punctures in the tread area can often be repaired, but sidewall damage or large punctures usually mean the tyre needs to be replaced to ensure your safety.
