A.C.T. On Your Tyres - Air, Condition & Tread

 

Your tyres are smaller than the palm of your hand where they touch the road. On a moped or motorcycle, those two tiny patches of rubber handle all your steering, braking, and acceleration.

Keeping them in good shape isn’t just about avoiding a fine—it’s what keeps you upright.

Before you ride, always A.C.T.

A – Air Pressure - Don’t Ride Flat

Under-inflated tyres make your bike feel heavy, handle sluggishly, and take longer to stop. Because scooter and small bike wheels are small, they spin much faster than car wheels—making correct pressure critical for cornering and stability.

  • Check them cold - Always check pressure before you ride, or when the tyres haven't been ridden on for a couple of hours.
  • Find your numbers - Your recommended PSI/Bar figures are in your owner’s manual or on a sticker on the swingarm or frame.
  • Weekly habit - Check them once a week at a garage or with a pocket digital pressure gauge.

C – Condition - Look for Damage

Before you set off, give both tyres a quick 10-second visual scan:

  • Cuts & Bulges - Look for cracks in the rubber or bulges on the side (a bulge means the internal structure of the tyre has failed).
  • Trapped Objects - Check for nails, screws, or glass stuck in the rubber. Don't pull a nail out yourself—take the bike straight to a dealer or tyre specialist.
  • Valve Caps - Make sure your valve caps are screwed on tight to keep dirt and moisture out of the valve.

T – Tread Depth - Know the Law

Tread clears water from the road. Worn tread turns a damp road into an ice rink.

The legal tread requirements depend on what you ride

  • Mopeds & Light Bikes (up to 50cc) - You must have visible tread across the entire width and all the way around the tyre.
  • Motorcycles (over 50cc) - You must have at least 1.0mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way around.

How to check your tread
Use a manual or digital tread depth gauge and check across the width and around the entire circumference of the tyres. If you measure less than 1.0mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, your tyre is illegal and unsafe to ride.

How two bald tyres can instantly rip up your new bike licence

If you are in your first two years of riding and get caught with two bald tyres, the police can give you 3 points per tyre, which triggers an automatic 6-point ban that cancels your licence and forces you to retake your tests, on top of up to £5,000 in fines.

 

12 Top Tips for checking motorcycle tyres

  1. Check your tyre pressures from cold at least once a week using an accurate gauge and inflate tyres to the level recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook
  2. Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded into the tread pattern and replace if necessary
  3. Check that your tread depth is not below the legal minimum of 1mm (for motorcycles over 50cc)
  4. Use dust caps to keep dirt away from the valve core and to act as a secondary air seal
  5. If your rims are cracked or bent, they should be replaced immediately
  6. Replace old or damaged valve stems
  7. Select the correct type of tyre for your machine and riding style
  8. Check that both tyres fitted to the motorcycle are made by the same manufacturer and have the same tread pattern
  9. Make sure that your tyre has been fitted the right way round by checking the directional arrows on the sidewall
  10. When replacing tube type tyres always use a new inner tube
  11. Make sure your tyre/wheel assembly is balanced correctly
  12. Keep oil and grease off your tyres using detergent if necessary

If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition, take your motorcycle to an approved fitting centre and speak to a qualified professional.

 

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