How to prevent dirt bike tyres from going flat?
What causes dirt bike tyres to go flat
Thanks to their aggressive tread patterns, dirt bike tyres are blessed with both excellent grip and stability, making them perfect for thick forests and rugged mountains. Despite that, adventure bike tyres are not indestructible.
Terrain
Regardless of their ingenious design and excellent build, anything can happen to your dirt bike tyres on rough terrains. Jagged rocks, sharp sticks, long roots, and thick mud can all cause flat tyres.
Air pressure
Underinflated dirt bike tyres often lead to a decrease in handling and riding precision. You would need more effort to maneuver the vehicle through rough surfaces. Similarly, the rigidity of overinflated tyres takes away the tyre’s ability to maintain a wide contact patch, causing it to lose grip on uneven terrains and become more prone to punctures and pinch flats.
Improper storage
Like any other tyres, dirt bike tyres require proper storage. Leaving them out in extreme temperatures for a long period of time can drastically affect tyre pressure and durability. Setting your off road motobike on the floor with tyres attached is not recommended either for the weight of the rims would produce excessive stress on only one part of the tyre.
What can be done to prevent dirt bike tyres from going flat
Follow a standard dirt bike tyre inspection
Check for damages in your dirt bike tyres: For safety reasons and as a rule of thumb, you should always check your tyres for damages. Starting with the sidewalls and tread areas, look for any leaks or indications of wear and tear in your adventure dirt bike tyres. Dirt bike tyres with visible cuts, bulges, or cracks should be repaired or replaced before any ride.
Ensure optimal tyre pressure: Getting the correct PSI readings on your dirt bike tyres eliminates the possibility of flat tyres and blowouts. To get better estimates, we suggest that you take the readings indoors and compare the results to the recommended pressure range. Tyre pressure varies depending on the weather conditions and elevation levels. We don’t recommend checking tyre pressure on elevated grounds because they might affect the air pressure.
Check the tread depth: Tread depth can tremendously affect your riding experience. Thicker tread helps you gain better grip and control on the trail. Conversely, shallow treads mean lower traction. We recommend that you do a quick check with a tread depth gauge or the penny test in advance to see if your tread needs replacing.
Change your off road motorbike tyres
Tubed and tubeless tyres have their own positives and drawbacks. While tubeless tyres are good alternatives, they might not be the most comfortable. Unprofessional installations of tubeless tyres can also lead to quicker tear and wear.
Examples of tubeless tyres include:
Mousses: They are ring-shaped foam inserts placed between the tyre and rim. Their elastic honeycomb structure forms a rigid exterior that is difficult to pierce.
Tubliss: It’s a 100 PSI insert that creates two pressure zones. Like a rim lock, the inner high-pressure chamber secures the tyre to the rim— ensuring that no air is lost. The outer low-pressure chamber increases tyre stability and optimizes off-road performance.
If you are using tubeless tyres, consider switching to tubed tyres for their durability and resilience. Most tubed tyres are carefully engineered to absorb shocks from jumps, drops, and rough terrains. Tubes also prevent air leakages when spoked wheels come in close contact with the rim.
Another advantage tubed tyres have over tubeless tyres is convenience when replacing punctured or flat tyres. All you need is a spare tubed tyre, a wrench, and a bike tyre lever. MX tyres, for example, offer impressive traction and handling in muddy conditions, sandy terrains, and rough surfaces.
Commonly asked dirt bike tyres questions
Why does the same dirt bike tyre keep going flat?
There are many reasons why the same dirt bike tyre goes flat. Tyre underuse, prolonged exposure to the sun, extreme temperatures, valve malfunctions, and tyre bead leaks are some of them.
Why do dirt bike tyres go flat when not in use?
This is mainly due to the difference in air pressure and the porosity of dirt bike tyres through which air molecules migrate outward. Until air pressure inside and outside the tyres are leveled, air molecules will continue to escape your adventure bike tyres.
How often should I replace dirt bike tyres?
You should change your dirt bike tyres when you notice that your tyres are exhibiting some obviour signs of wear and tear such as cracking and discolouration. But it all comes down to the quality of your off road dirt bike tyres, your unique riding style, maintenance, and the type of terrain you ride on.
Browse more dirt bike tyres
At Michelin, we offer a variety of quality dirt bike tyres. No matter what surface you prefer or what your riding style is, we have the right tyres for you. Explore your options here before your next ride.