Know Your Tyres

They’re your last link to road or track, often defining the difference between knee down or tits up. No getting away from it, tyres are such crucial bits of kit. Mossy spoke to Bridgestone’s senior product manager Gary Hartshorne and gained a few tips and truths on them.

- Mossy

FB: All tyres are the same, aren’t they?

GH: Not at all. Different materials such as steel, Kevlar and rayon are used in the construction of tyres. They have different weights, profiles, widths, overall diameters, compounds, constructions, speed and load ratings – all helping to give very different results in terms of performance and wear. Different types of tyres can behave very differently. Their performance has improved enormously even over the last few years thanks to major advances in technology.

FB: How important is it to fit the right type of tyre?

GH: It’s hugely important. Your safety depends on it. Fitting an inappropriate type or size of tyre, one not recommended or approved by a manufacturer, can seriously affect your safety. It can be crucial to make the right choice, and that’s not always easy. Even some single models of tyre from a manufacturer, carrying the same basic name on the sidewall, can differ subtly (or greatly) enough to give very markedly different performance and wear rates. An OE (original equipment) tyre of the ‘same type’ on a lightweight sportsbike can be very different to one fitted to a heavyweight sports tourer for instance, yet look about the same.

FB: Where’s the best place to get advice on tyre choice? GH: Directly from a manufacturer is best. Manufacturers have a vast amount of experience and technical information. Most, like us at Bridgestone, have a dedicated website (www. bridgestone.co.uk) to help with enquiries. Using those will give you the most accurate information you need.

FB: How important are tyre pressures and how often should I check them?