Consider traction . . . the kind that keeps the sheet metal away from the pavement, and you away from the OTHER kind of traction.
Although traction is important for any wheeled vehicle, it is indispensable for motorcycles. It is critical to understand where traction comes from, and where it goes
Would it surprise you to learn that the total contact area between your tires and the road is a patch about the size of the palm of your hand? Traction, i.e. how well that little patch of rubber holds the road, is largely a function of tire pressure, tire condition and the condition and characteristics of the road surface,
Tire pressure is a trade-off between road gripping ability and tire longevity. Under-inflated tires conform better to the road surface, increasing traction, but at the expense of increased heat and wear. As pressure increases, wear and tear decreases, but the tire tread becomes less resilient – less conforming to the surface – reducing traction. To keep a happy medium, check your tire pressure at least weekly and make certain the inflation pressure is correct according to the owner’s manual.
Tire condition is a function of rubber compound, age, environment and wear. Certain tire brands use softer, stickier rubber, which increases traction at the expense of longevity. Others use harder compounds, which last longer, but don’t hold as well. New tires provide less traction for the first hundred miles, so take it easy when breaking one in.
As tires age they get harder and more brittle simply because the more volatile compounds in the tire evaporate, leaving the rubber harder and more brittle. Ozone, which is produced by the electrical appliances we tend to keep in the garage like washing machines, refrigerators and dryers, speeds the process.
Tires wear out, and get damaged. Keep an eye on the tread and the sidewalls. If you have sidewall damage buy a new tire immediately. If the tread looks worn it probably is. Check wear with a gauge, or a penny, and install new tires before the old ones are fully worn out. A $100.00 tire is way cheaper than new sheet metal, a paint job and a hospital bill, so it makes no sense to take a chance on an old worn out tire.
Finally, there is road condition. What is the road surface made of? Is it flat, or cambered? Clean, or littered with sand and gravel? Wet or dry? Oily, or clean? You MUST constantly scan the road surface ahead of you. As you ride, scan for any variations or clues that the road surface is dangerous.
In a given set of circumstances here is only so much traction to go around. If you are braking, traction is spent slowing the bike down, leaving less to hold the tire on the road in cornering. Hence the rule of thumb that you not brake or accelerate hard when cornering. So remember before you wind the throttle up going into a corner, that the traction used in accelerating or braking isn?t available to hold the tires against the lateral forces caused by cornering. Add a little sand, diesel or water and . . . well, you know what happens.
A big part of safe riding is understanding, and THINKING about what is going on where your tires meet the road as you ride. Don’t obsess . . . but think about it, and ride safe.
Don Oldaker – Safety Officer