What you need to understand
A motorcycle has a limited traction budget shared by braking, accelerating and turning. Tire condition and pressure influence the available grip, while abrupt rider inputs can demand more traction than the road can provide.
Key points to remember
- Use the manufacturer’s pressure specification.
- Inspect for cuts, cracks, bulges and embedded objects.
- Reduce combined braking or acceleration demands while leaned.
Check your understanding
Practice questions
1. What should be checked on motorcycle tires before riding?
- Only the brand name
- Punctures, cuts, bulges, cracks, sidewall damage, and proper condition
- Only whether the tires look clean
- Only the rear tire
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Punctures, cuts, bulges, cracks, sidewall damage, and proper condition
A complete pre-trip inspection includes both tires and looks for embedded objects and structural damage.
2. How can incorrect tire pressure affect a motorcycle?
- It improves traction in every condition
- Both under- and over-inflation can reduce traction and alter tire wear
- It affects comfort only
- It matters only on racetracks
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Both under- and over-inflation can reduce traction and alter tire wear
Use the manufacturer’s pressure specification. Incorrect inflation reduces the useful contact patch and affects handling and wear.
Exam-day strategy
Prefer manufacturer specifications and smooth control inputs over improvised tire-pressure changes.
Read every word, especially qualifiers such as must, only, before, and NOT. Eliminate choices that contradict the official rule, then select the safest complete answer.