Your e-motorbike’s wheels play an important role in determining your overall riding experience. This is because the pressure of your wheels influences factors like your speed, braking force, and riding comfort. And one factor that determines how well your wheels perform is the tyre pressure. Tyres lose pressure over time, which is why you should perform regular checks and maintain them from time to time.
Thus, in this blog, we shall discuss the best ways to check your e-motorbike’s tyre pressure and keep them running in optimal condition. So, read on to find out more.
The Science Behind Tyre Pressure
Tyre pressure, in simple terms, refers to the total amount of air pressure that is present inside a tyre. It is measured in PSI, which stands for Pound per Square Inch. An e-motorbike’s tyre can affect your riding experience greatly, which is why you should maintain an optimal level of pressure in your tyres. Thus, you should avoid both over-inflating and under-inflating your tyres.
How tyre pressure affects your riding experience ?
- Handling and stability
Tyre pressure ensures proper contact between the road and the tyre surface. Both over-inflated and under-inflated tyres can affect your stability and handling.
- Wear and Tear
Improper tire pressure can accelerate your tyre’s wear and affect the overall lifespan. This can also put more pressure on your e-motorbike.
- Fuel efficiency
Improper tyre pressure can also affect your e-bike’s fuel efficiency and cause more fuel consumption than what is normally required.
Tools Needed for Checking Tyre Pressure
If you want to check your e-motorbike’s tyre pressure, then you will need a couple of tools to help you with it.
1. Tyre pressure gauge
This is a device that will allow you to measure the tyre pressure inside the tyre. There are different types of tyre pressure gauges available, like a dial gauge, a stick gauge, and even a digital gauge. Choose the one that you find the easiest to use.
2. Air compressor
If you feel like your tyres need more air, then you will need an air compressor to fill your tyres with air.
3. Tyre inflator
Some types of air pressure gauges come with an attached inflator. If your pressure gauge doesn’t have one, then you need to get a separate inflator.
4. Rag or towel
It’s helpful to have a rag or towel to clean the valve stem before attaching the tire pressure gauge. This will ensure there will be a good seal between the stem and gauge.
Moreover, in today’s market, you can also find a tyre pressure gauge with a built-in air compressor and inflator.
Step-by-Step Guide to Checking Tyre Pressure
Get your tyre pressure gauge and other tools like an inflator and a compressor. Keep your rag or towel handy. Now, follow the steps highlighted below.
Step 1
Take off the valve cover or dust caps from your tyre pressure nozzle. There are two types of caps that you may find in the tyre:
- Presta – Open the top nut and press the stalk until you hear a hissing sound of escaping air
- Schrader – All you need to do is remove the dust cap
Step 2
Use your tyre pressure gauge and check the tyre pressure. The optimal tyre pressure ranges from 30-40 psi.
Step 3
Depending on the pressure, use the compressor or inflator to adjust the tyre pressure.
Step 4
Put the valve seals or dust caps back on.
How Often Should You Check Your Tyre Pressure?
The optimal frequency for checking your tyre pressure is once a month. However, if you use your e-motorbike often (say, every day), then you might need to check it every two weeks.
Some factors that affect your tyre pressure are:
Temperature changes
Changes in surrounding temperatures can cause changes in your tyre pressure as well. In general, a 5-degree shift can cause a change of about 1 psi.
Road conditions
Smoothness, potholes, bumps, gradients, camber, curves, and hilly terrain impact tire pressure.
Driving habits
Speed, loads, and loading practices affect tire performance and also the pressure.
The Impact of Weather on Tyre Pressure
Your surrounding temperature can affect your e-motorbike’s tyre pressure to a great extent. Tyres are usually made of rubber, which is subject to temperature changes.
When the outside temperature is high, the tyres expand and inflate, and the air inside takes up more volume. This may cause overinflation, affecting fuel efficiency and your e-bike’s handling.
On the other hand, cold temperatures will reduce your tyre’s pressure, which can result in underinflation.
Thus, weather conditions can affect your tyres’ pressure to a great extent.
Top 5 Tips for Maintaining Consistent Tyre Pressure
Below, we have highlighted tips that will help you maintain optimal levels of tyre pressure in your bike.
1. Periodic pressure check
You should always check your tyre pressure periodically to ensure you have optimal pressure levels. Moreover, your checking frequency should depend on your bike usage. If you are a heavy rider, then you should check your pressure every two weeks. However, if you are a moderate rider, then you should check your pressure once a month.
2. Check manufacturer pressure levels
It is a good idea to check the pressure level specified by your manufacturer. Thus, this will help you avoid causing any kind of damage to your tyre.
3. Be mindful of temperature changes
Temperature changes can cause tire pressure to fluctuate. You should keep this in mind when monitoring tire pressure, especially during seasonal temperature changes.
4. Inspect tyres for any damage
You should regularly inspect tyres for any signs of damage, such as cuts, punctures, or bulges. Damaged tires can lead to pressure loss and also compromise driving safety.
5. Avoid overloading your bike
Overloading your bike can put excessive pressure on the tires. This can lead to increased wear and reduced performance. Thus, it is a good idea to always follow the recommended load capacity for your vehicle.
The Dangers of Overinflation and Underinflation
Both over-inflating and under-inflating your tyres can lead to serious damage to your tyres, and can also sometimes cause damage to your e-motorbike.
Under-inflating your tyres can cause excessive heat inside the tyres that can cause sloppy handling, tyre failure, and even heavy steering. This can lead to poor fuel economy and reduce the longevity of your tyres.
On the other hand, over-inflating your tyres can cause them to swell up, leading to an increased risk of them getting punctured or developing cracks. Moreover, over-inflated tyres can cause your motorbike to bounce dangerously on roads and can also affect braking performance. This can lead to an increased risk of accidents.
Thus, you should always strive to maintain an optimal pressure level in your tyres.
Final thoughts
Your e-motorbike’s tyre pressure level can play an important role in your overall riding experience. Moreover, tyres don’t come cheap, which is why it is necessary to maintain their pressure levels to avoid causing any type of damage to them.
Optimal tyre pressure levels will allow you to have a smooth and comfortable riding experience and, thus, allow you to make the most out of your electric motorbike riding experience.
