Safe Vacations on Two Wheels – a Comprehensive Tire Check for Motorcyclists
- Ideally, check the air pressure, tread depth and condition before every ride
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for riding with and without luggage
- Schedule tire changes in good time, especially for long journeys
Hanover, Germany, July 3, 2025: The most beautiful time of the year is just around the corner – and for many motorcyclists that means packing their bags, saddling up and setting off. To ensure that their motorcycle vacations are not only unforgettable but most importantly safe, a thorough tire check is an integral part of the travel preparations. Because only well-maintained tires offer maximum performance, safety and riding pleasure – wherever the journey goes.
A thorough check – a must before every tour
Tires are subject to a natural ageing process. Even if the tread is still sufficient, they can become brittle due to UV radiation, heat or incorrect storage. Continental therefore recommends having older tires checked by a specialist. All important tire criteria should always be checked before setting off on vacation:
- Air pressure: The correct tire pressure is crucial for safe handling, good grip and even wear. Especially when the motorcycle is loaded with luggage or a passenger, it is advisable to check the user manual for the correct pressure value. Just as sensible is a regular check on the road.
- Tread depth: In Germany, the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm applies. Continental recommends replacing the tire before the legal minimum tread depth is reached. If in doubt, trained specialists in the workshop or at a service center can also help here. Please note that other minimum values may apply in other countries.
- Tire condition: Tires with cracks, porous spots or worn-in foreign objects should be replaced under all circumstances.
Safe under all conditions
Continental motorcycle tires featuring the revolutionary TractionSkin rough tire surface ensure extremely safe and short break-in times, offering riding pleasure from the very start. Fresh tires without TractionSkin should be broken in carefully during the first 100 to 200 kilometers before the full grip potential can be exploited – an aspect that many underestimate and that can end a vacation before it has even begun.
Having arrived, heated asphalt – especially in vacation destinations with high outside temperatures – can make for unfamiliar riding behavior. An intact and well-maintained tire can handle high thermal loads with ease, but even with a retrofitted tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), an eye can be kept on the tire pressure at all times. In the case of systems that only warn in the event of deviations from defined values, a manual check with a tire-pressure gauge with the motorcycle loaded is recommended to always maintain the pressure specified by the manufacturer.
Just in case – What to do in the event of a flat tire?
Repair kits for tubeless tires are standard equipment on longer journeys – but only for the ride to the nearest tire dealer. In addition, a mobility service – or the Continental dealer search on the website – helps to quickly find a workshop abroad. A mini compressor for checking and correcting the pressure on the road is also a valuable companion.
Recommendation for long-distance trips – plan a tire change
Anyone planning a particularly long ride should not only check the current tire tread beforehand but also calculate the total wear. A tire that lasts another 2,000 kilometers, for example, can become a risk on a 4,000-kilometer journey – or has to be replaced unnecessarily early. Both can be avoided by changing the tire during the tour and the desired tire is guaranteed to be in stock. Planning can be done from the comfort of one’s own home as part of travel preparations using the dealer search function on the Continental website.
Conclusion: A well-prepared start to a vacation will ensure a safer, more fun and more relaxed trip. With a thorough tire check, the necessary know-how and the right Continental tires, every tour becomes a summer highlight on two wheels.
Melina Kostmann
Marketing Communications Manager Motorcycle Tires
Specialty Tires
Continental Tires