Kicking tyres

November 17, 2009 by mike.cox

You may not know it but there is a right and wrong way to kick tyres when checking tyre pressures.

1. Don’t kick the tyre hard, especially if you are kicking away from the side stand. The result is a bike on its side and if you are tightly packed amongst other bikes, a big hassle.
2. Don’t look away when kicking. A foot jammed between the spokes is also very embarrassing.
3. Don’t do a big swing if you are standing on oil.
4. Don’t wear soft shoes with long toenails. Trust me.
5. If you miss the tyre completely and land on your ass, make out it was deliberate by visually inspecting the engine while you are down there.
6. What does a soft tyre feel like? Well if the tyre comes off the rim, it’s too soft.
7. If the tyre only partially lifts off the rim it’s softish.
8. If the tyre doesn’t move much, it’s about right.
9. If the tyre doesn’t move at all. It’s too hard.
10. The more experienced of us who check pressures in this way always have both hands in their pockets. It’s almost mandatory.

 
There are some visual aids you can utilise.

11. If the tyre is flat at the bottom, it’s too soft.
12. If there are cracks all around the side walls, it’s too old.
13. If the name on the side sounds like a fortune cookie, it will always be too hard.
14. Don’t put lighter fluid in a tyre and light it to save using the tyre pump, it only works in the artic circle and on National Geographic.
15. If it takes two of you to push the tyre pump handle down, it’s slightly hard.
16. If the side walls bulge far wider than the tread, it’s too hard.

 
People will admire you for your skill and knowledge.