Motorcyclist's Limited Tyre Safety Knowledge Heightens Road Risks

The insufficient understanding of tyre safety among motorcyclists is a significant contributor to the increasing rates of accidents and deaths.

As noted by Associate Professor Dr. Law Teik Hua from UPM's Road Safety Research Centre, the core issues include the frequent neglect of proper tread, consistent tyre pressure maintenance, and general tyre wear.

Compounding this is a prevalent gap in knowledge regarding tyre wear indicators (TWI) and expiry dates, significantly worsening the problem.

“Many only change their tyres when they are completely worn out or when there is a puncture. A common myth is that if the tyre still looks thick, there’s no need to change it, without checking the actual age or rubber condition.

“There are also those who believe second-hand tyres or bald tyres provide better speed, which is a very dangerous misconception,” he says in a Bernama report.

Motorcycle tire lifespan, legally set at 3-5 years from production, often requires earlier replacement for frequent riders, ideally every 1.5-2 years. 

For daily use, tires should feature sufficient tread for wet road grip, align with common road surfaces, offer durability, and fulfill motorcycle speed and load index standards, according to Law.

He explained that tire replacement is necessary when the tread depth falls below 1.6 mm. Law also noted that the tire is considered worn out once the tread level aligns with the Tread Wear Indicator (TWI) mark.


“Small cracks, bulges, or hardening of the tyre are signs of ageing or damage. Air pressure should also be checked weekly, based on the manufacturer’s specifications,” he says, adding that Miros and JPJ should proactively enhance tyre safety education with regular inspections and mandatory use of safety-compliant tyres.