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4 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your ATV Tires

By Megan Randall | Behind The Wheel on November 2, 2020
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Your ATV tires aren’t meant to last forever. Even the most durable and highly specialized tires will need replaced eventually. But tires are a big investment and most of us don’t have a limitless budget when it comes to our quad (as much as we would love to).

Unfortunately, there is no set time period or mileage limit on ATV tires. Depending on what type of terrain you stick to and how often you ride, your tires can last anywhere from a year to 5 years (or longer). So how do you know when it’s finally time to bite the bullet and buy a new set?


How Do I Know My ATV Tires Are Bad?

Since there is no firm expiration date on a new set of tires, it’s important to know what to look for in terms of wear and tear. Here’s a rundown of the top 4 signs that your ATV tires might be nearing the end of their run.

1. Cracks or Punctures

Visible wear and tear is one of the most obvious signs of a bad tire. We recommend conducting a pre-ride inspection every time you take your quad out. Here are some specific things to look for:

  • Punctures in the rubber
  • Cracks in the sidewall or between treads
  • Bald spots
  • Worn or missing tread lugs
tire with dry rot
Over time, your tire will start showing its age by developing cracks or bald spots. Check them regularly and avoid riding on tires with a lot of visible wear—blowouts can be dangerous.
Photo by Tire Deets

2) Vibration or Wobbling

If you notice any new or unusual vibration when riding, it could be a sign of bad tires. Sometimes this can be fixed by rotating them. But if you rotate your tires and the vibration is still there, uneven tire wear could be the issue. It could also be due to the separation of your tire’s internal plies, which would push pressurized air up against the rubber wall and cause wobbling.

3) Weird Noises

A constant humming sound that changes with your ATV’s speed could signify a chopped thread. Another weird noise to listen for is a thumping sound, which might indicate that your tire has a flat spot. In either case, it’s probably time for some replacement tires.

4) Balding

Tires are considered balding when there is little to no tread pattern left. Driving on bald tires is dangerous because of the lack of traction. Your tire’s grooves are there to allow water and debris to escape from the tread. When there is no tread and water can’t escape, you can end up hydroplaning or spinning out of control.

Bald tires
As the rubber wears down, a tire becomes more and more dangerous to ride on. You need tread depth for traction—especially on slick surfaces—so balding ATV tires definitely need replaced.
Photo by Tyre Pressures

How to Make Your ATV Tires Last Longer

Buying and mounting new tires is a pain in the butt (and the wallet), but it’s inevitable. Here are a few steps you can take to ease that pain and extend the life of your ATV tires.

  1. Conduct regular pre-ride inspections, as we mentioned above. This is a great way to catch minor issues before they become major problems.
  2. Run your tires at the correct inflation. Over- or under-inflation can lead to uneven weight distribution and cause certain parts of the tire to wear more quickly than others.
  3. Rotate your tires regularly. This helps to even out tread wear.
  4. Keep your tires out of the sun when you’re not riding. Direct sunlight is the main cause of dry rot and tire cracks.
  5. Keep them clean and use a tire protectant. Give your tires a good washing at least once a month and use a protective product to fight back against those harmful UV rays.
  6. Don’t overload your ATV. Be mindful of your machine’s weight limit and don’t make your tires work harder than they have to.
  7. Use the right size tire for your machine. Running tires that are too large can cause them to rub against your frame and wear out more quickly.
  8. Match your tires to your terrain. If you have specialized tires, only use them on that specific terrain. It’ll get you the best performance and help your tires last longer.
  9. Avoid wheelies and donuts. We know, we know… those tricks are really fun. But they also place a bunch of unnecessary wear on your tires, so use them sparingly.
ATV tires
Proper care and maintenance helps to maximize the life of your ATV tires. It also improves your machine’s performance, so you can be sure you’re getting the most out of each ride.

Tire maintenance is an investment, but it’s worth it if you want a smooth ride and top machine performance. To really make that investment go far, opt for a quality set of tires suited to your ride style. The next time you’re in the market for new ATV tires, check out what SuperATV has to offer. Whether you need specialized mud tires or an aggressive all-terrain set, we’re here to keep your quad looking good and performing even better.

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