Roadway Tire

Besides size, motocycle tires are very different from the tires found on standard passenger vehicles.  One similarity though, is that just like standard passenger vehicle tires, you can find all of the data you need on the sides of the motorcycle tires. 

Size

Motorcycle tires tell the driver the width, height and diameter, in that order.  The leftmost number is the width of the tire, in millimeters.  Width is determined by measuring from one side of the tire’s tread to the other.  The middle number, usually a two digit number, is the aspect ratio.  The aspect ratio is the result between the width of the tire and the height.  A larger aspect ratio usually translates to a tire that is particularly tall.  The rightmost number, also usually two digits, is the diameter of the tire, expressed in inches.   Sometimes, size is expressed with simply the middle number, the aspect ration and the diameter.  When that type of sizing appears on the label though, MT preceeds the aspect ratio.  MT is the accepted abbreviation for Motorcycle Tire.

Speed Ratings

When you are reading motorcycle tires, you will often find extra letters that point to the speed capability of the tire.  Most of the time, the final letter will be either an “R” or a “B”.  “R” tells the driver that the tire is of radial construction and “B” tells the driver that the tires are belted bias.  The letter preceeding the “R” or the “B” tells the driver what the speed rating is.  For example, a “T” speed rating motorcycle tire should not be driven in excess of 118 mph. 

One difference that exists between motorcycle tires and passenger vehicle tires, though, is the fact that motorcycle tires can be tubeless.

In today’s world, things can change quite fast. What is standard and accepted one day can become obsolete in an instant. This can be applied to areas other than technology, of course. Access to information has made its dissemination a near light-speed endeavor. People can get their news from everywhere and anywhere conceivable, and it seems that keeping up on this changing world is an industry in and of itself. There have been some recent news stores from the automotive and tire industries that we have covered on this blog, and recent developments in these stories have come to light. We shall cover these in an effort to keep you, the reader, informed.

Recently, a proposed move by the Environmental Protection Agency to reclassify scrap tires as solid waste was announced. If put into effect, the rule would hamper two years of progress in reducing scrap tire waste and lessening tires’ environmental impact. The move would place expensive controls on plants who manufacture tire-derived fuels, an industry that uses the majority of the United States’ scrap tires. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), a 1,550-member strong group, is urging the EPA to reconsider this rule change. ISRI insists that, although producing TDFs is necessary, it would like to see a move toward using scrap tires in manufacturing products such as rubber asphalt.

The state of Virginia has recently made public plans to build a tire research and development center on the grounds of the Virginia International Raceway. The center is to be a collaboration between the state, Virginia Tech University, General Motors, and yet-to-be-announced tire manufacturers. The goal is to provide a centralized center for testing and tire research. It was disclosed that the center will be run and managed by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and that the center will generate 183 new jobs for the state and a $12 million in research expenditures.

Being a good driver means that you are always mindful of every move you make on the road.  Even though driving may seem like second nature, a mindful driver knows that all of his or her attention should always be focused on driving.  Conversations with passengers and selecting music always comes after safety.

Make That Turn

Every driver who has spent a good amount of time on the road knows that those who follow driving rules sometimes seems few and far between.  Even though you know that you have the right of way, a driver who has no regard for others may run the light.  It is always better to defer to the driver who would rather put people in harm’s way, than confront them.  The risks are high, and not worth the effort to point out that he or she was in the wrong.

Maintain Your Vehicle

The main reason your vehicle should be in excellent working condition is to be able to drive away quickly.  If your tires aren’t properly inflated, and you inadvertently drive over broken glass, then you would suffer the consequences.  Having brakes that are able to stop at a moment’s notice helps you to avoid an accident with someone who isn’t paying as much attention to the road as you are.  In the long run, you are helping yourself greatly by keeping your vehicle maintained.  Not only are you saving money on maintenance, by keeping all of the schedules, but you can save money on your insurance premiums by avoiding the accidents.  A well maintained vehicle keeps you safe and saves you money.

Thinking of automobiles often leads one to dreams of racing along the coastline or traveling through a sunlit forest. Speed is not a factor, and there is just enough danger to elicit excitement. All parts are in working order, the tires are inflated, the gas tank is full, and the radio is playing an all-time favorite. Driving represents freedom, and has transformed American culture forever. There is an ever-present factor that very few people seem to be truly in tune with. It is an integral part of the trip and, indeed, there cannot be a trip without it. Of course, we’re talking about the actual road here.

It is really only when the roadway or driving surface is adversely affecting the drive that anyone is truly aware it exists. All drivers are taught to keep their eyes on the road for safety purposes, but it becomes just another thing that most people take for granted. Sure, everyone complains when the road gets too icy in the winter or when a pothole forms in the middle of it. Very few people actually give much thought to it, to how it affects the vehicle and even how the vehicle can affect the driving surface. An interesting take on the roadways’ very composition is being considered, and this just might make a few more people aware of this oft-forgotten aspect of the road trip.

While it is not a new technology, rubber asphalt is emerging once again on America’s roadways. Conventional driving surfaces are of concrete composition, which has a tendency to crack and must be replaced often if the road is well-traveled. Rubber asphalt uses ground waste tires as an additive to the asphalt concrete mix. The result is a surface that is quieter, easier to grip and more resistant to cracking. That last characteristic ensures a better-performing roadway that requires less maintenance and is therefore cost-effective, as well as providing a new use for scrap tires. Several states, such as Arizona, California and Texas are using and testing this new material. Liberty Tire Recycling, based out of Pittsburgh, PA is attempting to bring the material into a more public arena and is building a case of its consideration.

The eco-friendly stance of modern auto makers has been the cause of some brilliant ideas. Alternative fuel sources are being developed to replace the need for pollutive and nonrenewable fossil fuels. Emphasis on a sleeker, more efficient design model for vehicle bodies is being pursued in the interest of conserving fuel. Less pollution-intensive manufacturing practices are being introduced in conjunction with environmentally-friendly parts. How well a particular part conserves fuel is now a major factor in the purchasing phase. The trend is catching on, and radical new ideas are being tested every day.

Of course, the ultimate goal here is to maintain a balance between vehicle performance and efficiency, and to achieve this goal while minimizing environmental harm. This type of thinking has been the norm over the past few years, and has provided the auto industry with a whole new avenue of innovation. Lately, the industry’s leading concept designers have been looking to nature for ways and means to offset emissions and generally clean things up. A new concept car from China presents a startling and, to say the least, unorthodox view of what may come.

The Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) is a joint-venture partner with General Motors, something of their China branch. They have announced and presented a new concept car this year that looks as interesting as it works. The YeZ (Mandarin for ‘leaf’) model takes more than its aesthetic from its namesake. The roof of the vehicle resembles a leaf and features solar panels, and the wheels feature small wind turbines for added energy input. What is clever about the vehicle is something that has yet to be fully realized: the car is to be designed to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, through a process known as ‘artificial photosynthesis,’ convert the gas to oxygen. The idea is based on the process of actual photosynthesis, a method that plant life uses to convert carbon dioxide and nutrients into oxygen and food, all in the presence of sunlight. The actual photosynthesis technology for the YeZ is still a long way off, but is expected to become fully viable in twenty years time.

Many people equate tires with cars, bicycles and motorcycles, yet there is one more vehicle that depends on their tires.  Airplanes must have tires in excellent working order before flying.  While airplanes are not known for their ability to drive on the highways, airplane tires are put through a lot.

Hot Temperatures

Airplanes transport people everywhere.  The tires on an airplane have to stop in all different types of weather conditions.  From the heat of the Sahara, to the cold snowy weather during winter, an airplane must conduct business as usual.  So it goes without saying, that airplane tires are put through lots of abuse.  The tires on the airplane enable the airplane to land, stop and take off, so they must be sturdy and properly inflated.  Airplane tires are filled with nitrogen, which is a logical choice, because nitrogen doesn’t expand when in high altitudes.  Being able to withstand high pressure situations is also a requisite for airplane tires.  Tires on an aircraft must be able to function in all types of emergency situations, so it makes sense that those tires should be more durable.

Certified

Airplane tires must be approved by the Federal Aviation Agency’s (FAA) Technical Standard Order System (TSO).  Tires that are approved have passed all of the necessary tests, so they are ready for take off, per se.  One test that airplane tires must pass is the ability to not explode in high pressure situations.  There is a lot riding on the tires of any given aircraft, so it’s very important that each airplane tires pass all standards.

Tires are the driving force for many vehicles.  Just like passenger tires, they must be always checked, maintained, and changed.  Driving on faulty tires is dangerous and for airplane operators, is not an option.

Tires that have driven too long are usually collected and kept in a facility that houses them.  As long as tires are kept dry, they are harmless.  However, if an old tire is filled with water, that’s a different story.

Collection Efforts

Many states are heading efforts in order to avert problems with mosquitoes.  If mosquitoes learn that tires have been left out, it could be a dangerous situation.  While not all mosquitoes are not responsible for the West Nile Virus, it is better to err on the side of caution and eliminate everything related to mosquitoes.  So states like Michigan and Massachusetts are actually collecting tires that people may have forgotten to dispose of properly.

Prevention

The best way to eliminate the problem is to simply not have any standing water,.  There are other ways too address the problem, though.  Drilling holes in tires, allowing water to drain out of them, is another way to avert the problem of mosquitoes.   However, the most effective way is to simply take away everything that has the capability of collecting water.  For businesses that collect tires in order to convert them for fuel, ripping the tires apart into shreds is the best solution.  Tires that are shredded can’t hold anything, so there is absolutely no risk of them harboring harmful mosquitoes.  And in the end, the shredded scrap tires can be turned into electric fuel, which only enhances the usefulness of tires.  So the best way to dispose of a tire is to give them to a waste disposal site so that they could be given to the proper agency.

These days, everyone could use a little extra cash. Saving a few dollars here and there can add up at the end of the year, and there are a number of people who could benefit from more frugal habits. You never know when the money could come in handy, be it in the form of an emergency or to be stashed away for a weekend getaway. That cushion, that ’security blanket,’ so to speak, can be incredibly useful. There are many ways that the frugal-minded person can save some cash, chief among them being with their vehicles. That is not to say that it is a good idea to skimp on routine maintenance or to use substandard replacement parts, neither of these are good ideas. Saving money with the family vehicle is as simple as keeping the tires in working order.

Keeping the tires properly inflated, checking them for wear on a weekly basis and driving carefully are all practices that can save drivers money. Coupled with regular check-ups for the rest of the vehicle, a safe ride and a little extra cash at the end of the month will be the result. With new innovations in tire technology and a better understanding of the physics of driving, manufacturers have determined that a mixture of new production methods and tire design can reduce the amount of work the engine has to do. This, in turn, conserves fuel and saves money. This aspect of tire production has become such a selling point on the consumer market that even the major industry watchdogs have taken notice.

Tire Rack, a website dedicated to independent inspection and distribution of consumer tires, has announced that it will integrate a fuel efficiency rating into its battery of tire tests. The site promises to relate the information on fuel economy to the drivers’ daily lives, providing them with a realistic idea of how much money and fuel they are likely to save. This aspect of testing, albeit with one of the more well-known distributors in the industry, is still in its infancy. This simply means that, further on down the road, a more accurate market for fuel-efficient tires (as well as other vehicle parts) can be established.

Driving on city streets and freeways is an art.  You have to be courteous, but manage to protect your vehicle in the process.  That’s why maintaining your vehicle is of utmost importance.  Being able to drive through bad situations safely is the main reason why you should keep your car in excellent running condition.

Fast Brakes

Besides always having properly inflated tires, your brakes should always be in excellent order.  Your tires can’t stop effectively without working brakes, so maintaining the condition of your brakes is very important.  As a driver, being able to stop quickly makes all the difference between getting to your destination on time and being able to drive another day.  When you drive, turn off the radio and just focus on the sounds that emit from your car.  If you are familiar with how your car should sound, then you will notice immediately if something is awry.  Brakes often squeal to alert the driver that change is imminent, so be sure to listen for noises that don’t usually accompany your driving routine.

Sufficient Fuel

Unless you are completely positive that you have enough fuel in your vehicle to make it to your destination, your car should always contain more gas than you need.  Driving in your car sometimes leads you to destinations not previously planned.   And if you are unfamiliar with the area, you don’t want to drive with a car that is running on empty.  Being safe is always the number one priority of driving, and having the ability to drive away when necessary requires sufficient fuel. 

Driving is synonymous with good times and freedom.  However, with freedom comes responsibility.  When you drive responsibly, you can still be calm in the middle of an unexpected situation, and not make others nervous.  Plus, the reward for driving responsibly is better insurance rates.   So, stay safe and reap the benefits.

It is no secret that the transportation industry is a major source of environmental harm. From the manufacturing of vehicles to their everyday use to their fuel needs, this great bastion of human progress is having quite a hand in polluting the only home humans have ever known. That might seem like quite the proclamation, but it is indeed true. However, the past few decades have seen significant steps taken by the major players of the automotive and manufacturing industries to cut back on pollutive business practices. A more environmentally-friendly stance overall has been seen, and new technological innovations have proven that the movement is here to stay.

Therefore, it makes the following news all the more baffling. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is, reportedly, considering a reclassification of sorts regarding a major source of vehicle-related pollution: tires. It generally takes about seven to eight gallons of gasoline to manufacture one tires, and its manufacturing makes it incredibly difficult to get rid of after it has reached the end of its usable life. There are steps being taken, in the form of tire-derived fuels (TDFs), fuels that, as the name suggests, have been created from waste and scrap tire parts. A decrease in scrap-tire-related pollution has seen a decrease as a result of this technology, and the process is becoming a cleaner and more efficient alternative to conventional fuels.

The EPA is proposing a new rule that would reclassify scrap tires as solid waste, rather than a fuel source. This would mean that companies and individuals, because of this classification, would be required to put in place new emission controls if they were to continue to use TDFs. Implementing these controls would be expensive, and many users of TDFs for industry say that they are unnecessary, that they are not needed for fuel sources that are more pollutive. If put in place, the EPA sanctions could lead to an increase in illegal scrap tire dumping, leading to further waste and environmental pollution.