Monsoon, potholes, overloading — what Indian roads do to tyres

Rubber degrades over time. Tyres older than 5-6 years from manufacture can lose grip and crack, even if tread looks good. This matters especially on wet monsoon roads where old tyres may not stop your bike safely.

Cold tyre pressure is the air pressure in your tyre measured when the bike has been parked for at least 2-3 hours, before riding. Check it in the morning before starting your commute, as riding heats the tyre and increases pressure readings.

A standardised sizing system that uses two numbers in millimeters (width-diameter format) to specify tyre and rim dimensions accurately. ETRTO makes it easy to match the correct tyre to your rim without confusion from older inch-based sizing.

A flat tyre is when a tyre loses air pressure, usually from a puncture caused by nails, glass, or potholes. This makes the tyre unable to support the bike's weight, forcing you to stop and get it repaired.

A heat cycle is when a tyre heats up during riding and then cools back to room temperature. Each cycle can affect the rubber compound's grip and durability, particularly important for new tyres during their break-in period.

A tyre marked NHS (Not for Highway Service) is designed only for racing or track use and cannot be legally ridden on public roads. These tyres prioritize maximum grip and performance over the durability needed for street riding.

Nitrogen inflation is filling your motorcycle or scooter tyre with nitrogen gas instead of regular compressed air. Nitrogen leaks out slower through the rubber, so the tyre holds pressure longer between checks and pressure remains more stable.

Overinflation occurs when a tyre is pumped with more air than the manufacturer recommends. This reduces the contact patch with the road, causing faster wear in the center of the tread and less grip, especially dangerous on monsoon-slick roads.

The natural process by which air slowly escapes through the rubber walls of a tyre over time, causing gradual pressure loss of 1-2 PSI per month even without any puncture or leak.

A method where a rubber plug is inserted into a puncture hole from the outside to seal it temporarily. Commonly used by roadside mechanics in India, it's a quick fix but not as reliable as a proper patch repair from the inside.

Physical damage to a tyre caused by hitting potholes, including cuts, bulges, or sidewall cracks. Common on Indian roads during monsoons, pothole impacts can cause sudden air loss or weaken the tyre's structure.

A tyre puncture happens when a sharp object like a nail, glass shard, or stone pierces the tyre, causing air to leak out. This is common on Indian roads with debris and potholes, and requires immediate repair or replacement.

The practice of swapping your front and rear tyres at regular intervals to ensure even wear across both tyres, extending their lifespan and maintaining consistent grip on Indian roads.

Underinflation means running your tyre with less air pressure than the manufacturer recommends. This causes faster wear on the edges, reduces fuel economy, makes handling feel sluggish, and increases the risk of punctures on rough Indian roads.

Fitting a wider or larger tyre than the manufacturer's original specification. It can improve grip and cornering but may reduce fuel economy and affect the speedometer reading.

A US rating system for passenger car tyres (not used on two-wheelers) that grades treadwear life, traction, and temperature resistance. You will not find UTQG ratings on bike or scooter tyres in India.

Tyre wet grip refers to how well a tyre holds the road surface when wet. Better wet grip means shorter braking distances and safer cornering on rain-soaked roads, especially important during monsoon season in India.