You must have experienced this. While preparing your motorbike to go on a trip, suddenly there is a strange smell. At first you must have thought it was the smell of oil on the road. But then the smell got sharper. It smells like burnt rubber or an unusual chemical aroma. And it turns out that the strange smell comes from your motorbike tires.
Don't worry, this often happens and is experienced by many motorbike users. This strange smell can be a sign that there is damage to your motorbike. Don't take it lightly, because something as small as a smell can be an alarm for driving safety. Let's discuss it in more detail at otomodify.
Burnt smell from tires
When you find a burnt smell or the smell of burning rubber, the first thing you need to check is the brakes and tire pressure. This smell often appears if:
- The brake pads stick to the disc
- The motorbike has just gone down a long incline (the brakes are continuously pressed)
- The tire pressure is low, so the tire surface is in more contact with the asphalt
The result? the tires become excessively hot. This excessive heat if left unchecked can melt the motorbike tires. The worst can even cause the tire to burst suddenly on the road.
New tire smell
If you have just replaced your old motorcycle tire with a new tire and your new tire emits a strong chemical odor, don't worry, this is normal. This is because new tires have a protective layer from the factory.
The chemical odor of new tires will usually disappear within 1-2 weeks. If it has been used for a long time and the same odor or even stronger is still smelled, there could be another problem. Such as oil or chemicals that stick to the tire. If in doubt, immediately take it to the repair shop where you replaced the tire or a trusted repair shop.
Burning smell
Have you ever pushed a motorbike and it felt heavy? This is a sign that the wheel bearings are worn out or the brakes are stuck. If the motorbike is forced to run in this condition, friction in the wheel area increases drastically. The effects are:
- Excessive heat appears from the disc
- A burnt or musty smell appears from the tire area
And this is very dangerous. Because not only the tire is affected, but the wheel structure can also be damaged.
Tire rubber melts due to exhaust
Especially for modified motorbikes or motorbikes that use racing exhausts, sometimes the tip of the exhaust is too close to the tire. The heat from the exhaust can immediately melt the side of the tire and cause a strange smell from the motorbike. This will be worse if the exhaust mount is not proper. Immediately check with the nearest repair shop, because besides being dangerous, melting tires can cause tires to wear out quickly or even leak.
Smell from brake pads
Sometimes we think that many odors arise due to tire friction or melted tires. It turns out that tire pads can also emit a strange smell. This is a sign that the brake pads are too hot. Brake pads will emit a strange smell if you do:
- Continuous sudden braking
- Going downhill
- Carrying heavy loads
- Strange smell from flat tires
This flat tire smell usually smells like a burnt or burning smell. Why does this happen? If you use a motorbike with flat tires, the friction will be wider with the road, this makes it heat up quickly and then causes a burnt smell from the motorbike.
Old tire rubber starts to rot
Like other components, motorbike tires also have a service life. The tire life is usually a maximum of 3-5 years depending on use and storage. Tires that are too old can:
- Emit a "rotten rubber" smell
- Feel harder than usual
- Fine cracks appear on the sides or treads
If this happens, it's better to replace them immediately. Because the tire structure is no longer elastic and is prone to bursting at high speeds.
Exposed to chemical spills
Motorcycle tires or parts of the motorbike that are exposed to oil, diesel, gasoline, or strong cleaning fluids can produce an unusual sharp odor. The smell will be even sharper if this spill hits the motorbike tires. This is because the tire rubber will absorb these substances and emit a chemical aroma that stings the nose. Worse still, tires can degrade. Tires become more brittle, slippery, or even have fine cracks on their surface.
How to prevent strange odors on motorbikes:
- Maintain the recommended air pressure
- Avoid tires from coming into contact with hard liquids
- Store the motorbike in a dry and clean place
- Clean the bottom of the motorbike at least once a week
- Check the brake pads and bearings regularly
Strange odors, don't take it lightly.
If you keep smelling strange odors from your motorbike, don't take it lightly. These strange smells are actually a sign that your motorbike needs more attention. The first step you can take:
- Check the tire pressure
- See if there is any strange fluid around the tire
- Check if the brakes keep sticking
- See the physical condition of the tire, whether there are cracks, brittleness, or animal droppings
- Listen for any rubbing sounds
If the steps above still can't solve the problem of the strange smell on your motorbike, take it to a repair shop immediately. Because it's better to check it early than waiting for the motorbike to explode on the road.