Adventure Bike Rider Forum

I'm assuming that it DOESN'T SAY NHS anywhere--which should make it ok for UK road use?

JediMaster wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2019 8:52 amA day later the tyre arrived and sure enough it is stamped DOT, just like the one currently fitted to my bike.

Having a DOT stamp on the tyre means nothing in the UK. The DOT stamp is for the USA market (just like the DOT stamp on helmets). To be road legal in the UK or the EU the tyre will need to have an E4 or E11 stamp to show that it has passed EU type approval.

Isn't having an equivalent standard Ok though? (Like helmets)

Steve

bowber wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:16 pm Isn't having an equivalent standard Ok though? (Like helmets)

Steve

If you have a helmet that is only DOT approved, i.e. with no EU approval, it is not legal to use it within the European Union. The same applies to tyres, etc.

You should see the FortNine video on DOT approval for motorcycles helmets... it'll make your toes curl and also make you realise how good CE approval is in comparison.

Here it is:

This is what the MoT tester's guide says (bear in mind a vehicle can pass an MoT and still be illegal)

Examples of unsuitable tyres:

a. side car tyres or car tyres on a solo machine (note side car outfits may be fitted with 'solo' type tyres on any wheel);

b. Motocross or similar tyres, i.e. tyres where the space between tread blocks is substantially greater than the size of the blocks themselves; which do not have MST (multi service tyre) with an 'E' in a circle or an e in a rectangle moulded into or on to the tyre wall


c. tyres designated by their manufacture as unsuitable for road use e.g. racing tyres or those marked NHS or NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE on the sidewall.

d. a tyre specifically designed for front wheel use fitted to the rear wheel;

e. a bias belted tyre fitted to the front with a cross-ply tyre fitted to the rear wheel

f. a radial tyre fitted to the front and a cross ply or bias belted tyre fitted to the rear wheel

On radial tyres care should be taken to distinguish between normal manufacturing undulations in the carcass and lumps or bulges caused by structural deterioration.

Where the engine capacity is not greater than 50cc, tread depth may be less than 1 mm, if the tread pattern is clearly visible around the entire circumference and across the whole breadth of the tread.

Directional tyres these tyres must be fitted in accordance with the instructions on the sidewall. The direction of forward rotation is indicated by an arrow, words or both.

Tyres which do not meet the three-quarters width rule when new must have a minimum of 1 mm tread over the whole of the original tread pattern.

'Breadth of tread' means that part of the tread which can contact the road in normal use. Including cornering.

'Tread pattern' excludes tie-bars, tread wear indicators, features designed to wear out substantially before the rest of the pattern and other minor features. Original tread pattern must be taken into account when assessing tread wear.

The position of tread wear indicators
are normally marked TW1 on the side wall of the tyre in line with the tread wear indicator-

It would appear from the above that the Super Explorer should pass an MoT...the requirement for an E-mark applies only to MX-style tyres with more void than block in the tread pattern. I can't see an E mark on the front Explorer Sport either.

I drew this when I worked for Maxxis tyres in their marketing department. It explains the markings.