APRILIA Atlantic 500 Workshop Manual page 58

Routine maintenance operations
Atlantic 500
If the tire is underinflated (pressure is too low), the
sidewalls (1) are under greater stress and the tire
itself may slip or detach from the rim with conse-
quent loss of control.
The tires may slip off the rims if the rider brakes
suddenly, and the vehicle may skid on curves.
1
2
Check the surface state and wear, since tires in
poor condition do not adhere properly to the road
and adversely affect vehicle handling.
Some types of tires, approved for use on this
vehicle, come equipped with wear indicators.
Various kinds of wear indicators are available.
Ask your local dealer for instructions on how to
check for wear.
Visually inspect the tire condition and have them
replaced if they are worn.
If the tires are old, even if they are not completely
worn out, they may harden and be unable to
ensure good adherence.
In this case have the tires replaced.
Have the tire replaced if worn or if the tread area
contains any puncture larger than 0.196 in (5 mm)
across.
After repairing a tire, have the wheels balanced.
Use only tires of the size indicated by the manu-
facturer, see (TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS).
Never install tires with inner tubes on rims for
tubeless tires, and vice-versa.
Make sure the inflation valves are always capped,
to prevent the tires from deflating suddenly.
Changing, repairing, maintaining and balancing
the tires are all very important tasks; they must
therefore be carried out using the appropriate
tools and expertise.
We therefore recommend that you contact your
nearest aprilia dealer or tire specialist to perform
the aforementioned operations.
If the tires are new, they may be covered with a
slippery coating: drive carefully for the first few
miles. Do not grease the tires with inappropriate
substances.
2-29
chap. 2
Release 00 2002-09