EBV tip: Be careful with the tire and rim combination

EBV tip: Be careful with the tire and rim combination

During the periodic §57a inspection, it is worthwhile as an inspection body to take a close look at the wheels of cars and motorcycles. It is not uncommon for wider or larger tires to be fitted. The rim width should also be taken into account, which can vary by 0.5 to one inch in order to be able to fit these wider tires. What looks legal at first glance because the wheel arches can completely accommodate the tires is not necessarily legal. 

Be careful with motorcycles

The wildest rim and tire combinations are known for cars from the tuning scene. Wider rear wheel rims are often used on motorcycles in order to be able to mount wider tires. Or, even more inconspicuously: it happens again and again that motorcyclists use tires that are not approved for road traffic. These are usually super sporty tires with special rubber compounds that promise more grip for sporty use, but are not road legal because they offer practically no grip in cool temperatures or in the wet.

If an end customer comes to the §57a inspection with a legal tire, the EBV has the function that allows the inspection body to digitally store the rim-tire combination using photos. The images ensure that the vehicle complied with the law at the time of the inspection. The tire type and profile should also be photographed. Some types of motorcycle tires have similar names to road tires and the profile looks almost the same, but they are actually pure racing tires. If a motorcyclist subsequently changes the tire to a super sporty racing tire and is involved in a check or even an accident, the owner cannot excuse himself from the fact that the motorcycle would have received such a valid sticker. The assessment body is thus prepared for an appeal and can prove that it carried out the correct assessment at the time.