The main benefit of metal valves is that you can buy them in 90-degree versions. You can fit either 11.3mm 90-degree metal valves (for newer Japanese bikes, mainly) or 8.3mm 90-degree valves, (for European bikes, mainly).
The fact they have the valve head at 90-degrees to the rim makes them much easier get at when checking and adjusting your motorcycle’s tyre pressures. As anyone who’s burnt the back of their hand on a front brake disc can tell you; it’s tricky to get at a regular valve. And you won’t forget that burn in a hurry!
The other benefit of metal valves over the rubber ones is that they will last pretty much as long as your bike. We know of valves we’ve supplied that are still in action and holding perfect pressure a decade on and there’s no reason they won’t last longer than 10 years.
You can also buy screw-on 90-degree valve adapter that fit onto a regular rubber valve but these have to be removed before you ride the bike, making them a bit more hassle than they’re worth.
Metal valves are slightly heavier than rubber valves but only by a few grams. They won’t know the balance of your wheel out and, obviously, when you fit new tyres, the fitter will balance the wheel properly, regardless of the type of valve.
Here at Two Tyres we don’t charge for your new rubber valves when replacing a tyre but some outfits do and when they do they charge between £1 and £2 per valve. So in a small way, right-angled metal valves make economic sense too.
But for us, the real advantage is the ease of access, which means you’re far more likely to check your pressures which in turn means you’ll be safer and get better mileage from your motorcycle tyre.
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