Motorcycle tires, as the sole contact points between the motorcycle and the ground, hold paramount significance. Whether you’re chasing the exhilarating speed or savoring a leisurely riding moment, the appropriate tires can safeguard and enhance your riding experience. Today, let’s thoroughly explore how to select a tire that suits your motorcycle.
To more intuitively compare the characteristics, application scenarios, and relevant data of different types of tires, first refer to the following table:
| Comparison Dimension | Street Tires | Off – road Tires | Racing Tires |
| Tread Pattern Characteristics | Fine and continuous tread pattern | Wide and deep block tread pattern with large gaps | Special soft rubber compound, relatively shallow tread pattern with a focus on high – speed air flow guidance |
| Grip Performance | Good grip on both dry and wet roads, with balanced overall performance | Strong grip on soft and rugged terrains, emphasizing off – road conditions | Exceptionally strong grip after quickly reaching the operating temperature in a short time, especially during high – speed cornering and intense driving |
| Wear Resistance (Normal Service Mileage) | 10,000 – 15,000 kilometers | 3,000 – 8,000 kilometers | 1,000 – 2,000 kilometers |
| Application Scenarios | Urban commuting, short – distance travel | Off – road riding, forest trail traversal | Professional track riding, high – performance racing events |
| Additional Features | Wet braking distance can be shortened by approximately 10% | High noise and increased rolling resistance when driving on the road, with fuel consumption per 100 kilometers 1 – 2 liters higher than that of street tires | When cornering at 200 km/h, it provides 20% – 30% more lateral grip than ordinary street tires |
| Rolling Resistance | Low, conducive to fuel savings during daily riding | High due to tread design and application | Moderate, but can maintain stable rolling performance at high speeds |
| Price Range | Relatively affordable, with high cost – effectiveness | Large price range, with mid – to – low – end products meeting general off – road needs | High – priced, due to the cost of materials and processes for pursuing extreme performance |
| Handling Response | Stable handling, with linear steering feedback | Flexible steering in off – road environments, adaptable to complex terrains | Quick steering response, capable of precisely executing the rider’s operations, suitable for high – speed competition |
| Comfort | Good comfort on flat roads | Poor comfort when driving on the road due to tread and application | Ensures a certain level of comfort through good grip in a racing environment, but poor comfort for daily use |
I. Characteristics and Application Scenarios of Different Types of Tires
(1) Street Tires
Street tires are the most prevalent type. Their design is centered around delivering reliable performance and a long service life under daily road conditions. Their tread patterns are typically fine and continuous. This design can effectively drain water, thereby enhancing grip on both dry and wet roads. For example, the Michelin Pilot Street tire’s tread pattern enables rapid water expulsion on wet roads, reducing the skidding risk. Compared with ordinary tires, its wet braking distance can be shortened by about 10%. In terms of wear resistance, under normal riding conditions, it can generally cover 10,000 – 15,000 kilometers based on actual tests. These tires are suitable for daily riding scenarios such as urban commuting and short – distance trips.
(2) Off – road Tires
The design concept of off – road tires is entirely different from that of street tires. They feature wide and deep block treads with large gaps between the blocks. This is to offer robust grip and self – cleaning capabilities in soft soil, sand, or rugged mountainous areas. Take the Dunlop D908RR off – road tire as an illustration. Its unique tread design allows the tire to sink to a certain depth in soft sand. Through the tight engagement between the blocks and the sand, it can generate a powerful driving force, facilitating the motorcycle to easily navigate through various complex terrains. However, due to their tread characteristics, when driving on the road, they produce relatively high noise and increased rolling resistance, resulting in relatively higher fuel consumption. Generally, the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is 1 – 2 liters more than that of street tires. Off – road tires are mainly applicable to off – road riding, forest trail crossing, and other activities.
(3) Racing Tires
Racing tires are engineered for riders who pursue ultimate performance and can perform optimally in a racing environment. They adopt a special soft rubber compound that can rapidly reach the operating temperature in a short period, thus providing extremely strong grip. For instance, the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP racing tire, in track tests, can offer an additional 20% – 30% lateral grip compared to ordinary street tires when cornering at a speed of 200 km/h, allowing riders to take corners with greater confidence. Nevertheless, the wear resistance of such tires is poor. Under high – intensity track use, they may only be able to cover 1,000 – 2,000 kilometers. Racing tires are mainly suitable for professional track riding and high – performance racing events.
II. The Importance of Tire Specifications
Tire specifications encompass several crucial pieces of information, such as tire width, aspect ratio, inner diameter, etc. Take the common specification 120/70ZR17 as an example. “120” denotes that the tire width is 120 mm. A wider tire usually offers better stability and grip but also increases the difficulty of vehicle handling. “70” represents the aspect ratio, which is the percentage of the tire height to the width. A lower aspect ratio can improve the vehicle’s handling response speed, yet the comfort level will decline. “ZR” indicates that the tire is suitable for high – speed driving, with a maximum speed rating exceeding 240 km/h. “17” is the inner diameter of the tire, measured in inches, and must match the size of the motorcycle wheel hub. If tires with mismatched specifications are randomly replaced, it may lead to a degradation in the vehicle’s handling performance and even endanger driving safety. For example, installing a tire with too narrow a width on a large – displacement motorcycle may cause the vehicle to be unstable at high speeds.
III. Tire Maintenance
(1) Air Pressure Check
Maintaining normal tire air pressure is the key to extending tire life and ensuring riding safety. Generally, the air pressure standard for motorcycle tires is indicated in the vehicle’s user manual or on the side of the tire. For example, for common street motorcycle tires, the air pressure of the front tire is typically between 2.0 – 2.2 (unit: bar), and the air pressure of the rear tire is between 2.2 – 2.5. It is advisable to check the tire air pressure at least once a week, especially before a long trip. Excessively high air pressure will cause increased wear in the center of the tire and reduce grip; excessively low air pressure will cause the tire to deform more, increase rolling resistance, and may also lead to premature tire damage. By regularly and accurately checking the air pressure, the tire life can be extended by approximately 20% – 30%.
(2) Wear Check
Regularly inspecting the wear of the tires is also of great significance. Tires usually have wear marks. When the tread depth of the tire wears close to the mark, it is necessary to consider replacing the tire. Generally, when the tread depth of street tires wears to 1.6 – 2.0 mm, it should be replaced in a timely manner. For example, during daily riding, if uneven wear of the tire tread is detected, it may imply that there is an issue with the vehicle’s suspension system or wheel alignment, and it needs to be repaired promptly. Additionally, about every 5,000 kilometers of riding, the front and rear tires can be interchanged (if the tires support front – rear interchange), which can make the tire wear more uniform and extend the overall service life.
(3) Cleaning and Maintenance
During the riding process, various impurities such as dust, sediment, and oil will adhere to the tire surface. These impurities not only affect the appearance of the tire but may also corrode the tire rubber. After each ride, the tire surface can be cleaned with clean water and a mild detergent, and then dried with a clean towel. It should be noted that detergents containing acidic or alkaline components should be avoided to prevent damage to the tire. For some stubborn stains, specialized tire cleaning products can be used. Regular cleaning and maintenance contribute to maintaining the good performance of the tire and reducing tire aging and damage caused by impurity erosion.
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IV. Frequently Asked Questions
(1) How often should tires be replaced?
This depends on multiple factors, including riding habits, road conditions, and tire types. Generally, if street tires are used normally, they need to be replaced after traveling 8,000 – 15,000 kilometers; off – road tires, due to the harsh usage environment, wear out more quickly and may need to be replaced after 3,000 – 8,000 kilometers; the replacement cycle of racing tires is even shorter, usually within 1,000 – 2,000 kilometers. Moreover, if the tire shows obvious wear, cracks, bulges, etc., it should be replaced immediately.
(2) What are the differences between different brands of tires?
Tires of different brands vary in performance, quality, price, etc. Some well – known brands like Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop, etc., typically invest heavily in technology research and development. Their products perform excellently in terms of grip, wear resistance, handling, etc., but the price is relatively high. While some niche brands or domestic tires may be slightly inferior in some performances but are more cost – effective. For example, Michelin tires perform outstandingly in wetland performance, and Pirelli tires have an edge in track performance. Consumers can make selections according to their own needs and budgets.
(3) Can tires of different brands be used in combination?
It is not recommended to use tires of different brands in combination. Tires of different brands differ in rubber compounds, tread designs, hardness, etc. Using them in combination may lead to unbalanced handling performance of the vehicle and affect riding safety. For example, using different brand tires for the front and rear wheels may result in inconsistent grip between the front and rear wheels, which is likely to pose a danger when braking or cornering. If you need to replace tires, it is advisable to choose tires of the same brand and the same model.
(4) What is the significance of the tire speed rating?
The tire speed rating indicates the maximum speed that the tire can endure. For example, a tire with a speed rating of “H” has a maximum speed of 210 km/h; a tire with a speed rating of “V” has a maximum speed of 240 km/h. When choosing tires, it is essential to ensure that the speed rating of the tire can meet the maximum driving speed requirements of the motorcycle. If a tire with too low a speed rating is used, the tire may burst or encounter other dangerous situations at high speeds due to being unable to withstand the excessive speed.
(5) How to improve tire grip?
Firstly, it is necessary to select tires suitable for your riding scenario. For example, choose racing tires when riding on the track and choose tires with good water – drainage performance when riding on wet roads. Secondly, keep the tire air pressure normal, as both too low and too high air pressure will affect grip. In addition, regularly clean the tire surface to avoid debris attachment. During the riding process, reasonably control the speed and driving method, and avoid aggressive operations such as sudden braking, sudden acceleration, and high – speed cornering, which also helps to maintain tire grip.
I hope this article can assist motorcycle enthusiasts in making more informed decisions when selecting tires and enable them to enjoy a safe and enjoyable riding journey.