Motorcycle Tire Guide

Here's some wisdom for choosing new treads. Thousands of engineering hours and hundreds of horsepower count for nothing unless you can put them to the ground. And since motorcycles have half the tires that cars have, we should be twice as conscientious about choosing the right ones. With this guide, making a wise decision is going to be easy. Even before we begin, you could read the recommendation in your owner's manual and find a tire with matching codes. But isn't it better to understand what those codes actually mean? And to anticipate how they will translate into an epic ride? That's the goal of this guide.

What Size, Speed, Load and Construction of Tire to Choose

That seems like a lot to know. But don't worry - your owner's manual will tell you exactly what to choose.

Of course, some riders are a little more free-spirited. If you plan on deviating from the manufacturer's guidelines, there are a few acceptable ways to do it. But first, pay attention to the potential dangers!
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Motorcycle Tire Codes Decoded

Sidewall codes look like something the Germans cooked up during WWII. Shiza.

We want to help you break the enigma. Plus, every tire's sidewall has a few other mysterious markings that need explaining. This is essential knowledge for any motorcyclist. So if you've never learned to read a tire, now is the time.
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To Tube or Not to Tube?

The wrong choice can result in hot tires, leaky tires or popped tires. None of which you want.

There are also some obscure situations we should talk about. Can you put a tube in a tubeless tire? What happens if you run a tubeless tire on a tube-type rim? Etc. Etc.

You could find the answers to these questions the hard way. Or you could read this. Your call.
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Motorcycle Tire Load Capacity

It doesn't indicate how much your motorcycle can weigh. In everyday use, it probably isn't the load your tires can hold, either. Curious?

What "load capacity" actually means in real life is a finicky question. We break it down for you here.

There's even a handy chart for relating load indexes to weight in kilograms.
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Motorcycle Tire Speed Rating

It's not just about going fast. A tire's speed rating will have indirect consequences for cornering grip and stopping power.

For this reason, everyone should care about speed ratings. It doesn't matter if you plan on flirting with the motorcycle's maximum velocity or not. Choosing an adequate speed rating is an inherent part of choosing the right tire.
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Converting Motorcycle Tire Sizing Systems

Tire coding schemes use different languages. But they're talking about the same things!

It's not surprising that we can convert between sizing systems. Riders of vintage motorcycles will frequently need to change older coding schemes into newer ones when buying tires. Our conversion charts will help you translate.
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Types of Motorcycle Tires

Smooth ones for the road, knobby ones for the dirt, right? We think it's a little more complicated than that.

Different riding styles make different demands on a motorcycle tire. Accordingly, tires are made to compliment various types of bikes and bikers. How do these specializations work? And more importantly, how can you pick them out of a crowd?
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Motorcycle Tire Guide

Here's some wisdom for choosing new treads. Thousands of engineering hours and hundreds of horsepower count for nothing unless you can put them to the ground. And since motorcycles have half the tires that cars have, we should be twice as conscientious about choosing the right ones. With this guide, making a wise decision is going to be easy. Even before we begin, you could read the recommendation in your owner's manual and find a tire with matching codes. But isn't it better to understand what those codes actually mean? And to anticipate how they will translate into an epic ride? That's the goal of this guide.