Motorcycle Tire Size

The motorcycle tire is the crucial outer component of the motorcycle wheel, directly connected to the rim. It delivers essential traction, durability against wear, absorption of surface irregularities, and enables the motorcycle to turn through countersteering. The contact patches of the two tires serve as the motorcycle's vital link to the ground. They significantly influence its suspension behavior, safety, braking, fuel economy, noise levels, and rider comfort.

Motorcycle tires are suitable for a wide range of applications, including Sport, Sport Touring, Touring, Scooter, On/Off Road, Dual-Sport, Enduro, Motocross, and Racing. These tires cater to different types of motorcycles such as dirtbikes, touring, sport, and cruiser bikes.

The most popular tire types

Sport Touring tires are suitable for long-distance travel rather than high cornering loads. Conversely, Sport Street tires are great for aggressive street riders who spend most of their time navigating public roadways and prioritize high-speed cornering. It's important to note that street and sport street tires offer good traction even at low temperatures. However, excessive warming can cause a decrease in traction as their internal temperature rises.

Track or Slick tires are specifically designed for track days or races, featuring a potentially triangular profile that offers a larger contact patch while leaned over. The triangular shape of the tire results in a reduced contact patch in the center, causing the tire to develop a flat spot more quickly when used for extended periods. They also lack tread elements, leading to a significant loss of grip in wet conditions.

Racing slicks are typically constructed from a softer rubber compound. Also, they require a higher internal temperature to achieve optimal traction, unlike street tires. In most street riding scenarios, the necessary friction to maintain the slick's optimal tire temperature is not generated, especially in colder climates or during the spring and fall seasons.

Off-road tires feature knobby, deep treads to maximize traction on loose dirt, mud, sand, or gravel. However, these tires may exhibit reduced stability when used on paved surfaces.

Touring tires typically use harder rubber for enhanced durability. While they may have a longer lifespan, they generally offer less grip than sport tires at optimal operating temperatures. However, touring tires compensate by providing more grip at lower temperatures, making them suitable for cold or winter riding conditions.

The properties of Motorcycle tires

The performance, handling, and stability of a motorcycle depend on various properties of its tires:

• Rolling resistance: This refers to the resistance encountered when a tire rolls on a flat surface. The rolling resistance tends to increase with forward speed while decreasing with higher inflation pressures.
  
  
• Cornering force: This represents the lateral force produced by a vehicle tire during cornering. The cornering force of motorcycle tires generally decreases with increased vertical load, higher inflation pressure, and elevated temperature.
  
  
• Pneumatic trail: This refers to a trail-like effect generated by compliant tires rolling on a hard surface and experiencing side loads, such as during a turn. It signifies the distance at which the resultant cornering force of side slip occurs behind the geometric center of the contact patch.
  
  
• Relaxation length: This describes the duration between the introduction of a slip angle and when the cornering force reaches its steady-state value.

The best Motorcycle tires

When it comes to motorcycle tires, several brands stand out for their quality and performance. Bridgestone, Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, and Avon offer reliable and long-lasting tires for various motorcycles. These brands have a focus on both performance and longevity, ensuring maximum satisfaction. For the best motorcycle tires, NeoTires stands out as the number one store on the market, offering a wide selection and top-notch customer service.