Motorcycles are huge fun. Nothing beats the excitement of handling your first and cruising on smooth highways or rough terrain depending on your preference. All motorcycle riders may be experts in everything motorcycle for instance, handling, specs, speed and such. However, the significance of motorcycle tires may well be forgotten by many riders and bike salesmen. Here, you will learn everything about motorcycle tires.
Size
Motorcycle tires come in different sizes for different types and uses of bikes. Rear tires tend to be bigger than front tires to provide equilibrium. Street bikes,for example, use bigger tires compared to dirt bikes or even on-road/off-road bikes to provide great cornering angles and good grip,surface conditions notwithstanding. Consult your brand retailer for more information, or visit the manufacturer’s website to get these details.
Type
Motorcycle tires come in several classifications. There is dual sport, street/cruiser,dirt/off-road and scooter. All these are categorized depending on their use and the type of motorcycle on which they are to be fitted, thus:
Dual sport tires are used on motorcycles used on both rough roads and asphalt/pavement.
Dirt/Off-road is specifically used on motor-cross bikes.
Street/cruiser tires are used on street-racing bikes.010 Apex Radial is a good example of a sport bike tire.
Scooter wheels are for scooters and small motorcycles.
Tubeless vs Tubed Tires
Tubed tires have tubes which hold air pressure in place. While tubeless tires do not have tubes to hold air pressure intact, they have special beads which prevent air from escaping through the rim. Tubeless tires come with a recommended cast to fit it.
Speed Ratings and Speed Index
Speed ratings illustrate the optimal speed a particular tire can go at. It is important to note these ratings; exceeding these limits usually leads to wear of your tires and/or overheating causing too much friction and possible difficulty in handling your bike. Do not assume that tires of the same size have the same speed ratings, no! Speed ratings differ due to the difference in the compound used to manufacture each tire, and even the construction of the tire radial construction has a higher speed than bias-ply.
The SI – Speed Index – on the other hand, demonstrates the maximum speed of your tire.
Load Capacity and Load Index
Tires are the main pillars of your bike. They support the weight of the bike, and any weight on the bike. Load capacity is the maximum load a tire can handle comfortably. Superseding the load capacity may lead to loss of balance. Optimal load capacity can be hindered by under/over-inflation.
Load Index is the indicator of the maximum weight which your tire can take. These are usually found on the manufacturer’s technical chart.
A motorbike may be built for high performance but the wrong tire combination may water down the efforts of the motorcycle manufacturer. Appreciate your bike by getting the right tires. Follow the indices directions to enjoy the service of your tires for longer.