As a motorcycle rider, are a ton of different bike styles to choose from – cruisers, sport bikes, adventure bikes, off-road, etc. Each type of motorcycle has its own unique attributes meant for certain types of riding, whether it be long distance, high speed or off-road. A vital component to your bike, no matter which style you ride, are tires. Choosing the right type of tire is extremely important so that you have the absolute best handling possible for the situations you ride in, making you comfortable and being safe on the road.
What type of tires are best for your motorcycle? Let's look at some of the types available and what bike style they are best suited for.
Sport Tires: Sport tires are meant for sport bikes such as the Kawasaki Ninja or Suzuki Hayabusa, among many others. These types of tires are constructed to provide excellent grip to the road while traveling at high speeds. Sport bike tires are softer than other types of tires, which make them grip the road better. They are meant for staying on the pavement, so don’t try to take your bike off-road because it will not handle well. Sport bike tires will have tread, but not as much as some other tires. Less tread allows the tires to contact more of the road, improving handling on smooth surfaces.
Cruiser/Touring Tires: Meant for cruiser and touring bikes like the Harley-Davidson Softail, the Indian Scout or the Honda Gold Wing, these types of tires are meant for bikes that travel long distances while carrying a lot. Cruiser/touring tires have a higher load rating meant to handle the weight of the bike, the rider, a passenger and any cargo. They are also built to handle driving long distances and will last longer than most sport bike tires, since they are made from harder rubber compounds. Cruiser tires are meant for highway speeds and are not designed to handle high speeds or high-speed maneuvers and cornering. The tread patterns on these tires are meant to provide the best traction in various conditions on paved roads, including rain. Cruiser/touring tires will give your bike a smooth, consistent ride.
Dual Sport Tires: Adventure and dual sport motorcycles are bikes that can go both off-road and on pavement. Examples include the KTM 690 Enduro R and the Yamaha XT250. Choosing the right type of tire for your dual sport bike will give you the best possible performance, no matter where you are riding. There are a variety of different tires available for these types of bikes. Dual sport/adventure tires will be commonly labeled as 80/20 street, 50/50 and 80/20 off-road or other similar ratios. Tires like the 80/20 street are meant for motorcyclists who plan to spend about 80% of their time riding on the street and 20% off-road. 80/20 off-road tires are meant for the exact opposite, 80% off-road and 20% riding on pavement. It’s up to the rider to choose the right tire based on how much of each type of riding they plan on doing.
There are a few other types of tires including racing tires and off-road tires, but those are more specialized and general road riders won’t have to worry about putting them on their bikes. Choosing the right type of tire for your style of motorcycle will help keep you safe on the road by providing the right traction and control of your bike. If you are unsure of what type of tires to get or need any answers to your questions, contact your local motorcycle dealership.
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