If you’re after a pair of cheap motorcycle tyres that still offer good grip, great feel and are long lasting, this guide is for you.
The cheapest motorcycle tyres are pair deals, where a front and rear tyre is sold as a set. It makes sense to buy tyres in pairs as not only does it save you money, but you’ll really notice the transformation of the bike’s handling when you replace both tyres and not just a rear or a front.
Cheap vs Premium tyre
The major motorcycle tyre brands tend to produce a top tier motorcycle tyre and then a second tier tyre. The second tier tyre is, in most cases, still a great product and while the price is lower, it’s not a budget tyre. The manufacturer is able to make cost savings when producing these second-tier tyres by essentially running out an older tyre or using a tread pattern or compound from an existing tyre. That way the manufacturer gets more return from their Research & Development (which is the expensive part of the tyre process) and we get a great tyre at a low cost.
So while it’s great to be riding on the very latest cutting edge technology, the cheaper motorcycle tyres aren’t far behind. When you buy a premium tyre, you’re paying for all that R&D. When you buy a second-tier tyre, you’re benefitting from previous R&D. You could argue that, for road riding, you still won’t be able to use all the performance a cheaper tyre can offer. So all credit to those bikers fitting the latest stuff because it means there are cheaper tyres available for the rest of us!
Cheap tyres for 125s
If you ride a 125cc motorcycle or scooter, your tyre sizes will be different to larger motorcycle common fitments and the tyres below won’t be suitable for your bike. So check out our 125cc motorbike tyres guide and our scooter tyres guide to find a great pair of tyres.
Our Top Cheap Sports Motorcycle Tyres
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Listed in alphabetical order are our best picks for those on a budget. These lower cost motorcycle tyres represent fantastic value for money, offering almost all of the benefits of a premium tyre but at a more affordable price point.
If you ride a modern 180bhp superbike, these tyres won’t be the best for you. But if you ride a bike like a Yamaha R6, a Bandit 600, SRAD GSX-R or anything with circa 100bhp and you’re not planning on regular trackdays, these are great options.
Anlas Viento
Made in Europe the Viento Sport is Anlas’s first foray in the radial hypersport tyre market. Designed with fast warm up and agile handling in mind. These tyres offer similar performance to product that is over £50 a pair more expensive. A great choice.
Bridgestone BT-023
The BT023 is Bridgestone’s budget Sports Touring tyre, it was introduced as the replacement for the incredibly popular BT021. This one offers great mileage and wet weather performance at a great price.
Continental ContiMotion
Continental’s Conti Motion is a budget radial tyre. A very good commuter and touring tyre with a huge range of sizes suitable for a wide range of bikes.
Dunlop Qualifier Core
Dunlop has unashamedly set out to produce a tyre on a budget, and you might think that’s a recipe for a bad tyre, but the Qualifier Core is a superb motorcycle tyre. Aimed at the Sports market, it’s a track-capable tyre but more suited to fast road riding. If you ride a 600cc Sportsbike or a Nineties or Noughties litre-bike, these are a great option.
Michelin Power 2CT
The Power 2CT is a long-running tyre from Michelin. Infact, it has been in production for over a decade. But it’s still made as it’s such a popular tyre. The 2CT stands from Two Compound Technology and it means this tyre has a harder central section and softer shoulders. It’ll last longer that way. If you ride a 600cc sportsbike on the road, it’s all you need.
Metzeler Z6
Metzeler’s Z6 is not only a cheap motorcycle tyre but it’s also an excellent motorcycle tyre. If you ride a circa 100bhp bike on the road and want a tyre that’s good on all conditions but offers plenty of outright grip on sunny days, the Z6 is a good bet.
Pirelli Angel ST
The Pirelli Angel ST is an entry level sport touring tyre from Pirelli took over from the Pirelli Diablo Strada. They offer quick steering along with excellent mileage. Available in all the common sizes including a 190/55 ZR17 for the big bike sports bikes out there.
Our Top Cheap Adventure Motorcycle Tyres
Adventure motorcycles, by their very nature, have different needs when it comes to tyres. From the purely road-focused offerings, to knobbly off-road capable tyres. The range is vast. There are also loads more adventure motorcycle tyre sizes when compared to conventional road bikes, so your adventure bike’s tyre sizes might not be covered by all of the options below. Here are three of the best value-for-money Adventure-bike tyres.
Anlas Capra RD
Anlas make a great range of off-road and trail tyres. The Anlas Capra RD is a road-focused Adventure bike tyre and it’s priced amazingly well. Available in sizes to cater for 90% of modern adventure bikes, these are a good do-it-all tyre for the road.
Kenda K784 Big Block
Like a Continental TKC80 but 30% cheaper, the Kenda Big Block is not just a cheap Adventure-bike tyre, it’s an awesome tyre, full stop. Kenda are massive in the world of Motocross and they’ve brought their expertise to Adventure bikes, with a tyre that’ll see you navigate even the trickiest boggy Welsh tracks.
Mitas E07
Mitas have a great range of adventure bike and trail tyres and the Mitas E07 is a great offering for those who like to do a bit of road and trail or if you ride on the road but just want a rugged look to match your Adventure bike. The E07 might be cheap but it’s not budget in any way. It’s just about as good as the best in this sector.
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