Choosing the right motorcycle tyre depends largely on what you ride, when you ride and where you ride it.
For everyday commuting and mixed road use, tyres designed to warm up quickly, last well and offer wet-weather grip, and consistent performance across a wide temperature range are generally the best choice. Touring riders may prioritise stability and mileage, particularly if riding long distances or carrying luggage.
Sport riders often prefer tyres that offer higher levels of grip, but these can come with a slower warm-up or a tyre that needs to be kept “on the boil” to maintain grip levels. The stickiest road tyres often have a reduced lifespan but may not offer much more grip in ‘real-world’ conditions.
Track-focused riders tend to prioritise outright performance over longevity. This often means fitting track-focused treaded tyres or slicks. Often, these will need pre-heating with tyre warmers and they may not perform well in mixed or wet conditions when compared to a more road-focused sports tyre.
Adventure bike riders often buy a bike with a 21″ front wheel but never ride off-road. This means you’re always trying to correct a mechanical compromise with your tyre choice. If you do ride mainly on the road and have a choice of 21″ or 19″ front tyres on your Adventure bike, we strongly recommend you opt for the 19″ version as you’ll have more feel and outright grip.
It is important to be realistic about how the bike is used most of the time rather than focusing on occasional riding scenarios. A tyre that suits 90% of your riding will usually offer better overall performance and safety than one chosen for extremes.
If you are unsure, give us a call as we are here to advise you.
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