The motorcycle world is full of acronyms and specialist words that don’t always have a clear meaning. There are a fair few in the motorcycle and scooter tyre domain too.
Our glossary lists all the tyre acronyms we could think of, who they relate to and what they mean.
Bias Belt – The structure consists of a conventional carcass and a belt made of two or more crossed layers. The difference between the carcass and the belt is determined by the different goals they are designed to fulfill and consequently different materials are used in the construction. The belt is made mainly from Armide and it’s function is to reduce the dynamic deformation caused by centrifugal forces, while the carcass provides the tire with its stiffness and load carrying capacity.
Cross-Ply – Also indicated as conventional or x-ply tire. Depending on the different speed and load specifications, the tyre carcass is structured using two or more overlapping layers. Each layer is made of rubber coated textile and the overlap angle is designed in order for the tire to conform with the required dynamic characteristics.
M&S – Mud and Snow rating. This means the tyres are approved for use in snow, a legal requirement in some countries.
NHS – Not for Highway Service. This means that tyres marked NHS may not be used on public roads.
OE – Original Equipment.
Radial Cross Belt – The main difference from the bias-belted construction is the structure of the carcass in this case is radial. This means that its cords are wrapped radially around the tire, from one bead to the other, giving big advantages in terms of cornering stability, reduced weight and high-speed performance.
Radial Carcass – The patented technology enables the structure of both front and rear tire to be achieved using a radial carcass and a single layer belt made of steel. Depending on the rolling direction of the tyre, the belt is wound circumferentially around the carcass giving an angle close to 0°. The advantages of the use of steel are its extremely high rigidity and the possibility to tune the winding spacing thus differentiating the stiffness distribution from shoulder to crown.
Silica – Silica is the name for the salt of silicic acid. Using silica stabilises the network of connections between the individual materials in the rubber compound. Compared to regular structures, silica increases the strength of the material. This reduces wear and tear, and increases mileage. The tyre also grips the road better, as the compound can be designed to be softer due to its increased strength.
TL – Tubeless type tyres
TT – Tubetype tyres. Motorcycle or scooter tyres that need to be run with inner tubes.
WW – Whitewall tyres. Tyres that have a white sidewall, popular with classic scooter riders, Harley Davidsons and customs.
Manufacturer-specific
Avon
A-VBD – Advanced-Variable Belt Density technology, specifically for rear tyres. This is a jointless belt of ultra-strong Steel or Aramid strands running around the tyre’s circumference. At the centre of the tread the strands are very closely spaced for maximum stability and high wear resistance. The closer you get to the edge of the tread, the further apart the strands are spaced – this broadens the tyre’s footprint when you’re getting your knee down.
RF (Reactive Footprint) – Reactive Footprint technology marries Avon’s unique variable belt density A-VBD carcass with Lifetime Profile Engineering (LPE) to produce a footprint which changes size and shape depending on the bike’s lean angle for the full life of the tyre. The result is a contact patch that grows as the bike leans, giving long life when travelling in a straight line and more grip in corners.
SBC System – ‘Spiral and Belted Carcass’. A high level of grip puts high loads through the tyre’s carcass; the SBC System features ultra-tough belts underneath the Aramid or Steel strands of A-VBD to cope with the extreme stresses.
ATAC Tread Profile – Advanced Tread Arc Combination, or Tri Arc, varies the tread profile across the tyre for the ultimate in handling and stability however far over your bike is. Works in tandem with A-VBD.
SRS-Compound (Super Rich Silica-Compound) – Compounds formulated with large amounts of silica offer enhanced grip in wet and cold conditions. This produces extra grip when the tyre is cold but also reduces excessive heat build up which can affect mileage.
Race-C – Compounds optimised for track performance.
EAF Pattern – Initials that stand for ‘Enhanced Aqua Flow’. In other words, tread patterns to efficiently and rapidly clear water away from under your tyres.
ES System – Enhanced Stability System. The carcass, sidewall and tread pattern are designed to work together to reduce localised flexing within the tyre’s contact patch. This increases grip and stability while at the same time reduces tyre wear.
IFG (Inverted Front Grooves) – For the front tyre, a system pioneered by Avon in the late eighties and only now being adopted by the competition, resists ‘stepped-wear’ and cupping to deliver smooth handling throughout the tyre’s life. By significantly reducing uneven tread wear, a further advantage of the IFG configuration is improved wet braking and shorter stopping distances.
LPE (Lifetime Profile Engineering) – This works in conjunction with ATAC to produce a tyre profile and footprint which even when worn, gives consistent handling and stability for the full life of the tyre.
WCTA (Wide Custom Tread Arc) – A profile for improved manoeuverability at all speeds.
Hybrid Belt – Ultra strong steel wires of different tensions bound together to make a tape component to form a unique belt system. This belt produces exceptional high speed stability while the flexibility and natural spring properties of steel translate into superb mechanical grip. This is our most advanced belt system yet.
TE (Tri-compound Extrusion) – Three different rubber compounds are extruded into each tread. Compound 1 – A durable medium compound in the centre of the tyre for improved mileage. Compound 2 – A soft compound on the edge of the tyre for maximum grip at high lean angles. Compound 3 – A very soft low hysteresis compound across the entire base of the tread to improve the bond between the other two compounds and the carcass.
FFG (Force Following Grooves) – Grooves that work in tandem with the forces being transmitted through the tyre at various lean angles for increased wear resistance, optimum water dispersal, reduced tyre noise and improved mileage.
Bridgestone
3D CTDM (Optimized tyre design) – Comprehensive Tyre Design Method. 3D CTDM is Bridgestone’s automated tyre design technology: a cutting-edge programme that includes dynamic 3D simulations and analysis of all aspects of tyre performance. For front tyre patterns, maximising high-speed stability and minimising vibration is important, while rear tyre patterns are developed with higher negative ratios for cornering grip and stability. Tyre profiles are designed with 3D CTDM to give quicker and lighter handling in tight corners. Lateral stiffness is maximised, for improved grip, and linear contact pressure maintained at all lean angles, for smooth handling.
3LC (Stability and cornering grip) – 3 Layer Compound technology. The shoulder compound provides excellent cornering grip. The center compound offers linear handling.
5LC (Maximum traction at any angle) – 5 Layer Compound technology. High grip performance has been achieved for every sports racing scene. The edge compound improves rotational stability during steep banking. The shoulder compound improves cornering power and grip performance in the forward direction. The center compound achieves a smooth feeling from straight runs to lean angles.
Cap & Base (High grip throughout tyre life) – The cap tread contains a compound with soft silica, and the base tread contains a compound with medium silica. These are carefully balanced. While ensuring shock absorption, strong grip performance in various temperature conditions is provided while supporting optimum rigidity.
DBC (Improved manoeuvrability) – Dual Belt Construction. Battlax BT-012SS rear tyres are built with a revolutionary Dual Belt Construction: one belt on each shoulder on top of the MBS cord. This DBC gives you high-level cornering grip, manoeuvrability and shock absorption while the “open” centre area improves straight-line stability.
HTSPC (Better all-round handling) – High Tensile Super Penetrated Cord. Steel cord material is comprised of individually rubber insulated inner filaments with high thermal conductivity to enhance heat transfer and reduce the risk of blowout. Moisture does not accumulate between filaments, reducing the chance of oxidation. The features promote high speed stability and durability of the tire as a whole. High case rigidity (grip performance) and superior shock absorption have also been achieved by these highly tensile filaments which have strong resistance to deformation.
MS belt (Runs cooler, more stability) – Mono spiral belt. Lightweight and durable cords are wrapped around the circumference of the tire to provide a smooth grip feeling. This contributes to a high performance tire with weight reduction, improvement in grip improvement, rotational stability, high speed performance and excellent damping effect.
NanoPro-Tech™ (Stronger grip, higher mileage) – Bridgestone’s advanced NanoPro-Tech™ technology optimizes the performance characteristics of the tyre by controlling the interaction between polymer, filler materials and other rubber chemicals on a molecular level. This helps reduce friction, heat and tread deformation during tyre rotation, leading to better tread grip and longer wear life.
OBF (Smooth high-speed riding) – Outside Bead Filler. A filler is included to the outer bead in addition to a small inner bead filler. This provides optimum force distribution and rigidity balance to the sidewall profile, contributing to the improvement in shock absorption and cornering stability.
RC polymer (More confident road contact) – Polymer improves wear resistance of tires, and silica is effective for wet performance. Although these two compounds are usually not compatible, the potential of both compounds is drastically increased by promoting affinity between them. RC POLYMER for motorcycles, developed using Bridgestone’s key technology NanoPro-Tech®*, contributes to the improvement of wet performance and longer wear life.
NanoPro-Tech – Bridgestone’s key technology which controls the nanostructure of tire materials through molecular design, in order to emphasize the needed characteristics of the material.
SACT (Higher mileage) – Straight and cornering technology. The center area utilizes a compound which specializes in wear resistance, and the shoulder with a compound which specializes in grip performance. By combining these compounds, two conflicting features, “”long life durability”” and “”high grip performance”” have been dimensionally fused. The two compounds are unified through intermolecular coupling at high temperature.
SACT + Cap & Base (All weather performance) – SACT gives centre-tread mileage and shoulder grip, while the underlying Cap & Base layer enhances tread stiffness for better grip, shock absorption and all-weather performance.
Silica rich (Stronger grip in wet and cold) – Silica Rich Compound ensures high grip performance in low temperature conditions at the early stage of riding and exhibits excellent wet performance.
Silica Rich Ex (More confident front tyre grip) – Performance in wet conditions is improved by greatly increasing the amount of silica compared to conventional SILICA RICH.
GP Belt – A new belt added to the conventional MS BELT. The pressure has been equalized to the ground surface. By enlarging the ground contact surface area, gripping performance during cornering has been improved. This also contributes to better gripping, reduction in ground contact surface area which causes slipping, and better wear control.
V-MS-Belt – The variable mono spiral belt construction optimizes the spacing between the HTSPC wire system in order to change the rigidity ot its optimum all over the tread area.
3LC + Cap and Base – 3LC gives centre-tread mileage and shoulder grip, while the underlying Cap & Base layer enhances tread stiffness for better grip, shock absorption and all-weather performance.
Pulse Groove icon – Pattern groove design combining pulse shaped grooves with small center defelectors. This equalises the waterflow and optimises the flow speed. Resulting in increased water drainage, better grip and adhesion in wet conditions and less slip ratio.
Ultimat EYE – Visualisation of the tyre contact patch behavior with measurement and simulation technology. Supplies less slip area for good traction while riding and improves wear life.
Continental
MultiGrip – makes it possible to use a homogenous grip grading with a single compound thanks to temperature controlled curing of the tire during the production process.
TractionSkin – a revolutionary new micro-rough tread surface, virtually puts an end to tire breakin.
ZeroDegree – 0° steel-belted construction guarantees excellent stability at high speeds.
RainGrip – a ‘Wet Grip’ compound for superior wet grip and higher mileage.
GripLimitFeedback – The “GripLimitFeedback Technology” increases the level of safety during extreme lean angles.
MileagePlus – The MileagePlus technology features a compound that significantly extends mileage while maintaining exceptional handling.
EasyHandling – The EasyHandling technology bestows the tire with linear handling even if stabilizing gyroscopic forces are nominal (e.g. when turning). Simultaneously, accuracy and groundingfeeling are improved at benchmark level – applies to all riding situations in this segment.
Performance over Time – Built to ensure highest constant level of performance even after thousands of kilometers due to a mix of MultiGrip, carcass construction and pattern design
BlackChili Compound – A tread compound which is always based on the latest knowledge of polymers and raw material research
Dunlop
NTEC – A highly reinforced casing construction on race tyres that improves the range of inflation pressure. This increases the size of the contact patch and therefore grip, reduces localised wear.
Multi-Tread (MT) – Multiple compounds used in the tread. This improves versatility by performing differently at lean and when upright. Combines durability and cornering performance.
Jointless Belt Construction (JLB) – Continuously wound belt around the tyre casing which improves the strength of the tyre construction. This controls dynamic growth and handling.
Jointless tread (JLT) – Continuously wound tread compound that improves flexibility for performance tuning. This optimises performance, consistency and mileage for factory racing tyres.
Heat Control technology (HCT) – Advanced tread architecture using different cap (outer) and base (lower) compounds. Designed to improve the tyre’s ability to combine conflicting properties. The base compound can be tuned to either generate or reduce heat build-up, to optimise cap compound performance
Dynamic Front Formula (DFF) – Front tyre design process. Tuning to perfectly suit the intended usage. Offers the ideal balance between steering effort, clear feedback and neutral handling.
Advanced Apex Design (AAD) – Thinner and longer apex shape. Improves ride quality & feedback. Increased rider confidence through enhanced predictability, as well as improved compliance.
Carcass Tension Control (CTCS) – Tyre casing architecture with different tension zones. Improves stability and feedback. Combines compliance and optimised footprint area for optimum grip, stability and feedback.
Progressive Cornering Block Technology (PCBT) – Optimised tread block flexibility achieved through stepped design of the shoulder blocks. Improves Off-road grip. Better slide control and tightened corner exit grip.
Multiple Block Distribution (MBD) – Distribution spacing of the tread blocks is greater centrally than on the shoulder area. Improves Off-road grip. Optimised straight line traction in low-grip conditions and enhanced rider feedback in corners.
Metzeler
Contour Modelling Technology – Advanced design technology of the tyre contour is tuned for a high performance riding style on modern bikes. Complimentary front and rear tyre profiles are optimized through them having different contours, but each of them optimized to match at a single lean angle. The final contour design of the set features the best performing behaviour for every riding style and all modern bikes: predictability, grip limit feedback and cornering stability.
Dura Sil – Latest generation of high-performance compound, with a high silica content and new reinforcing elements to give better stiffness and superior mechanical resistance. This new compound has been developed to guarantee a fast and efficient adaptability form cold to hot, dry to wet, normal road to racetrack use with high durability.
Fine Carbon Matrix – “Fine Carbon Matrix” compound structure. This new compound has been obtained using the last generation of high-performance raw materials for a quicker adaptability to a wider range of conditions, going from cold to warm, from wet to dry. This new structure ensures the highest level of grip both in dry and in wet conditions, thus maintaining extremely high mileage characteristics.
Interact – The modular multi-tension steel cord winding technology, allowing Metzeler tyres to offer the best performance in all conditions. The performance of the tread compound is influenced by the stiffness of the structure. Mileage, grip, handling… the differentiated tensioning of the steel belt underneath the tread compound gives a tailored performance, exactly where needed, giving maximum adaptability to different riding styles.
MBS Radial – This symbol identifies a tyre with radial carcass and diagonal belt using MBS technology. The radial carcass allows the construction of a low section tyre for enhanced cornering stability and reduced weight, while the diagonal belt limits tyre deformation at high speed.
Metzeler Advanced Winding – a patented system for optimum spacing between the cords of the 0° steel belt. In certain sections of the tyre, the steel cords are wound with different spacing depending on the performance requirements on that particular area of the tyre. On both front & rear tyre the spacing is wider in the crown area for more elasticity and self damping. For sections of the tyre used for mid lean, there is increased stiffness to support fast cornering. On the shoulder area on the rear tyre, the spacing is again wider for safe feedback and control when riding towards full lean.
Metzeler Belt System – the patented technology by Metzeler for the diagonal belt on cross-ply tyres. This modular-like construction technology really allows tuning each single size to the specific needs of the bikes for superior stability. This means that weight and performance of the tyres are specifically developed for the more traditionally styled yet powerful bikes, enhancing their dynamic performance.
Multiple Radius Contour – Engineering technology for contour design dedicated to high performance riding. The contour curvature differs between the crown and shoulder area in order to provide the most intuitive and effective handling and grip characteristics. The crown and shoulder areas feature a sharper radius for faster and more precise handling (crown) and safer stability limit feedback (shoulder). A wider radius characterizes the side area, ensuring a larger contact patch for cornering stability.
Single Radius Contour – Specific tyre contour developed for custom-touring bikes, characterized by a linear design. A bike specific profile, especially for heavy models. The wide crown area ensures great comfort and stability at all speed, thus maintaining very high mileage characteristics. The round side area of the contour provides very linear and easy handling.
Steel Radial – Innovative belt structure, with a single ply of steel cords wrapped at 0° around a radial carcass. Patented technology by Metzeler for both front and rear high performance tyres. Steel features a higher stiffness than the traditional textile material used and also reduces tyre weight. A steel belted radial reduces the dynamic deformation of the tyre under centrifugal forces giving the tyre excellent high-speed stability. Steel is an excellent conductor, therefore providing a more uniform heat distribution which allows higher mileage and wear characteristics are more uniform.
Wintec – Sipes are “cut” in to the tread for fast warm up and incredible contact feeling with a compound designed to work perfectly at low temperatures. The wintec technology allows riding for 12 months a year in safe conditions without compromising the performance.
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