There are many types of motorcycle tires on the market today, and we all have to think wisely about the type of riding we do on our bikes, whether it is mainly for commuting on the road or using our motorcycles for a bit of off-road fun as well.
So, do motorcycle tires have to match?
Motorcycle tires are manufactured to be used together and wear together. The front and rear tires on a motorcycle should be the same brand and style and have the same grip ratio. This keeps the front and rear traction the same, which reduces over time as the tire wears. The front and rear tires on a motorcycle should both be replaced together.
If you replace the rear tire and not the front tire simultaneously, the traction of the rear tire will be far superior to the front, and the overall handling ability of the motorcycle will be reduced.
This difference in traction can cause the motorcycle to act unpredictably in the dry, especially when the tarmac is wet. The same unpredictability can occur even if you purchase two new tires front and rear simultaneously but are different brands.
However, in my own experience, I have purchased a new rear tire only for my Honda CB 500X, a different brand from my front tire, and haven’t personally found any negative issues.
However, I must say that I put this down to the fact that the CB 500X is not a very powerful motorcycle delivering only about 50 BHP and my riding style is very relaxed and easy-going.
On a more powerful motorcycle, I would certainly change both front and back tires. So, when thinking about replacing the tires on your motorcycle, you should also think about the type of motorcycle you have and the riding style you will be doing.
What Elements Are Motorcycle Tyres Manufactured For?
Motorcycle tires are manufactured to provide several elements to riding a motorcycle and may not be that obvious.
So, what elements are motorcycle tires manufactured for?
- Traction for when you accelerate
- Acts as part of the motorcycle’s suspension
- Provides traction for braking and turning
- Reduce impact from bumps and potholes before the suspension activates
- Safer riding in hot, cold, and wet conditions
The rear tyre provides most of the traction when accelerating but when cornering the front tyre is responsible for both the lateral grip and steering. Usually, front tyre traction loss is the result of putting too much emphasis on the front tyre.
You only have one pair of tires between you and the tarmac, so you should make sure that your tires are in good condition every time you ride your motorcycle.
Which Type Of Tyre Is Right For Your Motorcycle?
When you start thinking about replacing your motorcycle tires, you realize that there are many types of motorcycle tires to choose from.
I know. I have been through the thought process many times when it has come to replacing tires for my motorcycles.
In my honest opinion, I have found that it all depends on what you are going to use your motorcycle for.
Are you going to
- Use your motorcycle for commuting and general road use?
- Use your motorcycle for track days at the circuit?
- Use your motorcycle to go off-road on adventures and camping trips, etc.?
- Use your motorcycle for mainly on-road but maybe so green laning at the weekends?
You can do many things on your motorcycle, so before choosing the new tires for your pride and joy, think about what you are mainly going to use your motorcycle for and not just what looks good.
For example you could purchase:
- Road Only Tires
- Dual Sport / Off-Road Tires
- Off-Road Only Tires
Dual sport tires, as well as Adventure Bike tires, usually come with either a 50/50 or 90/10 On Road / Off Road Ratio.
If you want to take your motorcycle off-road for some light adventure riding and use your motorcycle for commuting, then these types of tires are marketed towards you.
However, you will never get the same performance that you would get from a tire that is 100% off-road or 100% on road. It’s a compromise, so choose wisely.
Do you need a tire where the grip on loose surfaces is important or is efficient and effective water clearance found on-road tires more important to you?
If your riding your motorcycle mainly on tarmac, the dual-sport knobbly tyres will definitely have reduced grip when comparing them to 100% on-road tyres.
Road Tires, unlike off-road tires, have rain grooves that easily disperse the water from the center of the tire, which helps improve grip.
So the rule of thumb is that the fewer groves in a motorcycle tire equate to more grip, which is why sports bike tires have fewer grooves and are more so designed to be used on dry roads and race tracks.
They are not designed to be used in the wet, and it is illegal to use race track tires on the roads as they can be dangerous on wet patches and puddles.
When Should you Replace Your Motorcycle Tires?
There is something quite strange going on. When I talk to most motorcyclists about when they think they should replace their bike’s tires, I get a flood of different answers.
I’m not sure about every 7,000 miles, or if I see them starting to get low are just some of the answers I have received.
So, when should you replace your motorcycle tires?
- If the tire has a puncher
- The legal tread wear limit has been reached
- If the tire is damaged
- When the tire shows signs of aging
- The tire shows an odd pattern of wear
Motorcycle tires are hard wearing and designed to withstand many impacts, but sometimes the inevitable happens, and they get punctures.
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On some occasions but not all, the puncture may be able to be repaired, but in my own opinion, this is one of the reasons you should replace your motorcycle tire.
Don’t forget, you only have two tires between you and the ground, so keeping them in tip-top condition should be a priority even at a cost.
You should be checking your tires regularly for any signs of damage or abnormalities, as well as keeping an eye on the tire’s tread wear limit. Once the tire has reached the wear limit, it should be changed, but I change my tires before reaching this limit to be extra safe.
Personally, I notice a difference in my bike’s handling as the tread wears down and usually change my tires on the way I feel my bike handling rather than wait for the tire to wear to the legal limit.
Checking your tires regularly is a must if you ride a motorcycle. The tires on our motorcycles take many different impacts throughout their lifetime, riding over and sometimes into potholes, bumps in the road, blunt objects on the road, and various other unknown objects.
If you notice any unusual cuts or tears or deformations or an odd pattern of wear, you should get your tire checked over by an expert and replaced if necessary.
There are many reasons a tire can show signs of aging, and it may not be just down to how old your tire is.
These can include the type of weather you have been riding in, how much load you have placed on the tires such as packing all your adventure gear onto your motorcycle for those great trips you have taken on your bike, the speed you travel at, and the tire pressure you prefer all have an impact on the lifespan of the tires, as well as your riding style and maintenance schedules.
Checking your tires regularly will help ensure that you notice any oddities, which will enable you to address your concerns within a good time.
Happy Riding!
