Motorcycle Tyres

All motorcycle tyres are not the same

If you find yourself in a good motorcycle specialist shop, you’ll discover they come in all types and designs with specific features and qualities. Once you’ve chosen your new tyres, you’ll have to break them in before you notice the specific features each tyre boasts. In order to break in a motorcycle tyre, the rubber must reach a specific operating temperature. The process of breaking in a motorcycle tyre is dependant upon the specific material of the tyre. For example, a tough rubber mixture requires a lower operating temperature than a softer rubber mix, which requires a higher operating temperature. Motorcycle tires reach operating temperature either by being broken in or machined.

BUYING MOTORCYCLE TYRES

Each motorbike tyre is designed to have qualities that stand out. And these features differ between different models of tyres. The process of reaching operating temperature impacts the rubber of the tyres in a way that brings out the specific qualities they were designed to have (agility, traction, braking, cornering, steering, roll prevention, driving stability, etc). The standard speed motorcycle tyres are broken in at is 210km. How long does it take to reach optimum operating temperature? Manufacturers should provide approximate ranges. However it’s important to keep in mind that cold weather can make it take a motorcycle much longer to reach operating temperature. Following the stipulations provided by the manufacturer is how you check if the temperature was accurately reached. Once this has taken place, it is now safe for full driving on your new motorcycle tyre. Driving on insufficiently broken in tyres is dangerous and life threatening as the tyres are more susceptible to fishtailing.  

UNDERSTANDING MOTORBIKE TYRES

In an effort to provide uniformity with this issue, all motorcycle tyres have recently been conformed to the same universal standard, the Japanese JATMA standard. Everything you need to know about the tyre is marked on the side of the tyre. You’ll see a series of letters and numbers which provide information regarding tyre size, max load, tyre material, and even the production date. Labels are provided to decipher all of the information and allows comparison between other tyre models. As always, if you’re looking for more information you can go online to compare prices and read and post reviews. As you’re looking you’ll find that some motorcycles are only able to use specific brands. Keep in mind that tyre width and rim width must match. These specs will be proportional to the height of the tyre, which is usually marked as a percentage.

Whether you’re using Michelin motorcycle tyres or Bridgestone motorcycle tyres, be sure to break them in and allow them to reach operating temperature. It takes a little research, but it will save you in the end.</p