The Ultimate Wheel Guide for MCs
Buying
motorcycle tires and custom motorcycle parts online
can save you loads of cash. But doing this requires you to make sure you get
the right ones for your bike. To help you out, we’ve put together this guide
about how to read a motorcycle tire, so you can be informed about not only the
tires on your bike now, but what tires you need to replace them.
There
are two steps to getting the right tires:
·
Choosing the right tire type based on your needs, and
Choosing the right tire type based on your needs, and
·
Determining the correct size for your application.
Determining the correct size for your application.
Choosing the Right
Tire Type
To
choose the right tire type, you need to examine your bike and riding style to
determine which type is appropriate for you. There are four general
designations: cruiser, street, dual-sport/ADV, and dirt. Choosing the family of
tire you need is the easy part; it becomes more complicated once you get down
to specifics, like brand, compound, speed rating, etc. (and at some point it
will become simply a matter of personal preference.)
Choosing the Right
Tire Size
To
choose the right tire size requires that you have knowledge of what the code
designators printed on the side of tires mean, and that’s what we’re here to
help you decipher.
There
are three different methods manufacturers use to designate tire information
“alphanumeric, standard inch, and metric”, but the industry standard today is
the metric system. The alphanumeric system is very infrequently used, and the
standard inch system is no longer used (but may need to be converted to
determine what to use as a new replacement.) The vast majority of tire
manufacturers use the metric method, and that’s what we’ll be focusing on.
The
metric system has five main components, and they are all printed on the tire
sidewall. Some are strict measurements, others are codes that indicate
something.
Section
Width: measurement of the width of the tread, in a straight line from one side
to the other. Almost always a three-digit number.
Aspect
Ratio: the ratio of a tires width as a percentage of its height; the higher the
number, the taller the tire. Usually a two-digit number.
Rim
Diameter: measurement of the rim, from one lip to the other, in inches.
Load
Rating: a code designating the weight a tire is designed to bear, ranging from
low 20s to high 80s (see chart below.)
Speed
Rating: an alphabetical code designating the speed a tire is designed to run at
safely, when properly inflated and loaded, from J-Z. Not always ordered
alphabetically, and can be a little confusing (see manufacturer information.)
The
BikeBandit.com has a good range of motorcycle tires and best amp parts for motorcycles that you can
choose from. There are very good tips on choosing the right wheels for your
bike and other handy tips for every bike enthusiast at the website. Check them
out today!
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