Advice Centre

Unless you are always going to replace your tyres with exactly the same make and type that were fitted by the manufacturer when the bike was new, you are going to need to know (or ask a man who does) a bit about the huge choice of tyres on sale.

 

The days when all you needed to know was the size and how much they cost have long gone. Modern tyres come in so many varieties with so many differing performance values even the experts have a job keeping up with it all.

 

Some rules are fairly general. For example

  • Spoke wheels (with notable exceptions like some new BMWs) can only take tubed tyres.

  • Radial tyres (again there are one or two exceptions) can rarely be fitted with a tube.

  • Front tyres go on the front, rear on the rear ONLY.

The speed rating of the tyre must match the capability of the bike i.e.

 

Top Speed of Bike

Tyre Rating

Up to 93 mph (150 kph)

P

Up to 112 mph (180 kph)

S

Up to 130 mph (210 kph)

H

Up to 149 mph (240 kph)

V

Up to 150 mph (250 kph)

V250

Over 156 mph (250 kph)

Z and ZR

 

Then you have to watch how radials, bias belted and cross ply tyres are mixed. It's better to avoid mixtures if you can, but the following is law.

 

Legal

Illegal

Cross ply front, cross ply rear

Radial front, cross ply rear

Radial front, radial rear

Bias belt front, cross ply rear

Bias belt front, bias belt rear

Radial front, bias belt rear

Cross ply front, radial rear

 

Bias belt front, radial rear

 

 

Of course it doesn't stop there! Bikes come in all shapes and sizes. You'll need to know what can go on your bike - and what is going to happen once that lovely new radial comes under load!

 

Balancing

 

Modern tyres are fairly well balanced right from the start (when properly fitted) but it is still advisable to have both wheels balanced to get rid of any lingering vibration. These days this can be done at the same time the tyre is fitted. There was a time when it was no good balancing a wheel until the tyre had suffered a bit or wear!

 

Our properly equipped motorcycle tyre fitters will have access to a balancing machine and it really is advisable to spend the extra couple of quid getting them to use it. 

 

Running In

 

This is really important. The number of riders who have crashed on new tyres is legion. Tyres need to be 'run in' before they should be expected to cope with hard riding or braking. The first 50 to 100 miles is critical. Ride smooth and slow for this period and your tyres will perform at their peak for the rest of their lives.

 

Just ask the experts - Ride In Bike Tyres!

 

advice@rideinbiketyres.co.uk