Motorcycle tires play a key role in the riding experience. Without them, you would never be able to leave your driveway. But it’s not enough to simply have tires. It’s important to use tires that are compatible with your motorcycle and that are well-maintained. We’ve created the following motorcycle tire guide to make the shopping process easy. If you have any questions or want to shop motorcycles for sale, visit CalMoto. Our dealership is based in Mountain View and Livermore, California. We also proudly serve those in San Francisco and San Jose, California.

The Parts Of A Motorcycle Tire

A motorcycle tire is made up of a few key components.

• The tread grips the road and provides traction.
• The sidewall provides support and handling. It’s the side of the tire connected to the height and aspect ratio.
• The bead is the edge of the tire and grips the rim.
• The valve stem influences the tire’s inflation.
• The carcass is the body of the tire.

Buying New Versus Used Tires

Used tires are sold at a lower asking price, which can make them seem like a good deal. However, they are a risky purchase.

First of all, used tires could contain hidden internal damage. This can create a safety issue on the open road. Second of all, they could break down and need a replacement sooner than you planned on, which translates to saving less money than you hoped.

New tires, on the other hand, come with many perks. They last significantly longer, which means it’ll be quite some time before you need to buy a replacement. They also offer better performance, which improves the quality of your motorcycle ride. They even result in better fuel efficiency, which saves you money on fuel costs.

Mixing Tire Brands, Types, Or Sizes

It’s best to use the same tires on the front and back of your motorcycle. Different tires could have different tread patterns, construction, size, and other factors that affect the riding experience. Mixing tires can hurt your motorcycle’s stability and reduce your control, which can create a risky ride.

Specialty Tires

Most riders follow the manufacturer’s standard tire recommendation. But there are other options to consider. Some riders enjoy using specialty tires, which are created for a specific style of riding.

For example, commuter tires are designed for those who log many hours on the road. They help lead to improved gas mileage on highways.

Superbike tires offer better grip and acceleration. They are a great choice for more advanced riders who enjoy a more adrenaline-fueled riding experience.

Dual-sport tires offer improved grip when traveling over sand and gravel. They pair well with off-road motorcycles.

If you want to enjoy a unique riding experience, see if there is a specialty tire out there that matches.

Replacing Tires

Motorcycle tires do not last forever. They need to be replaced when one of three situations happen.

First, the tire is over ten years old. It’s too old to remain reliable and promote a safe ride, which means it’s time to replace it.

Second, the tire has unsolvable damage. Some issues can be repaired, but some cannot. In that situation, the tire becomes a safety threat and needs to be tossed.

Third, the tire’s tread is too low. Tread helps the motorcycle maintain traction with the road. It gets naturally worn down with each ride. The tread eventually gets so low that it can’t maintain proper grip with the road, causing safety risks. Check the owner’s manual to know the exact tread level that merits replacement.

We hope you found this motorcycle tire guide helpful. For more information or to shop motorcycles for sale, head over to CalMoto. Our expert staff can help with anything you need, from making personalized model suggestions or replacing broken motorcycle parts. You’ll find us in Mountain View and Livermore, California, and we also proudly serve those in San Francisco and San Jose.