MOTORCYCLE TIRES 101-UNDERSTANDING THE RUBBER THAT MEETS THE ROAD

Round, and usually black.

Unless you’re a professional or amateur motorcycle racer, or are otherwise ultra-conscious of your bike’s tires, a safe guess says that round and black is most of what many motorcyclists know - or care to know -about the tires mounted to the wheels of their trusty two-wheeled steed.

Yet, ignorance of tire knowledge is understandable to a point. Once the tires are purchased, mounted to the wheels and inflated, their presence is easy to forget: tires produce only a small amount of noise when rolling at speed, are difficult to see while riding, and the only routine care necessary in most cases is checking for proper inflation.

Many tires are designed to last for thousands of miles of trouble-free service with very little upkeep. Understanding some basic tire knowledge will help you better care for your rubber and make you an informed consumer when the time comes to get some new round, black hoops.