Motorcycle tyres: what are the different types of tyre?

By Julia Freeman

The best choice of motorcycle tyre for you will depend upon the type of bike you have as well as where and how you use it.

Motorcycle

When it comes to motorcycle tyres there are five main types which we have outlined below:

Road or street tyres

These are everyday tyres for street riders who don’t tend to ride at particularly high speeds. They are made of hard rubber compounds and offer durability, good grip (even on wet roads) and can easily handle ‘normal’ temperatures.
 
Examples of popular street tyres include the Dunlop Roadsport 2 and the Pirelli Diablo Rosso III.

Touring tyres

Touring tyres give optimum performance at regular speeds and enable smooth driving on different road surfaces. They offer a high-level of driver comfort and durability and will be able to deal with a wide range of weather conditions.
 
Examples of touring tyres include the Michelin Road 5, Continental Conti-Roadattack 3 and the Metzeler Roadtec 01.

Sport tyres

As the name suggests, these tyres are intended for sporting use on roads or, occasionally, racetracks. They are made of soft rubber and have very shallow treads. They offer exceptional grip on dry surfaces but have a relatively short life expectancy.
 
Some examples of popular sports tyres include the Bridgestone Battlax S22, Metzeler M7RR and the Continental Sport Attack 2.

Cruiser or chopper tyres

Tyres for cruiser bikes, such as Harley Davidson and Triumph, are focused on giving reliable performance on long trips, good grip on turns and enhanced durability. These bikes are typically heavier than standard, so the tyres are often reinforced so they are to deal with a high load index, while still ensuring a safe driving experience.
 
Examples of cruiser tyres include the Michelin Commander 3 and Bridgestone Battlecruise H50.

Off-road tyres

Off-road tyres are made for all-terrain, off-road driving. They have an extra-strong construction which means that they are able to handle a wide range of outdoor environments and challenges.
 
Some of the most popular off-road tyres include the Bridgestone Battlax T31 and the Metzeler MC 360 Mid Hard and Mid Soft varieties.

Where is the best motorbike tyre shop near me?

A Protyre garage is a great place to buy your motorcycle tyres. We employ qualified fitters and offer many attractive motorcycle tyre deals for a variety of different models, and ordering motorcycle tyres online is simple. We sell tyres from a number of the major manufacturers including Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental.

Professional advice from Protyre

If you are unsure about the condition of your motorcycle tyres and think they may need replacing, why not book a free motorcycle tyre check at your local Protyre garage? You can do this by clicking the 'Find my Protyre' button above and typing your postcode into our online search tool. This will also provide you with the contact details of your nearest garage where our tyre professionals will be more than happy to give advice over the phone, should you wish to call them.

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About the author

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By Julia Freeman
Julia is Head of Brand Marketing for Micheldever Group and loves engaging with customers and the business as a whole to deliver their automotive needs.
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