About Sport Motorcycle Tires
time2011/10/19
Motorcycle tires are produced in a variety of shapes, patterns, treads and compounds used. Each has their particular performance benefits and drawbacks, and different mixes produce tires for different conditions. Sport motorcycle tires in particular tend to be a major selling point, giving the impression that an equipped street bike motorcycle will perform better. This is half-true and half a selling myth for marketing. Below are some of the reasons that clarify the issue.
Tire Compounds
The type of rubber and hardness in a tire production has a lot to do with the performance of a motorcycle tire. Sport tires tend to be softer and spongier because both factors provide better grip to the road surface. Michelin street bike motorcycle tires are traditionally chosen for this particular reason because the compounds produce a tire that gives a "stickier" feel for the rider. Stickiness is a critical performance issue because it means the tire holds better in turns and doesn't slide. The drawback of a softer, spongier tire is that the tire surface degrades faster, particularly on the race track. And once the tire has degraded enough, it will slide just as much as a hard street tire.
Hard tires, alternatively, are more street bike motorcycle durable over the useful life of a tire, but they don't hold road surface as well. On tight turns driven at speed, it is common to have hard tires slip and slide, which can cause accidents.
Tire Compounds
The type of rubber and hardness in a tire production has a lot to do with the performance of a motorcycle tire. Sport tires tend to be softer and spongier because both factors provide better grip to the road surface. Michelin street bike motorcycle tires are traditionally chosen for this particular reason because the compounds produce a tire that gives a "stickier" feel for the rider. Stickiness is a critical performance issue because it means the tire holds better in turns and doesn't slide. The drawback of a softer, spongier tire is that the tire surface degrades faster, particularly on the race track. And once the tire has degraded enough, it will slide just as much as a hard street tire.
Hard tires, alternatively, are more street bike motorcycle durable over the useful life of a tire, but they don't hold road surface as well. On tight turns driven at speed, it is common to have hard tires slip and slide, which can cause accidents.