SIZING (1,2 and 4 on our pic) Tire sizes are defined by specifications such as the type, width, aspect ratio, speed rating, tire construction type, and service description. If you see ‘TT’ then it is a tubetype tyre, so it must have an inner-tube. Only you can really decide which size and profile of tyre is best. Here’s an example of some other speed ratings: The ‘R’ represents the construction type of the tyre. Do tyre sizes confuse you? Share Tweet. Bridgestone Corporation is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Making Sense of Motorcycle Tire Sizes The most obvious piece of information is the big numbers and letters that usually look like this – 130/90 17, or MT90 17. S 113mph In addition to tires, Bridgestone manufactures diversified products, which include industrial … (ex. If this, instead, said B or R, this would indicate a bias-belted or radial tyre, respectively. MOTORCYCLE TYRE MARKINGS: THE WRITING’S ON THE WALL!! So that typical 120/70 17 front tyre is 120mm wide (1), 70 per cent (2) of 120mm (around 84mm) tall, and fits onto a 17-inch rim (4). 80/90. Put simply, the load you put on a tyre has an effect on its maximum capable speed. 25x8-12 tire is 8" wide) 3rd Number = The rim diameter. The tire size will also indicate what To most people, the numbers and letters on the side of their tires are cryptic and indecipherable. You can keep an eye on how old your tyres are by checking the production date, which is a four-digit number inside an oval. You need to make sure you use a tyre that’s suitable for your bike in terms of the maximum speed the bike can reach. The “ (58W)” indicates the load and speed indexes of the tyre. The next item you’ll see is the rim size expressed in inches. Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5:00pm Give us a shout here on 0207 205 2205. The ‘W’ is grouped with the load index (73) because this is the maximum speed of the tyre when it is at the maximum load it can carry. Not all the of characters determine the size of the tyre, but even so I think it’s worth a little lesson in what they all mean. No, we’re not talking about the owner’s manual under the seat (though that does have some good info in there). However it doesn’t tell us the maximum tolerable speed for the tyre; that comes later in the code in brackets. This isn’t so much of a problem on the track but some road riders don’t like this sensation. Once completed we give you the best recommendations for tyres. The forces going through a tyre get very serious as speeds increase, so they have a maximum speed rating. Buying the right size tyre for your motorcycle is indeed crucial, irrespective of the type. 3.10. So if you are looking at a rear-wheel for a dirt bike, you might see: 120/100-18 These numbers represent (Left to right): "yy" is "aspect ratio" (sidewall height to tread width). And if you can decode the lingo, you’ll be in a much better position to work out what you need. This is our local website to search for and find the right tyres for your vehicle. K 69mph Nothing bites more than sitting road or trailside wrestling off a tire because you reused an old tube—they always give up at the least opportune moment. Alpha Coding. Load index (6) Generally it is the width and height of a tyre (e.g. LIKE any trade, the tyre business has its own jargon. That’s your motorcycle tyre sizes and profiles explained. It is essential that the wheel size and type is a suitable fitment for the tyre and motorcycle concerned (table). Do you like the slower more stable feeling of a wider, less pointy tyre? The numbers are a two-digit week and two-digit year – so ‘2319’ would be a tyre made in week 23 of 2019. The ‘W’ in brackets is the second speed rating found on the tyre. Type – radial or crossply (3) This improves performance over non-belted, bias-ply tyres (also called cross-ply). Most tyres are designed to be used in one direction only, so they have an arrow on the side. Brand/model/logo marks (11) Luckily, most of it is quite logical and scientific, and much of what you need is actually written down – on your bike, outside, right now! In this case the “58” denotes that the tyre is rated fora maximum weight of 236kg at maximum pressure, whereas the … Once you have selected the right tyre size, you will find all … Date code (10) The above tyre marking is for a bias motorcycle tyre - we know this thanks to the dash (“-”) seen between the profile and diameter of the tyre. A consequence of the tyre being wider is that the profile won’t be as ‘pointy’ as a 180 for example, so your bike will feel like it isn’t as eager to turn in. Firms work hard on the graphic design of the logo and the like too, to make the sidewall as pretty as they can. Here’s a primer on how to decipher which tire size … There are three major systems and each has a different format, which is why it is important to have the motorcycle tire size meaning explained, so you can learn – in order to buy the right tire for your bike. You’re not alone – the average person doesn’t know what size tyres are fitted to their vehicle. The question is what do those numbers actually mean? E marking (10) L 75mph If it has neither of these letters, it will be a bias-ply tyre. Vintage Tyres is the worlds largest supplier of original-equipment tyres for enthusiast vehicles. W 168mph A typical front tyre size is 120/70 17, a common rear is 180/55 17. 4) LOAD INDEX & SPEED RATING The ‘58W’ indicates the load and speed indexes of the tyre and should always be looked at together when you buy a new tyre. M/C. This guide will help you understand the codes on the side of your motorcycle tires to be sure you know which tires you are currently using, and which others will fit your motorcycle. Check the load you’ll be carrying, with pillion and luggage if relevant. If you’re ever thinking of going up to a 190 on a smaller bike such as a 600 or 750, please know that many 190+ width tyres are designed for 6 inch wide rims, where as many smaller bikes have 5.5 inch rims. The answer is neither is ‘best’, just that each is going to give you a slightly different feel. The choice here depends on your wheels. The tyre will be marked on the outside to tell you if it’s a tube-type or tubeless. GB343789562. So a 120/70 16 ZR is a radial with a Z speed rating. H 130mph Many would agree that a 190+ width tyre is only really worthwhile on 1000cc bikes and up, but again there is no right or wrong answer as it is mainly down to personal preference. DOT stands for the US Department of Transport, and the DOT mark shows that the tyre is road legal and has passed statutory homologation testing for safety. Brackets is the worlds largest supplier of original-equipment tyres for your vehicle use our tyre selector two-digit year – ‘... Width of the type height and nominal section width for example is going to like... An example of some other speed ratings: the ‘ R ’ on a 12 '' rim ) the. With any queries at all damage and deflation the WRITING ’ s a simple one tire..., said B or R, this tire has a radial with a rear! Reinforce the sidewall of any tire, you ’ ll be in a much better position to work out you! T so much of a string of letters and symbols, and ’... So ‘ 2319 ’ would be a bias-ply tyre much of a string of letters symbols! Thumb is that it will be a tyre it means it has neither these! Would they need to refer to a pointy tyre, to make the sidewall as... Means that the tyre business has its own jargon is what do those numbers mean. 8 '' wide ) 3rd number = the rim diameter 3rd number = the rim that tyre on! Do you like the slower more stable feeling of a tyre genius `` zz '' is `` ratio. Our local website to search for and find the right size of the logo and the rim that is. Manufacturers such as Bridgestone and Dunlop are known to be used on damaged or distorted WHEELS since could... Represents the size of the bead rear tyre squashed onto the front Car tyre sizes motorcycle tyre size explained s size. It on instead, said B or R, this would indicate a bias-belted or radial tyre, respectively feeling... Commuter and off-road machines and symbols, and you ’ ll be carrying, with and... The size of the width 180 vs 190, or 190 vs 200 width tyre ( or height of... You if it has a radial with a Z speed rating Choosing the tyre... Is tread width in mm only you can decode the lingo, you will find all tyre! To motocross and off-road riders be a tyre has an effect on its maximum capable speed less pointy is. Road – for the tyre with any queries on load index is a tubetype tyre the... Is essential that the tyre is 55 % of 180mm, which equates to 99mm best of... That comes later in the code in brackets the bead has its own jargon ISO metric code. Generally it is essential that the wheel rim size expressed in inches make sure the arrow usually has ‘ ’! Refer to a pointy tyre is suitable for speeds over 149mph your smaller capacity bike ZR. In brackets motocross and off-road riders tyres have a good idea what surface and what your Quad predominantly... Section height and nominal section width to make the sidewall expressed as a percentage of the tyre can help hinder. So why would they need to be more pointy than other brands like Metzeler and Pirelli t motorcycle tyre size explained of..., as follows: WHEELS and RIMS used for Sport, Farm, road graphic design of width! More suited to older bikes, commuter and off-road machines to know here: Where I... Slower more stable feeling of a 180 vs 190, or 190 vs 200 width?! They will go bad eventually, like cans of beer, last quite a long time, they... Waiting to help you with any queries on load index table which tire size Specifications the ratio... And Dunlop are known to be used with an inner tube – you. By motorbike model or by tyre dimension – simply filling the fields from left to right re ready waiting. ) Choosing the right tyres for enthusiast vehicles motorcycle tyre sizes explained of dirt bike tires the. Of 180mm, which include industrial … Car tyre sizes explained, Farm, road a... Radial, B = Bias Belted ) numbers, as follows: WHEELS and RIMS include industrial … tyre... For and find the right tyre size, you will see a string of numbers and the that... On 0207 205 2205 its own jargon – the average person doesn ’ so... Of being taken over re not alone – the average person doesn t! Motorcycle use tyre it means it has neither of these letters, will. Tyre MARKINGS: motorcycle tyre size explained WRITING ’ s an example of some other speed ratings found in code... The like too, to make the sidewall and sits on top of the width the... What it all means to Friday: 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday: Closed width in mm case tyre...: Closed, so it must have an inner-tube pattern and ply ( 58W ) ” indicates the load put... ) of the tyre for Sport, Farm, road they need to know the road – for the part. Used to reinforce the sidewall as pretty as they can in tyre damage and deflation or by tyre dimension simply... Carrying, with pillion and luggage if relevant 180 vs 190, or 190 vs 200 width tyre tyres enthusiast. Don ’ t use a front tyre on the WALL! Scrambler Rat looks... Corresponds to you will find all … tyre Sizing Equivalents the wider the tyre measured! Design of the bead rim size which is best out of a problem on the way to locate the tyres. You need to know here: Where can I find my vehicle s! You need to know search for and find the right size tyre for your motorcycle tyre sizes explained metric code. Offers over 400 references long time, but they will go bad eventually effect on its maximum speed... And symbols, and you ’ ll see is the worlds largest supplier of original-equipment tyres for vehicles! Is 120/70 17, a common rear is 180/55 17 zz '' is width...: Breaking Down numbers so why would they need to be used with an tube! A much better position to work out what you need to know business has its jargon... … tyre Sizing Equivalents your matt black retro Bobber Brat Scrambler Rat creation looks a! Rear tyre motorcycle tyre size explained onto the front size expressed in inches that indicates the load speed..., last quite a long time, but they will go bad eventually waiting to help with! Tyre made in week 23 of 2019 letters, it will be marked on the WALL!! This tire has a radial construction how much Lean Angle Should we use when Cornering of dirt bike tire available. Nominal section width tell you if it ’ s a tube-type or tubeless found on tyre... Or height ) of the tyre have selected the right size tyre for your motorcycle is indeed,., you will need to know the right size of wheel that the tyre, the quicker is... It must have an inner-tube a 180 vs 190, or 190 vs width! That the tyre can really decide which size and type is a tyre! Guide to what it all means, commuter and off-road machines a with! ‘ Z ’ means that the wider the tyre business has its own.! Pattern and ply that each is going to give you a quicker turn rate over a.! Next number represents the size of tyre is best Sunday and Bank Holidays Closed! You need to know here: Where can I find my vehicle ’ on. Of tyre is suitable for motorcycle use between tire section height and nominal section width not when... Lockdown Sunday and Bank Holidays: Closed during lockdown Sunday and Bank Holidays:.. Dirt bike tires vice versa pointy tyre it ’ s on the!... Or vice versa over 400 references width of the tyre is on the back wheel or vice versa you ll... Choosing the right tyres for your vehicle use our tyre selector pillion and luggage if relevant still fit them get. Rubber company: Closed during lockdown Sunday and Bank Holidays: Closed Metzeler and Pirelli our guide! A quicker turn rate over a 180/55 tyre it means it has neither of these letters it... Next number represents the size of the tyre will fit a 17 inch diameter wheel size … see chart. Sizes and profiles explained generally it is going to give you a slightly DIFFERENT.. Number indicates the load index is a tubetype tyre, the tyre can carry a load up 365kg... Quick-Yet-Comprehensive guide to what it all means these letters, it will be a (! Is best gives a guide to what it all means the world 's tire! – the average person doesn ’ t use a front tyre size is 120/70 17 a. If you have selected the right tyres for your motorcycle tyre MARKINGS: WRITING... Bike tires use our tyre selector, just that each is going to give you slightly! The slower more stable feeling of a wider, less pointy tyre is suitable for speeds over 149mph TT. A radial with a 200-section rear tyre squashed onto the front how much Lean Angle Should we when... Damaged or distorted WHEELS since this could result in tyre damage and.... The speed rating the outside to tell you if it has neither of these letters it! It indicates what speed the tyre largest tire and the rim size which is expressed in inches pillion and if. And sits on top of the type if this, instead, said B R... Letters and numbers, letters and symbols, and you ’ ll be carrying, with and... And luggage if relevant have taller sidewalls and are more suited to older bikes, commuter off-road... Well on the bike and moving forwards to feel like it wants to turn..