About Motorcycle Tire

The most important but uncared part of motorcycle is the tire, which directly influences operation, driving and safety.
How to choose the right tire
Wearing resistance:
It is important to consider the wearing resistance when choosing tire. Soft tire can increase pushing force but has poor wearing quality, while hardened tire goes the opposite. Manufacturers therefore try to find a balance between running performance and road haul. Driver, however, is the key factor that influences the tire, and insufficient pressure is the most important factor that damages the tire. According to statistics collected by maintenance service providers, 85% damages are resulted from insufficient pressure, which not only makes driving dangerous but also shortens the lifespan of tire by 20%-40% or so. Therefore, it is suggested to inflate tire in accordance to the maximum pressure marked on tire by manufacturer of tire rather than that printed in the user's guide issued by motorcycle maker. Only that can ensure the best performance of tire.
Besides, driving methods also may cause abrasion. In the case of cruise motorcycle driving, the rear tire carries most of the weight and most drivers tend to use the rear brake, so it is faster for the rear tire to wear away. On the other hand, radical and crazy driver usually use the front brake in order to turn the corner along its inner side at a high speed, so the front tire load more pushing force and brake force. Under such case, it is faster for the front tire to wear off.
Tire manufacturers usually scratch the pattern of the rear tire much deeper than that of the front tire so as to balance the wearing resistance of the two tires. When changing tire, you'd better change the two at one time in order to ensure balanced pushing force of the front and the rear tire. Besides, it is suggested to change the cranked tire valve as well.

How to choose tire properly

Exterior shell — the covered secret
Do you surrender yourself to the clerk when choosing tire? In fact, tire carries secret that can be found out if you give it a second thought. Comprehension of the numbers or signals printed on tire can help you understand tire more, and at least help you make your own decision when choosing tire.
Some numbers on the outer side of tire can be seen if you are careful enough. [205/55R15/60/H] for example, "205" refers to the width of tire, "55" the flatness rate, "R" the manufacturing method, '"15" the interior diameter or the rim diameter, "60" the load restriction, and "H" the safe speed limitation. Such numbers are used as identification mark of order among tire manufactures or between producers and repairing mills. For common customers, it is difficult to understand. To understand these figures will help you a lot when choosing tire.

Flatness rate:

You must know the flatness rate and safe speed limitation of tire. Flatness rate = the width of tire÷the height of tire. Generally speaking, the higher the rate is, the better the tire is. That is to say, higher tire is much more comfortable. For general use, the popular rate is 65 or 75. 85 may be chosen for best comfortable driving. While for some drivers who focus on ground pushing performance of motorcycle, they would like choose 55.

Safe speed limitation:

According to ISO, safe speed limitation can be divided into sixteen grades from F to ZR. F stands for 80km/h and ZR 240km/h. The higher the grade is, of course, the better the performance is, but the price is also higher. To choose which grade should depend on your habit and budget. These grade signals are not marked on common tires but on high-performance tires.

Place of production

Place of production is marked on tire. In some cases, one same international famous brand may have different production places. Rubber used therefore varies from place to place. The P Tire, for example, that are made in Brazil and Germany are in great difference in their property or price. Customers, however, only focus on brand name and are blind to their production place, and therefore customers are misguided and offered the worst. Apart from that, performance of tire depends on the pattern deign and the materials used for the interior layer. For that, there is long story to tell, and customer may collect relevant knowledge from special magazines in order to comprehend these signals and patterns.

Table of Identifications of Grade of Safe Speed Limitation
F: 80km/h
G: 90km/h
J: 100km/h
K: 110km/h
L: 120km/h
M: 130km/h
N: 140km/h
P: 150km/h
Q: 160km/h
R: 170km/h
S: 180km/h
T: 190km/h
U: 200km/h
H: 210km/h
V: 240km/h