Motorcycle tires are the connecting element between the bike and the road. They affect the safety of the rider, their passengers, and other road users, as well as the quality of the bike. Motorcycle tires unlock the potential of the bike and control acceleration, steering, and deceleration.
Any tires must be selected according to the season. You should not ride on winter tires in summer, and in winter, you need to put wheels with special tires for use in the cold season. Rarely any motorcycle driver rides on the wall of ice in the cold season, so most often, all-season or summer tires are used. We will consider their main differences and peculiarities of choice.
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Summer and All-Season Tires for Motorcycles
Most of the motorcycle tires are all-season. It means that they can be used throughout the season, except for those conditions that are not marked. All-season tires are suitable for dry and wet weather, but not for extreme driving. This category should be used in regions with a moderate climate, where summer is not extremely hot. You can ride all-season motorcycle tires at temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
At lower temperatures, the rubber starts to harden as it is not designed for cold. It impairs grip and reduces handling, increasing the risk of accidents. At higher temperatures, the rubber material overheats and melts, causing it to slide along the track.
For warmer climates, the California example is to use summer tires rather than all-season motorcycle tires. They can be used even at temperatures from 100 degrees Fahrenheit. But at 70 degrees and below, the rubber starts to harden.
Weather Markings
When choosing motorcycle tires, take into account the weather conditions in which you will mainly ride. Is rainfall in your region a rarity? Then you should give preference to models with a smoother tread without a special designation for use in the rain. If you frequently drive on wet roads, you should choose a special series of tires with a more pronounced tread, which has drainage. For wet grip, the tread should have many grooves and be very soft. The more “cut” and softer the rubber, the more water the tread will overcome.
Additionally, look at the special weather mark on the tire:
- Rain, Aqua, Water — for driving on a wet road;
- AS — all-season driving;
- M+S — all-season driving, including driving on slush;
- Winter — winter-driving.
Tires without any weather markings are summer standard.
Summing up on the Motorcycle Tires
It is safe to operate two-wheeled transport only at plus temperature, without snow or ice on the road. Before you buy motorcycle tires, you need to determine the weather conditions when you intend to ride the transport. Seasonality is determined only for tires for tourist bikes, usually used even in the snow. But in this case, we are talking about a special series of products with metal spikes or a very deep tread.