Motorbike tyres

Roadsters, sports bikes, tourers, adventure bikes, cruisers and scooters place different demands on their tyres. Start with the product family designed for the way you ride most often.
Browse motorcycle tyre categories

The front tyre has a major influence on steering and braking, while the rear transmits drive and carries more load. Front and rear sizes and ratings can therefore be different.

Width, aspect ratio, rim diameter, construction, load index and speed rating all matter. Markings such as M/C, FRONT, REAR, TL and TT can also provide important fitment information.
Understand motorcycle tyre markings

Radial or cross-ply, tubeless or tube-type: the tyre must suit the wheel and the motorcycle manufacturer’s specification. Similar dimensions do not automatically make two tyres interchangeable.

For daily use, predictable low-speed steering, stable braking and confidence on cool or damp tarmac are valuable qualities.

When rain is a regular part of the ride, look for progressive feedback and dependable wet behaviour. Painted lines, drain covers and polished surfaces still require extra care.

On narrower and more winding roads, steering response, stability under braking and consistency through repeated corners become more noticeable. A balanced tyre is often easier to trust across changing surfaces.

For longer journeys, give more weight to stability, comfort, mileage and load capability. Use the pressure figures specified for the motorcycle when carrying a passenger or luggage.

Adventure tyres range from road-focused designs to much more off-road-oriented patterns. Choose the road/off-road balance that reflects how often you genuinely leave tarmac.

Sport-touring, hypersport and adventure tyres are designed around different priorities. Keep the comparison within the same use category.

Dry and wet grip are important, but so are stability, steering feel, comfort and mileage. The right choice is the tyre with the balance that suits your use.
Read motorcycle tyre tests and reviews

Reviews can reveal useful patterns in wear, wet-weather confidence or steering feel, especially when the rider uses a similar motorcycle in similar conditions.

Major brands offer several product families with different characteristics. The specific model and its intended use tell you more than the brand name alone.
Browse motorcycle tyre brands

If you do not have the full tyre code, use the motorcycle search to identify the intended front and rear sizes before ordering.
Find tyres for my motorcycle

Confirm that the workshop handles motorcycles and whether the price covers wheel removal, balancing, valves or fitting to loose wheels. Services can vary between centres.
Find motorcycle tyre fitting

Use the motorcycle manufacturer’s figures and take account of passenger or luggage loads where different pressures are specified.
Motorcycle tyre pressure advice

A fresh profile can make the motorcycle steer more quickly than worn tyres. Use the first rides to get used to the new feel before increasing lean angle, braking force or acceleration.
Advice for new motorcycle tyres

Only if that size is approved for the motorcycle. A wider tyre can change its profile on the rim and alter steering behaviour.

Not always. They can wear at different rates, but the remaining tyre and the new tyre must still form a compatible front/rear combination.

TL means Tubeless and TT means Tube Type. The wheel and specified fitment determine which setup is correct.

Some combinations are acceptable and others are not recommended. Check manufacturer guidance if you are not fitting a matched pair.

Uneven wear, flattening, cracking, cuts, deformation or an unusual change in handling are all reasons to have the tyre inspected.

The DOT code includes the week and year of manufacture. Age alone does not determine condition; storage, use and visible deterioration also matter.