Motorcycle Tire: : The Must have component
History
Motorcycle tires seems the black rubber hoops to prevent your wheels from cutting the pavement. These are cutting edge traction providing technologies that, despite the fact that the fundamental idea is unchanged, get better every year. The air cushion that tires provide between your vehicle and the ground gives them their shape and enables them to adapt to different surfaces and absorb bumps, which is why tires function so well. Motorcycle tire history shows a clear trend of steadily increasing grip, which has led to greater acceleration, braking, and turning as well as increased comfort, safety, dependability, and durability. The general trend of this growth has been a continual increase in tire width, to the point that Kevin Cameron observed that riders are tempted to overload their motorcycles with the largest tires they can find, believing that “bigger must be better in every way”. At a certain level of technological sophistication, every design decision—such as tire width, diameter, cross-section curvature, and the geometry of the motorcycle the tires are intended for—carries some trade-off and compromise. Nevertheless, many advancements in tire materials and construction have produced undeniable benefits.
The DUNLOP Company: John Dunlop created what was recognized as the first workable pneumatic tire for a tricycle back in 1887, and on December 7, 1888, he was granted a patent for it. Belfast, Ireland, started manufacturing commercial tires shortly after in 1890. William DuCros and Mr. Dunlop formed a partnership that would eventually become the Dunlop Rubber Company. This fundamental design has been in use for almost a century all around the world. Tires were originally made of natural rubber, but today almost all tires are made of synthetic rubber, which is a mixture of petroleum and other compounds including silicone, carbon black, and sulfur. The process of building tires involves assembling the cable and belting framework first, then applying and molding rubber, which is vulcanized at a high temperature to fuse the components together and make the tires ready for riding on our favorite motorcycle.
Motorcycle Tire Evaluation
A transversely segmented band on a banded radial run-flat pneumatic tire that modifies the band’s circumferential bending stiffness in relation to its longitudinal bending stiffness. The band can be divided into coaxial band elements with varying diameters or annular, side-by-side hoop-like structures. To give the band its intended operational characteristics, an elastomer bonded between adjacent circumferential edges of the band elements joins them for cooperative association. To customize the band’s performance, the elastomer’s elasticity and the distance between its components can be chosen. It is ideal for the band’s bending stiffness to be 1000 times greater around than it is transversely across the band.
As tire quality advanced during 1915 to 1929, wired-on beads started to replace beaded edge tires. These tires used steel loops placed in the edge to keep the tire from expanding under pressure, meaning the bead no longer required a grooved rim to stay in place. By 1930, wire-on tires had entirely replaced the outdated banded-edge tires. Throughout 1956 and 1964, the average tire traction increased by 40%, leading to enhance cornering performance, shorter stopping distances, and an overall gain in safety. This was the outcome of a wider variety of tire sizes becoming available on the market, ranging from compact scooter tires measuring 3.5 in by 8 in (89 mm by 203 mm) to large motorcycle tires measuring 4.5 in by 19 in (110 mm by 480 mm). The options were further increased by a range of rubber compounds and tread patterns designed specifically for racing, off-road use, wet and smooth highways, and sidecars.[6] Rubber, both synthetic and natural, was utilized, and tires with rayon, cotton, and nylon fibers were added for different structural advantages.
Larger tire sizes followed larger engine displacements in the early motorcycle industry, so by 1909–1914, motorcycles with displacements between 250 and 350 cc (15 to 21 cu in) were equipped with 26 in (660 mm) diameter tires with a 2+1⁄4 in (57 mm) section, and motorcycles with displacements over 350 cc were equipped with 2+3⁄8 to 2+1⁄2 in (60 to 64 mm) section tyres. With a higher seat height, Indian tires measured 3.0 in × 28 in (76 mm × 711 mm), providing even more comfort for riders.
Motorcycle Tire CODE Details
The tire industry has its own lingo, much like any other trade. You’ll also be in a lot better position to determine what you need if you can understand the jargon. Fortunately, a lot of it makes sense and is scientific; in fact, a lot of what you need is currently written down and can be found outside, while riding your bike!
No, we’re not referring about the owner’s manual that is hidden under the seat, even though it does include some useful information. It’s even simpler than that: tires are required by law to have a ton of information about size, speed, weight ratings, and much more branded onto the side of them. If you can decipher these characters, numbers, and symbols, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert on tires. Here is our concise, yet thorough, explanation of what it all implies.
Sizing (Code 1,2,4)
The tire’s actual physical size, which is typically the most noticeable text on the sidewall after the branding, is an excellent place to start. The standard size of a front tire is 100/80-17, while the rear is 140/60-17. The indication is divided into three parts: the tire’s width in millimeters, its “aspect ratio,” or essentially how tall the tire is in relation to its width, and the diameter of the wheel the tire fits in inches. Accordingly, a standard 100/80 17 front tire measures 100 mm in width (1), 80 % of 100 mm (or approximately 80 mm) in height (2), and it fits onto a 17-inch rim (4).
Type Road vs Cross-PLY (Code 3)
The two primary forms of internal tire construction are as follows: radial tires are 90 degrees to the direction of travel due to bands of reinforcing cords positioned radially from one tire rim edge across the tread to the other. Older tire technology known as crossply tires makes use of various configurations of “plies,” or materials, that cross over one another beneath the tire tread. Crossply tires are better suited for off-road vehicles, commuter cycles, and older bikes because they often have taller sidewalls. The letter “R” appears after the speed rating on radial tires. Thus, 140/60 R17 63P is a radial with a P speed rating.
Load Index (Code 6)
Similar to the speed rating, tires are made to support specific weight loads, once more, you must ensure that the tire is appropriate for your bike. Verify the weight you intend to carry, including any applicable pillion and luggage. Note that the weight limit is for each tire. The allowed weight is indicated on the tire in addition to the load index, which is a two-digit number. Please contact us if you have any questions about Load Index. So 140/60 R17 63P marks Load index 63 to 272,0 KGs
| Index | KG. | LBS. |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 106 | 234 |
| 31 | 109 | 240 |
| 32 | 112 | 245 |
| 33 | 115 | 254 |
| 34 | 118 | 260 |
| 35 | 121 | 267 |
| 36 | 125 | 276 |
| 37 | 128 | 282 |
| 38 | 128 | 282 |
| 39 | 136 | 300 |
| 40 | 140 | 309 |
| 41 | 145 | 320 |
| 42 | 150 | 331 |
| 43 | 155 | 342 |
| 44 | 160 | 353 |
| 45 | 165 | 364 |
| 46 | 170 | 375 |
| 47 | 175 | 386 |
| 48 | 180 | 397 |
| 49 | 185 | 408 |
| 50 | 190 | 419 |
| 51 | 195 | 430 |
| 52 | 200 | 441 |
| 53 | 206 | 454 |
| 55 | 218 | 490 |
| 54 | 212 | 467 |
| 56 | 224 | 494 |
| 57 | 230 | 507 |
| 58 | 236 | 520 |
| 59 | 243 | 536 |
| 60 | 250 | 551 |
| 61 | 257 | 567 |
| 62 | 265 | 584 |
| 63 | 272 | 600 |
| 64 | 280 | 617 |
| 65 | 290 | 640 |
| 66 | 300 | 661 |
| 67 | 307 | 677 |
| 68 | 315 | 695 |
| 69 | 325 | 717 |
| 70 | 335 | 738 |
| 71 | 345 | 761 |
| 72 | 355 | 783 |
| 73 | 365 | 805 |
| 74 | 375 | 827 |
| 75 | 387 | 853 |
| 76 | 400 | 882 |
| 77 | 412 | 908 |
| 78 | 425 | 937 |
| 79 | 437 | 963 |
| 80 | 450 | 992 |
| 81 | 462 | 1019 |
| 82 | 475 | 1047 |
| 83 | 487 | 1074 |
| 84 | 500 | 1102 |
| 85 | 515 | 1135 |
| 86 | 530 | 1168 |
| 87 | 545 | 1201 |
| 88 | 560 | 1235 |
| 89 | 580 | 1279 |
| 90 | 600 | 1323 |
Speed Rating (Code 7)
There is a maximum speed rating on tires because the forces acting on them become more severe at higher speeds. It is imperative that you select a tire that is appropriate for your bike in terms of its top speed. The speed rating is shown next to the size as a single capital letter. For example, a common rear tire would be 140/600 R17 63P, which is good for speeds of over 150 kmph or 95 mph.
| Speed Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code Letter | Max. MPH | Max. KPH |
| J | 62 | 100 |
| K | 68 | 110 |
| L | 75 | 120 |
| M | 81 | 130 |
| N | 87 | 140 |
| P | 93 | 150 |
| Q | 99 | 160 |
| R | 106 | 170 |
| S | 112 | 180 |
| T | 118 | 190 |
| U | 124 | 200 |
| H | 130 | 210 |
| V220 | 137 | 220 |
| V230 | 143 | 230 |
| V or V240 | 149 | 240 |
| V250 | 155 | 250 |
| V260 | 161 | 260 |
| W or V270 | 168 | 270 |
| V280 | 174 | 280 |
| V290 | 180 | 290 |
| Y or V300 | 186 | 300 |
| Z | above 149 | above 240 |
Motorcycle Tire Type: Tube or Tubless (Code 8)
There are two types of tires: tube-type and tubeless. Tube-type tires have an airtight lining, so they don’t require an inner tube to hold the air in.Here, the decision is based on your wheels. Because the wire spokes aren’t sealed where they join the outer rim, air would leak out, old-fashioned wire-spoked rims require inner tubes, just like a bicycle. Therefore, tube-type rims require the use of an inner tube; however, tubeless or tube-type tires may be utilized instead. Tubeless wire spoked wheels are currently used in certain recent designs; the spokes attach to the rim’s outer edge rather than through the center, keeping the rim airtight.The outside of the tire will be tagged to let you know if it tube type or tubeless.
Rotation Arrow (Code 9)
The majority of tires feature an arrow on the side since they are made to be used exclusively in one direction. When the tire is on the bike and traveling ahead, make sure the arrow is pointing in the correct direction! When purchasing a bike or having tires installed, make sure to verify this since it can be hazardous and a MOT failure if done incorrectly.
Usually, the arrow is marked “front” or “rear,” so you know which end to attach it to! It’s quite easy to remember: never put a front tire on a back wheel or vice versa. There are very few tires that can be installed on either the front or the back, and they are typically traditional or low-capacity fittings.
Date Code and DOT (Code 10)
Tires survive a long time, but like beer cans, they ultimately go bad. Therefore, it is recommended to use them as soon as possible and then get some fresh ones, just like with beer cans. You can monitor the age of your tires by looking up the production date, which is represented by a four-digit number surrounded by an oval. Since the numerals are two-digit week and two-digit year, a tire created in week 23 of 2023 would be designated as “2323.” The US Department of Transportation, or DOT, certifies that a tire is safe to drive on and has successfully completed mandatory safety homologation testing.
Brand / Model / Logo (Code 11)
The model and the manufacturer’s name are prominently shown on the screen since it functions as a rolling advertisement for them. Businesses put a lot of effort into designing their logos and other graphics so that the sidewall is as attractive as possible.
Country of Origin – COO (Code 12)
Shows the country of Origin of the tire
When choosing motorcycle tires, it is also important to consider the intended use of the motorcycle as well as the rider’s skill level and experience. Sport-oriented tires are designed for high-performance riding and are often used on sport motorcycles and high-performance cruisers. Touring tires are designed for long-distance riding and provide a comfortable ride and good fuel efficiency.
It’s important to choose the right type of tire for your specific motorcycle and riding style and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for tire pressure, loading, and replacement. It’s also important to regularly check the tread depth and the overall condition of the tires and replace them if they show signs of wear or damage.
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