Verify the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer are operating correctly. Remember to inspect them on a regular basis making the necessary adjustments to any damaged or worn parts. For instance, how much brake pad material remains? The start of the warmer months is a good time to replace them if they are getting close to the end of their life expectancy.
The reason we chose to feature the Commander II is for its proven longevity. These rear tires have a mileage of up to 25,000 miles. This could even be longer, as research shows that some verified purchasers have recorded 40,000 miles. On top of the unrivaled life, Commander II has an excellent wet weather grip, stability, and maneuverability ratings. To mitigate any development of uneven wear in these stylish tires, there is Silica Rain Technology, which integrates silica into the tire’s material when making the treads. Adding to the tires maneuverability is their exclusive architecture and the high-density carcass.
Let’s use a typical example of what you can find on a tire: 130/90 R 16 67 H. In this scenario, there are five things you can immediately deduce from this information. ‘130’ is the section width. This means that when the tire is installed, its widest width is 130mm. If you pick the wrong section width, the tire won’t fit. The code ‘90’ refers to a 90% aspect ratio, which technically refers to the tire’s height. A short sidewall means a low aspect ratio.
Thankfully, you’re free to upgrade your tires at will which is what we suggest that you do as soon as you wear them out. The tire you choose to fit will be entirely up to you but clearly some perform better than others. As with most things in life, it’s a compromise between affordability and performance as well as taking into account exactly what you use your bike for.
When you only have 2 tires, the choice is twice as important. The best motorcycle tires can not only make your machine handle the way the manufacturer intended, they can actually enhance the character of your motorcycle for your particular application and style of riding, inspiring more confidence, and ultimately more fun. And if you aren't seeing what you are looking for in the 2019 guide, you can always shop the best options from last year in the Best Motorcycle Tires of 2018 Gear Guide.
Ken is author of "Motorcycling the Right Way” and "Riding in the Zone" (book and blog). He is also the "Street Savvy" columnist for Motorcyclist Magazine, and former longtime author of the Proficient Motorcycling and Street Strategies columns for Motorcycle Consumer News. Ken is Lead Instructor for Tony's Track Days, a 20 year Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor, and owner of Riding in the Zone Motorcyclist Training.
But, these bikes can also be a hindrance to stress free learning. Many new track day riders are better off with a simple, low powered machine that keeps them running a bit slower until they can get a handle on racetrack riding. One reason my friend Josh was having trouble at his first several track days is because he was driven to ride his GSXR1000 faster than he should have. Read about Josh’s mishap.
Today the brand makes car and van 4x4 tires, bicycle tires, specialty tires, truck and bus tires, and motorcycle tires. From their extensive motorcycle tire line, we picked the ContiMotion tires for their affordability and performance ratings. These tires deliver an unmatched combination of mileage, price, and grip all year-round. Courtesy of their unique polymer compound and a modern tread pattern, these tires will serve you for years,
Of course, it doesn’t take a hundred-fifty horses to get into trouble. A well setup 70 hp bike like an SV650 can corner just as fast as a literbike, but the nature of the Gixxer liter bike often begs riders to unleash all the available horses. However, if what you have is a liter bike, don’t shy away from a track day. Just be extra aware of the temptation you can feel when piloting a hyper-superbike and keep the throttle in check.
