When looking at buying track tyres you no doubt want to buy the very best tyres for your money, but with each manufacturer spouting endless lines of marketing gumf it’s tough to know which is best. Keep in mind that each of the below tyres have been designed, tested and manufactured to an extremely high standard, so for 99% of track day riders any of the below tyres will more than perform to the level you would expect (and want) from this type of motorcycle tyre.
It is a well-known fact that most tire brands offer tires that look the same – regardless if they are for bicycles, motorcycles, or cars. However, these tires are radically different below the surface. This is the concept behind Kenda’s tires. Kenda has a history of an impressive expertise in manufacturing ATV tires, cars, motorcycles, and powersports tires. The company opened its doors in 1962 and started manufacturing bicycle tires. After 8 years, they introduced bias motorcycle tires and scooter tires. After another 8 years, they introduced lawn and garden tires. Finally, Kenda introduced trailer tires, golf cart tires, and passenger car radial tires.
When looking at buying track tyres you no doubt want to buy the very best tyres for your money, but with each manufacturer spouting endless lines of marketing gumf it’s tough to know which is best. Keep in mind that each of the below tyres have been designed, tested and manufactured to an extremely high standard, so for 99% of track day riders any of the below tyres will more than perform to the level you would expect (and want) from this type of motorcycle tyre.
You can never be totally confident that your motorcycle tires will last long enough unless you go for a brand that is synonymous with quality. One such tire brand is Michelin, which has been on the market for over 120 years. Today, Michelin is among the three leading manufacturers and marketers of tires globally. This is no small feat, considering that the company has stood the tests of time, technological improvements, and vigorous competition for all those years. Research shows that annually, this French company releases over 184 million tires.
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.
Another important part of a wheel is the sidewall, where important information about the wheel is displayed. Apart from being a board, the sidewall determines the bike handling and the load support. To make the correct decision, you must be in a position to decode the sidewall information. By just looking at the sidewall you can tell if the tire will fit on your bike and if it’ll meet your riding demands.
That said, there are a lot of good reasons for buying a dedicated track bike. One reason is that you can set it up for track riding by stripping unnecessary lights and street paraphernalia and mounting inexpensive and durable race bodywork. You can also add performance bits that are intended for racetrack use only, such as race tires, low clip-on handlebars and rigid rearset footpegs.
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.
Consider yourselves informed! Tires are updated every three years or so but the tires reviewed here currently represent the pinnacle of motoring. If you can’t afford the more expensive tires on test, go for one of the budget options. Whatever you do, stay away from lesser known manufacturers who really don’t have anything to offer. Continental, Michelin, Metzeler, Dunlop and even Yokohama should be at the top of your list.
The Roadtec 01 is what Metzeler describe as their Sports Touring Tyre and we wouldn’t disagree. The name of the game here is fast and dependable performance. A Ducati Multistrada 1200 has 160 bhp on tap and we know how they’re ridden – their owners want a tire that can keep up when the throttle is pulled back and maximum power is applied as well as when the rain comes. This tyre excels at both.
Whatever is most important to you in a set of tires, trust that we’ve ridden and reviewed the best to report back to you in our 2019 Motorcycle Tires Gear Guide! Find our top selections in every category, and then keep those insights in mind as you Shop All Motorcycle Tires on RevZilla.com. And if you need a refresher on the difference between bias ply & radial or metric sizing vs. alpha sizing, click on over to Common Tread’s Motorcycle Tires 101.
That said, there are a lot of good reasons for buying a dedicated track bike. One reason is that you can set it up for track riding by stripping unnecessary lights and street paraphernalia and mounting inexpensive and durable race bodywork. You can also add performance bits that are intended for racetrack use only, such as race tires, low clip-on handlebars and rigid rearset footpegs.
Some people think that they need a dedicated track bike to do a track day. But, this simply isn’t true as long as you have a motorcycle that has a reasonable amount of cornering clearance. This includes most standard, sport, sport touring, adventure, and even touring machines. Cruiser motorcycles are probably the only machines that are not really appropriate for fast cornering and spirited riding.
Another important part of a wheel is the sidewall, where important information about the wheel is displayed. Apart from being a board, the sidewall determines the bike handling and the load support. To make the correct decision, you must be in a position to decode the sidewall information. By just looking at the sidewall you can tell if the tire will fit on your bike and if it’ll meet your riding demands.
Take it from the experts, who’ve had the chance to try out all the latest rubber on a variety of bikes—there is no single best set of tires for any one motorcycle, only the best riding tires for YOUR motorcycle and how YOU use it. Have a sportbike that you use more for sport touring rather than the track? You’re going to want to look into the top-rated dual compound tires for the longest lasting reliability and best cornering performance. Ride a cruiser you use for commuting AND for long trips? You’ll need an all weather tire that performs in any conditions, and touts high mileage durability for consistent handling, mile after mile.
