Motorcycle Tyres

TYRES

A typical motorcycle tyre label reads something like this '120/60 ZR17'. The first number, '120' in this label, is the section width of the tyre in millimeters. Narrower tyres have lower numbers. The numbers immediately following the slash indicate the tyre's aspect ratio, which is translated as the section height as percentage of the section width. In lay's terms, this tyre's height is 60 percent of its width. Performance tyres would have a lower number in this space. The next two letters stand for the tyre's type. In this case, 'Z' means the tyre has a speed rating of 149mph+ and the 'R' denotes the tyres Radial construction. The speed rating represents the traveling speed that the tyre is capable of sustaining safely under optimal driving conditions. The speed ratings are S for up to 112 mph, H for up to 130 mph, V for up to 150 mph, Z for 150 mph+. At high speeds, the tyre can get very hot and the tread can separate from the belts. The speed ratings tell you how fast you can go and still be safe. The 17 immediately following is the wheel rim diameter in inches. Following the size label is an additional marking defining the load rating for the tire. When selecting tyres for your motorcycle you should pay close attention to the manufacturer's recommended size and type of tyre for your model - refer to your owners manual.