Motorcycle Tire Construction: Know How Your Rubbers are Made

Whether you like off-road riding, cruising the Pacific Coast Hwy on a slammed bagger, or racing on road tracks, you need tires. But not all tires are made equal for all types of riding.

Picking the correct tire requires you to answer many questions before you pull the trigger. Where and how do you ride? How far will you need them to go? How much does your motorcycle weigh? 

One important subject, however, that may get lost in all this sauce is tire construction. Here’s my laydown of what makes motorcycle tires roll.

Tire Anatomy 101

You have a huge number of choices when it comes to tire brand, purpose, size, and specification. Thankfully, breaking down the construction of motorcycle tires is a little simpler—but they’re still more than just fancy rubber bands around your wheels.