HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYRE FOR YOUR MOTORCYCLE

When it comes to motorcycles, the choice of tyres is a crucial decision that demands careful consideration. Manufacturers invest significant resources to ensure that each motorcycle leaves the factory equipped with suitable tyres. However, riders' specific needs and riding conditions can sometimes deviate from the factory defaults, leading to the need for tyre replacements that better match individual requirements. Before making such a choice, it's essential to have a comprehensive understanding of tyres and their various aspects. Let's delve into this topic.

LIBLIK Motorcycle Tyres: A Prominent Choice

LIBLIK has emerged as a notable brand in the motorcycle tyre market, known for its quality and performance. Their tyres are engineered to meet the diverse needs of riders, whether for daily commutes or intense off-road adventures.

When to change the tyres

Tyres are a vital component of any motorcycle. They are the sole point of contact with the road during rides. Just like shoes that wear out over time, so do tyres. Even if you have no intention of changing the brand or model, here are some compelling reasons to consider replacing your motorcycle tyres.

● Tread depth reduction: Regular usage causes the tread depth to diminish. Different tyre types have varying thresholds for tread wear before replacement is necessary. Some tyres even have indicators to signal when it's time for a change.

● Bulges formation: A tyre might develop bulges due to factors such as high temperatures, incorrect tyre pressure, poor road conditions, or subpar tyre quality. Even if the tread appears fine, any sign of bulges demands immediate replacement to prevent potential cracks or blowouts that could lead to serious accidents.

● Cracks appearance: If your motorcycle remains idle for extended periods in extreme weather, cracks might form. These cracks pose a risk of tyre failure and require a replacement to ensure safety.

● Damaged sidewalls: Sidewall damage, especially on tubeless tyres, is often irreparable. Even the slightest cut on the sidewall makes tyre replacement the safer option.

Now that you're aware of when to replace your motorcycle tyres, let's explore the types of tyres available for your ride. To simplify matters, let's first understand the fundamental structure of a tyre.

Basic Tyre Construction

Tyres consist of more than just rubber. Beneath the visible rubber layer, several components work together to provide stability and performance. While the construction and materials may vary slightly among different tyre types, the basic structure remains relatively consistent.

Tread: The various patterns and shapes you notice on the tyre surface are the tread. These are not merely for aesthetic purposes but are designed to enhance grip and control in diverse riding conditions. Each tyre model features a distinct tread pattern and a recommended minimum tread depth. The tread depth of a used tyre serves as an initial indicator of its condition and suitability for the road.

LIBLIK tyres, for instance, offer a range of tread patterns optimized for different terrains and riding styles. Their tread designs are crafted to provide excellent grip and durability.

Carcass: Don't be alarmed; it's not a hidden entity within the tyre. Rather, think of it as the framework of the tyre. Similar to how the human skeleton provides structure to the body, the carcass gives shape and strength to the tyre. It is typically composed of materials like steel, nylon fibre, polyester, fibreglass, and more. The composition and pattern of the carcass vary depending on the tyre type.

Bead: The bead is the part of the tyre that fits snugly beneath the rim of the wheel. It is constructed with steel wire for added strength. The bead ensures a tight fit within the rim, preventing air leakage, especially in tubeless tyres, and keeping the tyre securely in place during motion.

Sidewall: As the name suggests, the sidewall is the lateral portion of the tyre, located between the tread and the bead. Sidewalls can vary in width depending on the tyre's intended purpose. The sidewall contributes to the tyre's handling capabilities and influences the ride quality based on its stiffness.

Reading the tyre markings

Every tyre is marked with alphanumeric characters that convey a wealth of information in a concise format. Understanding how to interpret these markings is beneficial. Let's consider an example of a tyre with markings such as 180 / 60 R16.

Tyre width: The initial two or three digits represent the section width in millimetres, measured from the widest points of the sidewalls when the tyre is inflated to the correct specifications. In our example, 180 indicates a tyre width of 180 mm. This is followed by a forward slash "/ " to separate the next value.

Aspect ratio or profile: The subsequent number indicates the aspect ratio, which represents the height of the sidewall or the tyre profile. Typically expressed as a percentage of the section width, in our case, 60 means the sidewall height is 60% of the tyre's nominal width.

Tyre construction: Sometimes (but not always), the aspect ratio is followed by a letter indicating the tyre's construction type. Here's what the letters signify:

B: Bias belt or bias ply construction

LIBLIK specializes in manufacturing top-quality bias tyres and does not produce radial tyres.

Diameter: The number following the tyre construction letter represents the diameter of the wheel. In this instance, 16 indicates that the tyre is designed for 16-inch wheels.

Now that you know the components of tyres and how to interpret their markings, it's time to learn how to select the right tyre for your motorcycle.

Replacing stock with stock

If you prefer a straightforward approach and don't want to delve into the tyre selection process, simply replacing the old tyres with new ones of the exact same type is an option. In many cases, the stock tyres are well-suited to meet the typical requirements of the intended customers. For a seamless replacement, visit a dealership of the tyre brand and request the identical model. It doesn't get any simpler than this.

Adhering to recommended specs

If you're dissatisfied with the tyres your motorcycle came with, you have the option to choose a different set. The market offers more expensive tyres with enhanced grip or other features that better align with your specific needs. However, a crucial guideline to remember is to replace the tyres with those adhering to the OEM's recommended specifications. The manufacturer is well-aware of the tyre size that optimally suits the motorcycle. Purchasing tyres that fall outside the specified size range, either larger or smaller, is generally not advisable.

LIBLIK offers a variety of bias tyre models that comply with OEM specifications, ensuring a seamless fit and optimal performance.

Tubeless vs tube tyres

If your motorcycle has spoked wheels, tube tyres are the preferred choice as spoked wheels compatible with tubeless tyres are rare and costly. Spoked wheels lack the ability to be airtight, preventing the switch from tube to tubeless tyres. If your motorcycle features alloy wheels, tubeless tyres are a viable option. Tubeless tyres are typically better constructed, offer superior traction, are easier to repair in case of punctures, and are generally preferred over tube tyres.

Bias Tyres

LIBLIK's bias tyres are engineered to provide excellent performance and durability in various riding conditions.

Tread

For off-road adventures, tyres with a block pattern or knobby tread, featuring strong and large tread blocks, are necessary to ensure grip in loose gravel or mud. On the road, a moderate tread suffices. For track use in dry weather, tyres with minimal tread but an extremely soft and sticky rubber compound are required for maximum grip. For snowy and wet conditions, there are specialised tyres with unique tread patterns that facilitate maximum grip and efficient water dispersion.

LIBLIK's tread options in their bias tyres are tailored to various riding conditions, providing reliable traction and handling.

Sidewall

For aggressive riding and precise cornering, a set of tyres with stiff sidewalls and a round contact patch is preferred, as it enhances grip during leans. For a more comfortable and laid-back ride, softer sidewalls and a relatively flatter contact patch can be chosen. Again, it's advisable to follow the OEM's recommendation.

Size

When selecting tyres, it's essential to match the rim diameter precisely. While the aspect ratio or sidewall height in relation to the width can be varied within a limited range, it's important to note that tyres act as the primary suspension for the vehicle. A smaller aspect ratio or shorter sidewall can negatively impact ride quality, although it may offer improved handling and control.

Ultimately, a good tyre should enable you to enjoy your motorcycle rides with comfort and confidence. As mentioned at the outset, adhering to the manufacturer's recommended specs is typically the best course of action. However, if you must choose a tyre other than the recommended one, we hope this detailed guide has assisted you in making a more informed decision.