Choosing The Best Motorcycle Tires For You

Whether you just purchased your first Harley, or you’ve been cruising around town on a Yamaha bike for years, choosing motorcycle tires for your ride can be a struggle. With the large selection of motorcycle tires available to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes time to make a purchasing decision. At RC Components, we understand that buying motorcycle tires online can be a challenge, which is why we offer a convenient wheel selector tool on our website so you can start shopping for the perfect new bike tires with the click of a button. Before you purchase the first set of motorcycle tires you see, consider the motorcycle tire buying tips below.

Common Types of Motorcycles

There once was a time when motorcycle owners were stereotyped as outlaws, however bike enthusiasts all over the world have made motorcycles a popular transportation option in today’s society. Aside from their exceptional fuel economy and their relatively low cost of maintenance, most two-wheelers have become popular because of the freedom they provide their owners. While there are various types of motorcycle models available, below are some of the most common.

• Cruisers are very popular among older folks because they are easy to ride and operate. They typically drive at lower speeds and are great for short rides.
• Touring or Sport Touring bikes offer unmatched comfort for longer road trips. While they boast larger gas tanks, they also provide ample storage for your belongings.
• Sports bikes are typically lightweight and offer optimal speed, performance and handling. While these motorcycles aren’t as comfortable as others, their amazing performance capabilities are second-to-none.

Your Motorcycle Wheel Budget

One of the first things to consider when choosing custom motorcycle wheels is the amount of money you are willing to spend on a new set of tires. Knowing how much money you are willing to spend right off the bat will keep you from wasting time looking at things that you simply can’t afford.

Choosing The Correct Tire Size

In order to choose the correct tire size for your motorcycle, it’s important that you understand what the code designators printed on the side of your tires means. There are three common methods that motorcycle manufacturers use to designate tire information, including alphanumeric, standard inch and metric. While it may be beneficial to some bikers to learn about the alphanumeric and standard inch system, the vast majority of motorcycle manufacturers use the metric system which has five main components.

• Section Width: The section width is almost always a three-digit number. This is the measurement of the width of the tread, in a straight line, from one side of the tire to the other.
• Aspect Ratio: The ratio of a tire's width as a percentage of its height. Usually a two-digit number, the higher the number, the taller the tire.
• Rim Diameter: The rim diameter is the measurement of the rim from one lip to the other, measured in inches. Load
• Rating: This is a specific code designated to tell the weight that a tire is designed to bare. This number can range from the low 20s to the high 80s.
• Speed Rating: An alphabetical code that tells you the speed at which the tire is designed to run safely, from J to Z.

At RC Components, we take the guesswork out of buying motorcycle wheels. Browse our large selection of motorcycle wheels and tires online or shop by product today!

Finding The Best Performance Motorcycle Wheels

When you upgrade your motorcycle wheels, there are a variety of physical characteristics you should keep in mind. While you may want lightweight wheels to improve speed, these types of wheels won’t be great for commuting long distances. If you’re looking for heavy motorcycle tires that will last on long-distance road trips, this kind of tire won’t be great for achieving high speeds on the race track or freeway. To help you better understand the differences in wheel characteristics, we’ve broken them down below.

Lighter Motorcycle Wheels

This kind of motorcycle wheel is an excellent choice for people who enjoy riding along scenic and curvy roads. Light motorcycle wheels can lower your overall bike weight, meaning you expend far less energy to move.

Strong Motorcycle Wheels

For certain types of motorcycle riding, strong wheels can trump lower weight. If you plan on taking week-long road trips on your bike, strong and thick wheels may be the best option for you. Great for handling heavy loads and high mileage, strong wheels will give you the long tire life-span you’re looking for.

Aerodynamic Motorcycle Wheels

If you’re a fan of drag racing, minimizing the wind resistance of your wheels can pay off in the long run for improved speed and handling. The good news is you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a full set of aerodynamic wheels if you don’t want to. There are more subtle wheel features that can help to improve the aerodynamics of your wheels including a deeper rim profile.

At RC Components, we offer a large selection of one piece drag race wheels to improve the strength and speed of your motorcycle. Available in your choice of raw aluminum or a gloss black finish, these extremely lightweight wheels are a great addition to any motorcycle!

When To Replace Your Motorcycle Wheels

After you’ve ridden your motorcycle long enough, there comes a point where your wheels will need to be replaced. Whether you need to upgrade your wheels due to timely wear and tear, or you recently got a flat tire from a pothole, it’s important to make sure your new wheels are compatible with your current bike setup. While wheel replacement recommendations may vary from bike model to bike model, there are a variety of things that can affect the speed of your wheel’s deterioration, including:

Road and trail conditions of your rides How much weight your bike carries How aggressively you ride How much braking you do

Motorcycle rims and spokes are subject to metal fatigue, so it’s important to consider replacing those down the line as well. If you need to upgrade your current motorcycle wheels for a performance boost, browse RC Components large selection of high quality wheels and tires online today!

Tips For New Motorcycle 

Tires If you just invested in a new set of wheels for your motorcycle, there are certain things you can do to improve the lifespan and longevity of your tires.

Inflation Is Key - Maintaining proper tire pressure is a must, especially for new motorcycle tires. Even just slightly over- or under-inflating your bike tires can have a negative impact on load, handling and tire wear.

Keep Weight Off Your Bike - If you don’t ride your motorcycle daily, it’s always a good idea to keep your ride on stands. This takes unnecessary weight off of your tires which can prevent flat-spotting. If your motorcycle doesn’t have a stand, consider rolling it forward and backward a few inches every now and then.

Break Your Motorcycle Tires In - Did you know that you can break in your new motorcycle tires by riding at an easy pace for 100 dry miles? Take a few leisurely strolls with curves to break in the sides of your tires!

Raise Tire Pressure With A Passenger - If you enjoy taking rides with a passenger on the back of your motorcycle, make sure to increase the air pressure in your tires before you hit the road. Many motorcycle experts recommend increasing the front wheel by 1 to 2 PSI and the rear wheel by 2 to 3 PSI for adequate balance and support.

RC Components is a recognized leader in the premier manufacturing of motorcycle wheels for both aftermarket and custom bike parts. Our passion for innovative wheel designs and quality customer service is what sets us apart from the rest. Browse our catalog online today!