The influence of tires on the performance of a motorcycle. Choosing motorcycle tires

The best motorcycle tires for a sports motorcycle

Michelin Pilot Power 3

The leader of the sports series was produced by the inimitable Michelin company. I really want to find fault with them, but there seem to be no shortcomings. Stunning grip properties on both types of trails - brilliant handling on wet and dry roads. The motorcycle seems to merge with the highway and shows everything it is capable of. Braking is its special advantage: fast and precise, does not cause any complaints even among the review authors. In terms of comfort and wear resistance, the model is all at the highest level. This wonderful tire from French craftsmen deservedly becomes the leader in the section of motorcycle tires for sport bikes.

Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE

For a sports bike, tires from the manufacturer Metzeler are perfect. The model perfectly reflects the title “sports”, as it clings to the asphalt track beyond all praise - very subtle and confident handling, effective braking. On wet and dry roads the tires show very stable behavior. The motorcycle feels very light and maneuverable, the biker can easily control every movement under him.

Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP

In third place were the tires of the famous Italians Pirelli. These tires are simply created for a dry track - the control is intuitive, the braking is fast, and the motorcycle does not lose grip even on sharp turns. With excellent feedback, these tires provide convenience and comfort throughout the entire journey - and this is their main advantage. The downside may be rather mediocre properties on wet roads and problems with wear resistance.

Summary

As you can see, tires are all different and there are many of them. In this article, we did not present almost identical interchangeable tires from different manufacturers, but rather presented tires with different hardness and pattern, which you can independently select for your purposes. It would, of course, be unnecessary to recommend Shorty for easy AM skiing somewhere in Alushta. The personal choice of the author of this article is Maxxis Shorty for the front wheel and Maxxis High Roller 2 for the rear.

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The best enduro tires

Continental ContiRoad Attack 2

The German manufacturer of motor tires Continental, as usual, pleases those who like to drive with the breeze with wonderful models. This time it featured enduro tires with outstanding grip and resistance to long-distance roads, where durability and wear resistance are especially important. The name itself speaks for itself - these tires are not used to losing: the tires handle sharp turns with a strong slope, perform well in wet road conditions, and are capable of accelerating to 240 or even 270 km/h (depending on the speed index) without losing their useful properties.

Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme

In second place was the Metzeler company with a model of a sports off-road design for passing particularly difficult sections of the route in off-road conditions. The main advantage of tires is the balance of characteristics, allowing the motorcyclist to always remain prepared for any troubles on the road. The tires provide precise handling and fast braking, impressive grip properties and are very reliable under heavy loads.

Mitas Terra Force-R

The Mitas company has released an excellent sports radial tire that can withstand heavy weights and cope with driving under extreme loads. In terms of grip, the tires are quite good on wet roads; the dry road under them is less controlled, but only compared to the brilliant competitors in the first and second positions. Apart from them, the performance of the tread on dry surfaces can be considered an advantage. The model can withstand a lot, and wear resistance is one of its best features. It can also be praised for its smooth ride.

Maxxis Ardent

This is the most rolling and, accordingly, the least evil tire in this selection. Its application ranges from challenging cross-country to technical singletrack to trail riding and light enduro racing. The spikes on it are quite small and frequent, which gives a good roll-up, and the side hooks are quite powerful. A good option for skiing in which there is not a lot of tin but a lot of stretches. Especially for the rear wheel.

The best motorcycle tires for a motocross motorcycle

Michelin Tracker

Michelin presented excellent tires for dealing with the most unpredictable mud tracks. According to its traction and grip characteristics, the model is designed specifically for dirt and sandy tracks. The most important advantages of tires include fast acceleration, effective braking, precise handling and course stability at high speeds. The motorcycle, even in motocross conditions, will become a faithful comrade for the rider, who will tell the biker how to act in a given situation.

Metzeler MC 360 Mid Soft

Sports tires for real motocross, unforgiving to beginners. The aggressively designed Metzeler tread provides reliable traction on dirt, sand and muddy off-road conditions. The rubber compound helps the tire “take a hit”, i.e. absorb the consequences of jumps, particularly sharp turns and driving over rough terrain. The model also has excellent resistance to abrasive wear and can withstand trips even with low pressure.

Pirelli Scorpion MX Extra X

These tires from Pirelli are ideal for non-professional motocross, as their characteristics are maximally balanced for beginners who are not yet ready to face “adult” roads. The model shows many advantages, including excellent grip and load resistance. The motorcycle handles well on muddy roads, brakes well and picks up speed even on the most neglected roads.

Road racing tires

The classification of motorcycles for road racing is practically no different from the classification of motorcycles for cross-country and multi-day competitions: classes up to 50 cm3, up to 125 cm3, up to 175 cm3, up to 250 cm3, up to 350 cm3, up to 500 cm5, up to 650 cm3.

The engines of racing motorcycles have higher power than the engines of motocross motorcycles (in the same classes), and the nature of the track allows racing motorcycles to reach very high speeds.

In turn, the maximum speed of a motorcycle and its ability to accelerate quickly depend largely on the size of the tires used.

Considering that the motorcycle moves due to the traction force Рт, which arises under the influence of the torque Мкр supplied to the drive wheel and depends on the rolling radius Rк (hence, on the tire size), we will consider the traction balance of the motorcycle.

When moving in a straight line with some acceleration, the total resistance to movement of the motorcycle will be equal to the sum of the resistances:

Rtotal = Rd + Rv + Rr where Rd is the road resistance; Рв — air resistance; Рр - acceleration resistance.

Since all resistance to the movement of the motorcycle is overcome by the traction force on the drive wheel, the traction balance equation will look like:

RT = Rtotal = Rd + Rv + Rr

In the case of steady motion (motion without acceleration), we obtain:

Рт = Рд + Рв, Рд = Рт - Рв (excess traction force).

The figure shows a graph of excess traction force in P-V coordinates. It is clear from the graph that the maximum value of movement resistance corresponds to the greatest value of excess traction force (point a of tangency of the straight line Pd and the curve Pt-Pb. The coordinates of point a give the maximum values ​​of the speed of movement and the value of the excess traction force.

Rice. The nature of the excess traction force graph

Obviously, the amount of excess traction force will have a maximum value (under constant driving conditions - streamlining of the motorcycle, wind force, etc.) at the highest value of traction force on the drive wheel.

Previously shown:

Рт = Мкр / Rк where Мкр is the torque on the wheel; Rк — tire rolling radius;

Mkr = Mdv*-ic*ir*nk where Mdv is the torque on the engine crankshaft; ik — gear ratio of the gearbox; ir is the gear ratio of the main gear; t - efficiency power transmission.

Then

Pt = Mdv*iк*ir*n / Rк

Considering that Mdv = 716.2 * Ndv/ndv, we get:

Рт = 716.2*Ndv*iк*ir*n / Rк*ndv

where ndv is the number of revolutions of the engine crankshaft.

Let us assume that a motorcycle has engine power Ndv, develops a maximum speed Vmax at engine speed pd, and in this case the traction force on the drive wheel is RT.

When installing a larger tire (in diameter) on the rear (drive) wheel of the same motorcycle, the rolling radius Rк will increase. Torque Mkr in this case will be able to develop traction force Pm < Pt and, consequently, the maximum speed will decrease.

Installing a smaller tire results in a reserve of excess traction force, so maximum speed can be achieved, but by increasing the engine speed. However, in this case, the engine speed may exceed its maximum permissible value, which will cause its destruction. In addition, a large supply of excess traction force leads to increased slippage in the contact area of ​​the tire with the road, and, consequently, to a deterioration in the stability of the motorcycle.

If, when installing a smaller tire, the optimal dynamic parameters of the motorcycle can be restored by changing (decreasing) the gear ratios of the gearbox (Gearbox) - iк and the final drive - it, then when installing a larger tire, by changing the gear ratio, only the maximum speed can be restored.

The weight of the tire has a great influence on the dynamic qualities of the motorcycle, especially its throttle response.

When accelerating a motorcycle, the total force of resistance to acceleration is equal to the sum of the forces:

P = Pj + Pjм + Pjк

where Pj is the inertia force of the motorcycle; Pjм is the force expended to accelerate the flywheel and rotating clutch parts; Pjк is the force expended to accelerate the rotation of the wheels.

From the formula it is clear that the mass of the tire significantly affects the magnitude of the force that determines the acceleration of wheel rotation. The smaller the mass of the tire, the less force Pjк will be required and, therefore, the less will be the overall acceleration resistance.

Thus, from the above it is clear that the dimensions and weight of tires have a significant impact on the dynamic qualities of a motorcycle. This is especially important for racing motorcycles.

The best motorcycle tires for sports tourists

Bridgestone Battlax Bt-023

The leading tires from Bridgestone have an excellent balance between dry and wet roads, proving to be the leader in comfort and reliability of movement on summer surfaces at high speeds. Wear resistance and strength are indicative of sport-tourist motorcycles, for which the endurance of rubber during long trips is especially valued. Maneuverability, precise and fast braking, comfort and smooth ride, responsiveness and clear feedback - all this characterizes the model of the Japanese tire makers as the best for touring trips.

Michelin Pilot Road 4

French tires from Michelin have remarkable qualities of “grabbing” dry and wet roads. Therefore, the motorcycle stays on the track like a glove, even during the tightest turns with a deep lean. As speed increases, the movement remains stable, the ride quality is high, and the steering and brake responses leave a very pleasant impression. An excellent choice of tires for all long-distance travel enthusiasts.

Dunlop D214

The Dunlop company has created a touring tire with average characteristics for comfortable travel on long journeys, on wet and dry asphalt and light off-road. The rubber is not afraid of hydroplaning and feels very confident at high speed. No significant drops were noticed when braking and accelerating on a dry road. Good wear resistance and a smooth ride complete the picture of well-made motorcycle tires for those who can't sit still.

The best motorcycle tires for chopper/cruiser

Metzeler Cruisetec

The best motorcycle tire for real road warriors turned out to be a model from the Metzeler company. The rubber has outstanding qualities of working with asphalt pavement: handling, braking, acceleration and wear resistance - for all this you can give a solid five. Resistance to aquaplaning also allows us to speak only good words about these tires. They have a huge resource of stamina, which allows them to work throughout the entire journey, no matter how long it may be.

Dunlop D423

The Dunlop premium tire demonstrates excellent road control and course stabilization with increasing speed. Handling on wet roads is characterized by precise reactions; the tread reliably holds the motorcycle on the track and prevents it from skidding during sharp turns. The tires are reliable enough to withstand overheating, minimize abrasive wear and provide the motorcyclist with a stable, smooth ride, kilometer after kilometer.