During the COVID pandemic, motorcycle riding exploded in the United States and around the globe. It offered a recreational outlet as well as a safe alternative to public transportation or being in a vehicle with someone else.
For this reason, a new generation of motorcycle enthusiasts has emerged. They are all interested in doing things to make the most out of their riding experience. This includes purchasing the best tires to optimize grip and safety while riding.
The information below explains the benefits of using high-performance motorcycle tires to optimize traction (without going overboard). It explains why this contributes directly to your ride experience.
This article also lays out the top five tires you might consider for ultimate road grip. Keep reading to find out more.
Why Road Grip Is Important
Traction is the amount of friction between your motorcycle tires and the road. Many factors determine how much traction you experience from your tires. These include your tires' makeup, surface conditions, and the amount of pressure exerted on the tires (also called "load").
Road grip is important for increasing performance. It relates to cornering stability and, more specifically, how much confidence you have in your bike in these situations.
Beyond performance, traction has everything to do with safety. Road grip is important to staying upright on the bike.
At the same time, too much grip (or friction) can hamper speed. In short, the less friction you experience, the faster you can go with the same amount of power. Finding the right balance can be vital to getting the best performance while ensuring safety.
How to Optimize Road Grip
This starts by considering all the factors that contribute to or detract from friction. While you cannot control road surfaces or conditions (including those related to weather), you can learn to identify ones that provide good grip and those that do not.
For instance, smooth, glossy, slick surfaces reflect light distinctly from textured ones that have more grip. You can also learn to quickly identify the presence of liquids, sand, gravel, or debris on roads. Another helpful quality is to recognize situations where these conditions are likely to exist, such as in construction areas or on roads that have not been kept up.
One area where you have complete control over traction is the tires that are on your bike. Several tire qualities impact their ability of them to grip surfaces.
This starts with tire size and tread design. For instance, some tires come with patterns that optimize traction during wet conditions. Others will outperform everything else during pristine track conditions (though not elsewhere).
The composition of a tire has much to do with its ability to grip. High-performance motorcycle tires, in general, are made of quality composites.
This helps them more quickly get up to temperature. It means that they function as intended within only a short period of driving.
Quality tires also are meant to endure hundreds of heat cycles. You can expect them to hold up (and perform better) longer than standard motorcycle tires.
Top Five High-Performance Motorcycle Tires
There are many different types of performance tires available today. Here are five that stand out above the rest.
1. Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra
Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra tires top our list for their ability to increase performance even in harsh conditions. They also offer outstanding stability at both high and lower speeds.
They are made with a silica compound that produces a chemical grip. The innovative tread pattern design also increases water drainage. This gives you increased traction in wet conditions that other tires lack.
ME 888s are made of quality polymers that offer abrasion resistance and hold up well against routine wear and tear. The groove walls also have a distinct slope to create better wear uniformity across the tire. You can expect them to last for thousands of heat cycles and perform like they did when you first got them for years.
2. Shinko ZR17 F003 Ultra-Soft
The Shinko ZR17 F003 is a great racing and sporting tire. It provides a superior grip on both wet and dry surfaces.
The tires have a dimpled slick design, which produces a race-slick performance in a street tire. It is aramid belted and has an ultra-soft compound. This helps balance lightness and performance with durability.
3. Dunlop K330
Dunlop has been making tires for 150 years. They are still one of the most notable names in motorcycle performance tires on the planet.
The Dunlop K330 has bias-ply construction and is S-rated for speeds up to 112 MPH (180 KPH), but that's on a fully loaded motorcycle with a passenger as well as luggage, and for an indefinite period of time. For motorcycle drag racing applications, its DOT rating is approved for all classes, but has found it's main home in the Pro Street and Grudge classes where 6-second elapsed times and speeds approaching 240 MPH (386 KPH) are the norm.
4. Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SP V2
Pirelli is renowned for producing quality racing tires. The Diablo Super Corsa SP V2 is designed for superior traction, for riders that want to corner fast and hard.
It has a minimal tread pattern, which means more of the tire's surface is in contact with the road. The tire also is constructed with a high-modulus fiber carcass and a compound designed to increase grip and stability.
This contributes to better grip but also greater durability. You can expect this tire to perform well and last for a long time without losing its traction ability.
One downside to this tire is that it is on the higher end of performance tire prices. It is the most expensive on this list, although it may be argued that it makes up for this difference in performance and overall quality.
5. Bridgestone RS11
The Bridgestone RS11 is a successor to the manufacturer's R10 race tire. It uses "ultimate eye" technology which was originally developed for Formula 1 racing for ultimate tire shape and design.
This tire combines rigidity and stability when cornering or otherwise under strenuous use. This is accomplished by placing the belts closer together in the center and farther apart on the sides of the tire.
Note that the "S" in the R11 is the "street" version of the race tire. The only difference between this and the regular R11 is the compound makeup means it is more suitable for street––rather than track––usage.
Find Performance Tires Near You
Now that you have some options for high-performance motorcycle tires, you can determine which ones are best for you. The right set of tires can make all the difference in performance, safety, and comfort.
At Brock's Performance, we carry a wide selection of motorcycle parts, including a variety of performance motorcycle tires. Take a look at our extensive online inventory. You can also visit one of our many authorized dealers or contact us directly for assistance.