Different Types Of Bike Tyre Grips And Where They Can Be Used

If you are a first-time motorcycle shopper, you might be unaware that bike tyre comes with different grips. Additionally, manufacturers differentiate bike tyre types based on the grip. You might be wondering about the need to have different grips for bike tyres.

The bike tyre grips are essential as they offer traction to the vehicle. The truth is that each type of bike tyre grip serves a different purpose. These grips enhance your driving and riding experience in several circumstances. Read ahead to explore and learn the purpose of different bike tyre grips/tread designs!

Dual Sport/All-Terrain Tyres

All-Terrain tyres are among the most commonly used tyres due to various features. Dual-sport adventure bikes like Honda Africa Twin, KTM 1290 Super Adventure, and many other bikes come with this tyre. These tyres fall in 30% on-road and 70% off-road categories. They have a distinct knobbed tread with deep grooves and more giant blocks on the tread. They are intended for highway use. 

Touring/Cruiser Tyres

As the name suggests, these tyres are better fitted for cruisers and heavy motorcycles. These tyres offer ample traction for wet road conditions and have better mileage. They feature a stiff sidewall to tackle heavy loads. Their sturdy construction and deeper tread depths contribute to minor wear.

Performance/Hyper-Sport Tyres

These tyres are produced for high-performance street bikes. Typically, Hyper-Sport tyres are lightweight and offer immense handling. You will notice a firm grip from edge to edge in hyper-sport bike tyres. These tyres have a pronounced centre for smoother deep cornering and easy transitions.

Sport-Touring Tyres

Sport-touring tyres are a combination of touring tyres and performance tyres. They have a design that delivers maximum mileage and traction. Sports bikes and naked bikes like Yamaha FZ and BMW 1200RT feature this tyre grip. They use hard compounds for construction for a stable ride. Also, the rubber on the sides offers a better grip while cornering.

Off-Road Tyres

Trust none other than off-road tyres when it comes to unpaved terrains such as gravel, sand, dirt, or mud. They are designed with deeper treads to offer enhanced traction. Their deep and thick tread patterns allow maximum grip on loose surfaces. The reinforced sidewalls minimize the chances of punctures significantly.

Competition/Racing Tyres

Racing tyres are meant for the tracks and not the regular city streets. These tyres are designed to endure high temperatures due to the heat and friction caused by high speed racing. The tread design on these tyres has a slick shape to maintain maximum surface contact. Owing to the softness of the rubber used, these grips wear out pretty quickly.

We hope this article helps you in understanding the purposes of different bike tyre grips and choosing the right one for you!