PCL Takes an Inside Look
Motorcycle Tires
Tire inflation is our passion, so it’s necessary for us to stop and take a look at the different types of tires our products service. Today we wanted to take a look at motorcycle tires and their many different types. While all motorcycle tires look somewhat similar, including having a more rounded profile, they are entirely different!
Cruiser/Touring Tires
Meant for heavier motorcycles, these tires have stiffer sidewalls, intended to allow them to bear more weight, such as from two riders or packed saddlebags. They also usually have more tread depth and are made of harder materials so that they last longer for more miles. These tires do well on wet road conditions.
Sport/Performance Tires
These tires are meant for lightweight sport bikes and high performance street bikes. Designed to give excellent grip on every edge, these tires tend to have fewer tread lines for a bigger contact area with the ground. They are meant for riders to be able to bank into corners without the bike falling or sliding away. They’re usually made with a stiff carcass and multi compounds to help with the lifetime of the tire, but they rarely last as long as cruisers. Their optimal usage arena would be on the track – and in dry weather conditions.
Sport-Touring
A mixture of the two above, these are meant to last longer and offer better traction. These tires are usually found on the bikes of long-distance drivers who want the occasional extra tread for corners, or for daily-drivers who want to get the most out of their tires. These tires take elements from both the Touring and Sport, with softer rubber for grip and a hard center patch for longevity. They tend to perform well in wet weather conditions.
Dual Sport/ADV
Last, but certainly not least, we have the dual sport/ADV. These are street-legal off-road tires. They vary a lot in their builds, with more aggressive treads for off-road, and lighter treads for more street driving. These tires are typically rated by the percentage of off-road/on-road driving they are meant for: a higher off-road percentage means bigger knobs on the tread, while a higher on-road percentage means smaller knobs. The use and optimal conditions for the tires depend on which percentage you choose.
As you can see, there are many different options for motorcycle tires. There are also many options for caring for your tire, but there is only one company you should trust with your tires – and that’s PCL. Why? Because we have the heritage, we have the accuracy, and we have the build.
ICYMI: Why Tire Pressure is Important in Your Motorcycle
We love the MK4 for our motorcycle riders. It is lightweight, so easy to pack on, and durable (we ran over it with a car once and it works perfectly!). To all the riders out there, we look forward to being a part of your journey! Send us your pics and stories on Instagram @pcltireinflation and use the hashtag #PCLlove! Questions? Need your own PCL gear? Email us at sales@pcltireinflationusa.com.
