The Tire: Just as Important as the Brakes

The debate that isn’t really a debate: what matters more when braking, a good tire or a good braking system? The answer is simple: they are complementary. Having both your tires and brakes in good condition guarantees an extra level of safety, both while riding and when you need to stop the motorcycle.

That is why investing in tires is just as important as investing in the braking system. Sometimes we don’t pay enough attention to these details when choosing a bike, but they should be a key factor— especially the combination of disc, caliper, and brake pads.

In this article, we’ll focus on the tire itself and explain the essential information provided by the manufacturer, which is engraved on the sidewall. These markings give extremely valuable data when making the right choice.

Let’s look at a typical example: 180/55 17 M/C 73W.

180: tire width in millimeters.

55: tire profile percentage relative to its width and height.

17: rim diameter in inches.

M/C: tire designed exclusively for motorcycles.

73: load index.

W: speed rating — in this case, up to 270 km/h.

The letters that indicate maximum speed correspond to the following:

• T: up to 190 km/h
• H: up to 210 km/h
• V: up to 240 km/h
• W: up to 270 km/h
• Y: up to 300 km/h
• ZR: over 240 km/h

Another important detail is the manufacturing date. For example: DOT 3219.

DOT (Department of Transport): indicates the tire is approved for use in the USA and Canada.

3219: manufactured in week 32 of the year 2019 (August 2019).

You will also find an engraved arrow indicating the correct direction of rotation. This ensures the tire is mounted properly according to its tread pattern.

Other markings may include information about the internal construction layers, whether the tire is for the front (front) or rear (rear), and additional technical details of lesser relevance.

Some tires also feature special codes, such as NHS, which identifies a tire intended exclusively for competition use.

Finally, one essential element to check regularly is the tread wear indicator . These are the small raised tabs within the grooves, usually set at 1.6 millimeters, the minimum legal tread depth before the tire must be replaced.