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Motorcycle Tire Size Explained
Published
30 April 2022
Published
30 April 2022
A Closer Look at the tire sidewall numbers
Although there are three common size formats for motorcycle tires namely Metric Sizing(180/70 R-16) , Alpha Numeric (MU85B16) and Inch Sizing (5.00-16), the most common motorcycle tire format is the Metric Sizing.
For 110/70-ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL, for example, this is what the characters mean:
110 the width of the tire in millimeters(mm), taken from the widest point of the tire
70 - the aspect ratio or height of the tire sidewall which is represented as a percentage of the width of the tire. The height is 70% of 110 which equates to 77mm.
Z - This is the first of two speed ratings found in the code. It indicates what speed the tire is capable of being taken over. In this example ‘Z’ means that the tire is suitable for speeds over 149mph. However it doesn’t tell us the maximum tolerable speed for the tire; that comes later in the code in brackets.
R - The letter, either R or B, will tell you the construction type of the tire. R Here’s a brief explanation of radial tyres and the other most common construction type:
Radial (R) – A tire that has its cord plies arranged perpendicular (at a 90 degree angle) to the direction of travel. Eurogrip's Protorq Extreme has the most advanced radial tire with zero degree steel belt for higher precision and high performance riding - makes it highly rigid, thus ensuring superior handling at high speeds as well as puncture resistance.
W - The last code of the characters in brackets, either an alphabet or a combination of a letter and a digit, stands for the speed rating of the tire which is the fastest speed a tire can run safely. Ranges from 5 km/h and up to over 300 km/h. W rating means the tire can run safely up to 168 mph. Below is the list of speed rating codes and their respective speeds:
J 62mph
K 69mph
L 75mph
M 81mph
P 95mph
Q 100mph
R 105mph
S 113mph
T 118mph
U 125mph
H 130mph
V 149mph
W 168mph
Z Over 150mph
The ‘W’ is grouped with the load index (73) because this is the maximum tolerable speed of the tire when it is at the maximum load it can carry. So in this case, if you load the tire to 365kg then the speed rating of the tire becomes 168mph as per its speed index.
TL - means it is a tubeless tire. If you see ‘TT’ then it is a tube type tire, so it needs an inner tube to hold the air in. Some markings are simply TUBELESS or TUBE-TYPE
OTHER MARKINGS
Date code - 4 digits (inside an oval) showing the production of the tire – first 2 digits (the week number) and the next 2 digits (the year). For example, 2321 means a tire manufacturing in week 23 of the year 2021. This is a handy way to check that you’re not being sold an old tyre as they tend to get hard over time and lose their efficiency.
Wheel Rotation - the direction of the rotation is shown by an arrow used in installing the tire by paying special attention to the head of the arrow and making sure the rotation follows it.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants to the 1st Bolinao Endurance Challenge held on July 9-10, 2022 in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
A Special Tribute to rider Mark Casanova of Motokoloso, with Motor: Aerox155, for ranking 1st in the Solo and Over-all Category - 1200kms challenge. Motokoloso is an official distributor of Eurogrip Tyres in the Philippines. Mark Casanova is using Bee Connect Eurogrip tires - 110/80-14(front) and 140/70-14(rear).
The Bolinao Endurance Challenge is a 1200kms race from and to Bolinao Sports Complex in Pangasinan passing through checkpoints and photo ops of Infantra Centrum, San Narciso Arc, Mt. Samat Shrine, Maria Aurora Arc, Baler, Bundok Bakery, Malico VIewpoint, Amgaleyguey VIewdeck, Bessang Pass Monument and Wheeltek San Fernando.
2000 kms from North to South of Luzon, these 3 phenomenal motorcycle endurance riders conquered and completed this very challenging Endurance race for 37 hours. The only Sub 400c Elite finishers were using Eurogrip's Bee Connect tires - the reliable tires tested and proven to endure all good and bad road conditions - the WINNING TIRES!
Congratulations to the Official Elite Finishers of the Motul North South Endurance Challenge:
Roman Santos - Yamaha Xmax 300
Mark Casanova - Yamaha Xmax 300
Darwin Dizon - Yamaha Xmax 300
Tires: Eurogrip's Bee Connect
Makina Moto Tiangge x Makina Test Ride Consortium 2022
This is the largest gathering of moto accessory brands with the biggest industry wide sale, kick off for the "Ber" Months - Christmas season in the Philippines . Riders can also test ride the latest bikes in the industry to help them make better decisions in buying a motorcycle as we approach the Christmas Season.
Make every ride exciting with Vespa using Eurogrip tires for optimum grip and excellent riding comfort! Catch Eurogrip's booth on
1-2 October Makina Moto Tiangge with awesome discount and freebies! Kitakits sa Circuit Makati!
The International Motorcycle and Accessories Exhibition (EICMA) brings together in one place innovation and passion, technique and emotion, mobility and two-wheeled dreams.
Eurogrip, the premium motorcycle tire brand of TVS Srichakra Ltd, exhibited at EICMA 2022 presenting two new products for Europe: Roadhound, a sport touring tire and Climber XC, a tire specially designed for off-road. We spoke with P. Madhavan , the company's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, who told us about the new products and strategies for the coming years.
How did EICMA go?
EICMA is an incredible fair, it is the European platform for showing products and forging alliances with other players in the sector. It's a global event, great for building relationships.
What did you present this year?
We have launched two products developed for the European market: Roadhound, and Climber XC. The first is a sport touring product, a fundamental segment in Europe, with dual compound technology on radial rear sizes. It features excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions and improves handling and comfort on both naked and touring bikes.
The second, however, is a motocross, enduro and cross-country product, designed for leisure, training and racing. It offers great traction on different surfaces and durability thanks to the symmetrical shape of the block and tread pattern
What are your strategies? Where do you want to go as a company?
The goal is to consolidate and expand our position among the world's leading two-wheeler tire manufacturers in terms of performance, segment by segment. We are already among the top 5 in terms of volumes, naturally thanks to our leadership in the Indian market, which is the most largest in the world, and we are aiming for further growth thanks to expansion into international markets.
But the ranking in terms of performance is something else: we need products for all uses, motorcycles and scooters, we need to continue investing in research and development, be widespread in the commercial network and offer a timely and accurate after-sales service.
The old continent is a particularly critical market, not so much for volumes but for the know-how that is acquired by developing products for extremely sophisticated and demanding riders. The development tests for the newly launched products have been carried out in Europe, following very strict procedures and comparing the results with the well-known Premium brands.
Similarly to the development of the range, we are expanding the distribution network and currently cover around 70% of the potential expressed by the European markets. Our goal is to make our range easily available by the consumer in order to accelerate awareness of the brand and the qualitative goodness of the products through the most powerful marketing tool, i.e. "word of mouth".
“We are very excited about enriching the offer for the European markets, spurred on by the excellent reception for Bee Connect in the scooter world and by the first very positive feedback on the Climber XC for off-road vehicles. It will necessarily be a gradual path whose foundations rest on continuous research, prototyping, analysis and testing of the various products, in search of high-performance, effective solutions that bring value to the entire commercial chain“ added Andrea Bianchi Milella , Marketing Manager of the European branch of the Group.
Held last April 14-16, 2023 at SMX Convention Center Manila, Eurogrip launched two new products; Roadhound, a sport-touring tyre and Climber XC, an off-road tyre.
The newly-launched Roadhound, is a sport-touring tyre with dual compound technology. Eurogrip claim that these tyres offer good grip on both dry and wet surfaces, while improving handling and comfort for naked, sport and touring motorcycles. Furthermore, they said that tyre profile, tread pattern and structure have been engineered to provide high mileage and performance consistency. The tyres will be available from early 2023 in both radial and X-ply configurations.
Climber XC is a tyre for motocross, enduro and cross-country applications, designated for leisure, training and competition. The manufacturer claims that it has been developed and fine-tuned with expert inputs from motocross and enduro racing teams to provide good traction and lateral support across multiple surfaces.
All Eurogrip products are the result of multiple development cycles aimed at bringing together the best of all the tyre components. 3D modeling and FEA based predictive technology are complemented with extended testing in both indoor and outdoor real life conditions, stressing the tyre in order to ensure it is properly tuned before being released to the market. Roadhound and Climber XC are two prime examples of this approach, as they have been carefully scrutinized in every step of development to make sure their performances exceed rider expectations.
Exciting games, prizes and attractive, fun events filled the Eurogrip booth with hundreds of Eurogrip riders and first-timers.
#EUROGRIPLANGMALAKAS
Another first for our Resident Eurogrip Endurance Rider, Mark Casanova, as he rides with pride his trustworthy companion - Eurogrip tires Bee Connect during the 1st QTire Endurance Challenge last July 29-20, 2023
EUROGRIP Riders prove how much their BEE CONNECT tires can thrive through many road conditions! Mark Casanova is the first to arrive at the finish line along with other fellow Eurogrip endurance riders from different categories garnering majority spots of the podium!
Held last July 15-16, 2023 with Starting and Finishing line at Bazaar City, Cainta, Rizal .
Congratulations to all EUROGRIP finishers! #eurogriplangmalakas #endurancechallenge
Watch video to know more!
Definitely not for the faint-hearted, EUROGRIP is proud of the FIRST 2 CONQUESTORS - EUROGRIP RESIDENT RIDERS MARK CASANOVA AND ROMAN NUKI SANTOS for conquering the diverse terrains of the 5000 kms challenge of North Luzon Quest last October 1, 2023. Trusted only Eurogrip tyres in surpassing the different road conditions of this great Luzon adventure!
Our tribute to this extraordinary riders who conquered 33 provinces, 7 regions, 5000kms of the Luzon terrain!
Bridging the gap between road and off-road, the prototypes for two new Trail products were showcased for the first time at EICMA
Eurogrip showcased its new range of high-performance tyres, along with its existing products at EICMA 2023. The Climber family of tyres for motocross, enduro and cross-country, will be supplemented with the addition of Climber MX Junior, a new product dedicated to young off-road riders.
The Climber MX Junior features a unique knob geometry, compound and structure tuned for training, racing and leisure riding across various terrains on off-road bikes fitting wheels between 12 and 19-inches. The Climber XC-R will have three new versions of the 140/80 – 18 highly popular rear size in 3 new FIM-compliant versions.
While the medium compound version is the most versatile of the three, it is good for medium to soft terrains. The soft compound is indicated for racing purposes on highly technical enduro, including harder and/or slippery surfaces. The super soft compound is the stickiest version and is dedicated to the hardest courses.
New sizes with both radial and X-ply construction have been added to the Roadhound sport touring range suited for sport, naked and touring motorcycles. The new X-ply range is aimed at small to medium-displacement bikes, modern classics and older glories.
While the Trailhound SCR has been designed for modern classics and older glories and to aid dynamic road performances, Trailhound STR brings Sport Touring performances to Medium and Large Adventure bikes, with technology aimed at matching the performances and versatility of these vehicles.
Eurogrip will also be introducing a sportier version of the widely appreciated Bee Connect scooter tyre, designated as UHP (Ultra High Performance). The Bee Connect UHP features a softer compound specifically dedicated to those seeking high-speed scooter rides.
Commenting on the participation, P Madhavan, EVP, Sales and Marketing, TVS Srichakra Ltd said, “We are elated to be exhibiting at EICMA 2023 and are keen to engage with industry experts, trade and consumers at the show. The year 2023 has been outstanding for Eurogrip’s global growth, and 2024 is looking very positive. Our lineup of interesting new products for a wide range of two-wheelers renews our focus on Europe and other international markets.”
Renato Zilli, Commercial Director, Milan centre added, “We have many exciting offerings in our stand, looking forward to interacting and sharing knowledge with 2-wheeler specialists from across the globe. Eurogrip products are researched, designed and developed jointly by the company’s Italian and Indian R&D and product development teams, and have been thoroughly tested by independent professional riders across the globe.”
