Tyre Speed Rating: What You Need to Know

Apr 7
02:00

2022

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin

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What is so important about knowing a tyre speed rating

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Tyre speed ratings are a measure of the maximum velocity that a tyre can be driven at without sustaining damage. It is expressed in miles per hour or kilometres per hour,Tyre Speed Rating: What You Need to Know Articles and it is important for your motorcycle to have appropriate tyres rated for its intended use. Damaging your tyres is not economical because the three wheel or motorcycle tyre price in Sri Lanka or elsewhere can be quite high, and damaged tyres means you will need to get new tyres online in Sri Lanka to replace the damaged ones.

 

Tyre speed ratings

You can check your motorcycle's tyre speed rating by checking the owner's manual. The tyre speed rating is usually expressed in miles per hour or kilometres per hour, and you can find it listed on your motorcycle tyres' sidewall.

 

If you're not sure about what tyre speed rating to select for your bike, take a look at the guide below:

  • Motorcycles up to 130mph/210kph - tyre with 70mph/113kph speed rating (Suitable for general riding).
  • Motorcycles between 131-149 mph / 211-240 kph - tyres rated 80mph/129khp (Suitable for spirited highway use).
  • Motorcycles from 150-169 mph / 241-275 kph - tyres rated 89+ mph / 144+ kph (Suitable for serious highway use).
  • Motorcycles at speeds over 170 mph / 275kph - tyres rated 99mph/159khp or higher

 

Why should I care about tyre speed rating?

Caring about your tyre speed rating is necessary because it can affect your vehicle's performance. Without it you will not know how fast you can safely go on your motorcycle or other vehicle, and this can cause bad accidents.

 

What is the difference between summer tyres and winter tyres?

Summer tyres are essentially those which are best suited to the summer months, and winter tyres for those cold weather months. The main difference is in their tread patterns; road-biased vs snow/ice specific.

 

Using the right tyres for the season is important in order to stay safe. Not using the right type of tyres can result in accidents and even fatalities.

 

Summer tyres are easily recognisable as they will be smooth with a thin tread, while winter tyres will have very large lugs for ice traction. The grip of the rubber compound is also different between these two types of tyres; those made to handle colder temperatures tend to stick better but wear faster whereas those intended for warmer weather perform well at high speeds but lack in low-temperature performance. Summer tyres provide excellent handling on dry roads and good resistance against aquaplaning. They can vary from hard compounds that result in superior braking power without being too soft which would only increase stopping distances when they become wet or icy. In contrast, winter tyres not only offer great stability in all conditions but their softer construction allows them to create more grip on snow and ice. In fact, winter motorcycle tyres are typically better at grip in low temperatures than summer ones. However, this may be a problem as they also have less resistance to aquaplaning which means that braking distances will increase significantly when it is wet or icy outside.

 

How do I know what type of tyre to buy for my motorcycle?

Finding out what tyre type is best for your motorcycle will depend on two main factors, your driving style and the season of the year.

 

The importance of buying good quality tyres to avoid accidents and reduce your insurance premiums

Good quality tyres are essential for any vehicle, but most especially so for motorcycles and other smaller vehicles because they are the only point of contact the vehicle has with the road (it is the same with three wheeled vehicles where you need to get good quality three-wheel tyres online in Sri Lanka to ensure safety of everyone concerned) and the only thing that's stopping the rider from going head over heels.

 

Motorcycle tyres are a lot more expensive than car tyres, and they're also not very easy to come by. If you have an accident, your motorcycle tyre is damaged or it has gone flat, finding a new one can be difficult if there aren't any good quality used ones available on the market. In short, check your air pressure. It may seem like common sense but make sure you know how much space each of your tyres take up in terms of psi before heading out on a long journey. This will ensure that both yourself and other road users remain safe when driving at high speeds or around corners where accidents tend to happen most.

 

A tyre’s speed rating is an important indicator of the maximum safe speeds at which a particular tyre can be used. If you are unsure about your motorcycle's speed rating, or if you have any questions about selecting tyres for your bike, get in touch with a professional today.