Understanding the exact pair of Dirt bike tyres is the first step in getting the perfect set of tyres for your bike. There are a lot of ways to categorise bike tyres, from style to terrain to performance. Let’s see how to make the correct tyre decision based on the style of the rider. The article also includes some maintenance tips to get the best out of your buck.
Types of Dirt Bike Tyres -Based on the Riding Style
- Dual Sport
These types of tyres come as a mix of both off-road and street-legal tyres and offer good performance on both uses. However, to make them street-legal, there should be a few pieces of equipment.
- Motocross
Motocross tyres are ideal for closed dirt courses that feature ramps and other obstacles. Since they face less harsh obstacles like rocks or tree roots, Motocross tyres come with knobby tyre treads. With the help of its wider-spaced and taller knobs, these tyres create a paddle effect to counter mud.
- Trail Woods
Since there is a wide range of terrains to conquer in trail woods, tyres need better adaptability. As a result, Off-road tyres are used here, and they need a durable machine to go with them.
Types of Dirt Bike Tyres -Based on Terrain
Let’s look at the different tyre categories that complement different terrain types.
- Hard Terrain – Tyres with a softer compound are ideal
- Soft Terrain – Tyres with a harder compound are ideal
- Intermediate Terrain – A combination of the best of both soft and hard terrains.
Motocross (knobbies) vs dual-sport motorcycle tyres
Motocross tyres with knobs provide the ideal solid grip for just about any off-road surface. With their large, square rubber knobs, riders can experience maximum grip and get an edge, regardless of their riding skills.
However, the factory-installed adventure dirt bike tyres, which are 70/30 dual sport tyres, come with a smoother and less pronounced tread pattern. Due to their grip limit feedback, they often tend to drift and slip, especially when turning.
When comparing the two, knobby motocross tyres offer better grip and a much easier riding experience on dirt. However, the dual sport dirt bike tyres offer good performance on a wide range of terrain. They also will allow the rider to adapt to the movement by reacting instinctively, thus creating a better rider.
Hard Terrain vs Soft Terrain Tyres
Soft compound tyres work better on hard terrains, while hard compound tyres work better on softer terrains. The softer compound tyres allow for a better grip on hard surfaces, while harder compound tyres prevent the knobs from flexing.
Size Numbers on Dirt Bike Tyres
When selecting the perfect tyres for a dirt bike, the size matters. With the size dimensions, the rider and the seller can easily determine what type of tyres are ideal for the bike. Here are the three measurements to take into consideration when determining the tyre size.
- Width of the tyre
- The aspect ratio of the tyre (sidewall height)
- The rim diameter.
What is the best pressure for Your Dirt Bike Tyres?
The air pressure for your dirt bike tyres depends on your ride, how you ride it, and where you ride it. For softer surfaces, use less air pressure. You will need to use more pressure for hard surfaces. But, be aware using too much on hard terrain can cause your ride to bounce off obstacles. So, make sure to adjust your tyre pressure properly before doing any serious riding.
When do you need to change the tyres?
Having a proper set of tyres will always provide better performance and safety for you. However, there comes a time when every tyre must be replaced with a new one. So, how to identify if your tyres need replacing? Here are a few signs…
- Constantly losing traction
- Tyres are not holding enough air pressure
- If the tyre or 10 years or elder
- Moving to a new climate or terrain
The Good news, however, is that you don’t have to change your tyres if you spot these signs right away.
Try our Tread Doctor tread-cutting tool on your worn-out tyres and get them fixed without having to spend a fortune. The specially designed heated carbide cutting blade inside the Tread Doctor will allow you to cut and refresh your trades to gain back traction and more juice from your tyres.
Final Thoughts
Tyres are an essential part of your riding experience. While there are different types of dirt bike tyres, there is something that every tyre has in common, treads. Be it tyres for motocross or tracking, your treads need to be perfect to give you the traction that you need. We hope this article would give some insights into different tyre types and how to select the best one for your situation.
