Off-Road Tires

An off-road motorcycle is the natural choice for thrill-seeking riders on the trail. These bikes are intense vehicles, and the trail experience offers much more freedom and excitement than roads ever could. Having the perfect motorcycle isn’t always enough though. Many riders often look past the importance of their tires. This can give a rider handling and performance issues in certain terrains because their tires aren’t designed to handle it. At Sky Powersports, we want to let you in on the secret of off-road motorcycle tires, and when you’re ready to replace your tires or need other parts or services, come visit us in Lakeland, Florida.

Anatomy of a Motorcycle Tire Tread

There are three important attributes to consider when picking the best pair of tires for your off-road motorcycle: knob size, tread depth, and pattern shape. Knob size determines how much of the tire’s surface area makes contact on the ground. A bigger knob size means more contact, which results in better traction. Tread depth is how deep the tires will dig into the ground by displacing soft material around them. A deeper tread will displace more debris, which is best suited for riding on loose material with harder ground underneath. Pattern shape refers to the grooves cut into the tire’s surface, with some patterns designed specifically for optimal traction in wet conditions, while others are better suited for riders planning on sticking to drier terrain. Whether you want to ride on hard surfaces, soft trails, or something in between, choosing the right tire for the right trail can make the difference between a fun ride and a rough day.

Hard Terrain

Paths with hard-packed dirt and rocky trails are best handled by lower tread depth, and shorter knobs spaced close together for getting the right amount of grip. Too much tread depth won’t do much if there isn’t anything to displace. A good set of hard-terrain tires will have a soft carcass with increased flexibility, perfect for handling roads and trails with lots of bumps in the way.

Soft Terrain

Softer paths call for complicated designs, sometimes necessitating different specifications between front and rear tires. The knobs are spread out to kick mud, sand, and loose gravel out of the tread quickly, leading to better traction. Additional knobs on the side of the tire can grip softer ground even while taking hard corners. Raised paddles in the rear tire will slow you down on hard terrain but push across softer ground; the front tire has spikes and greater tread depth for digging through mud and sand to find the harder terrain beneath. There are many variations on this style, but all tires designed for soft terrain provide more traction and easier navigation.

Intermediate Terrain

Intermediate tires are designed for roads and paths firmer than sand and mud but not quite as hard-packed terrain. They offer a solid compromise in performance for riders on both hard and soft terrain, so they’re a great pick if you’re going between different terrain types on the same ride. Best suited for moderately rough paths, these tires’ knobs are longer and closer together for traction but unable to displace as much material as a soft terrain tire.

When to Replace

Puncture holes, irregularities in shape, and worn treads are all signs your tires need to be replaced. Uneven wear between tires is often overlooked, but both tires need to be in good condition. Additional cupping or scalping along to the side of the tread is a sure sign your tires need replacing, as are cracks. Age is a helpful factor to judge when to look at replacements; the rubber will harden and split given enough time, so beyond the annual checkup you’re sure to be on top of, checking the manufacturer date is the best way to prevent tire failure during a ride. Five years is the usual life expectancy, and even if the tread is still good, you could be riding on hard rubber ready to split.

Once you’re ready to upgrade your motorcycle’s off-road tires, don’t hesitate to visit us at Sky Powersports. We also sell parts and do repairs at our service department, and we proudly serve the areas of Lakeland, Orlando, and Brandon, Florida.