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Choosing a proper motorcycle tire is not something you should blow off. It's ideal to always seek out precisely the right tire for your personal riding style. Not only that, but having a quality set of rubber underneath you will result in better grip and more confidence when riding.
There's a massive variety of DOT tires to choose from. It can be a bit overwhelming without a little research. In order to help with that, we'll look at 7 of the best motorcycle tire options to go with, depending on the type of riding you'll be doing.
Dunlop American Elite
Tire manufacturer Dunlop has crafted a decades-long relationship with Harley-Davidson. When it's time for replacement, the American Elite is the ultimate cruiser tire. It's the only replacement for H-D models that's designed, made, and tested in America.
The tread compound offers good grip in all weather conditions, it's quiet on the roads, and has a noticeably long lifespan. That means you can take on those long-distance trips knowing your tires have enough durability to keep going.
Michelin Pilot Power
If performance is what you're after, the Michelin Pilot Power serves as a fantastic choice. It uses real Moto GP technology, and that means something considering they've won 15 consecutive GPWorld Championships. A quality tire for a sport bike in particular.
The rubber compound is 20 percent softer on the edges, giving extreme grip during cornering. On a dry condition Michelin test track, they achieved an astounding 51.2 degrees of lean angle. Not only is it a beast on the track, but it handles equally as well as a street tire. Additionally, It achieves a speed rating of 168 miles per hour in wet conditions.
Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
Another great sport bike tire is the Pirelli Diablo Rosso III. I've run these tires on my personal bikes in the past, and they have exceptional grip. The sidewall is derived from WSBK, and the tread pattern provides a larger contact patch for improved handling.
Utilizing the dual-compound structure, you'll still have full grip at mid-lean angle. It may not be the longest lasting tire out there, but it'll hold up to some pretty high speeds, and there's no doubt that it's one of the stickiest tires for road use. Just make sure you allow them to break-in and warm-up first. It also does surprisingly well in wet weather.
Bridgestone Battlax
Bridgestone's Battlax lineup is seemingly endless. Whether you're riding an off-road ADV, sport-touring bike, dual sport, or sport bike, Bridgestone has a model that'll handle the exact terrain you've been eyeing up. The Battlax Hypersport S22 is a popular option for aggressive road-use tubeless tires.
Using a five-layer compound structure, you'll get the best of both worlds. The middle section is much more durable to withstand road riding in straight-lines, and the edges are softer for more grip in the corners. The tread pattern easily allows for more than enough wet grip.
Dunlop Sportmax Q3+
I may be a bit biased, but the Dunlop Q3+ is a tire that I have been using and abusing on my bikes for quite some time, and still currently use. If there was ever a street tire that felt like a radial tire in regards to grip, it's the Q3+. It's perfect for the track or the roads.
It's made for those who love to lean into the turns with confidence. There's a variety of tire sizes to choose from, and they also use a carbon fiber reinforcement in the tire sidewalls. Keep in mind, while they will withstand long straight-line riding to an extent, the soft rubber compound does tend to wear out quicker than others.
Continental Conti Road Attack 3
The Conti Road tires are the perfect blend of a sporty durable tire. It's undeniably a great choice to use for touring motorcycle tires or sport-touring tires. It offers a fast break in, a long-lasting center tread, grippy compound, and it handles wet roads like a boss.
This is the do-it-all motorcycle tire. Buying these new tires come in at an affordable price, and the lifespan they provide is well worth the purchase. The versatility is practically unmatched.
Michelin Commander III
Lastly, we'll discuss another quality cruiser tire. The Commander III is one of the newest Michelin tires specifically designed for V-twin cruisers and touring bikes. After testing, it was revealed that this tire resulted in the shortest stopping distance in wet weather conditions.
On top of that, the rubber lasts quite a while. It's designed for those longer distance rides, and it holds up exceptionally well when it's put to the test. The handling improvement you'll get from a set of these will also definitely impress you.