Understanding Dirt Bike Tires | Everything You Need to Know
Bert's Mega Mall | Power Sports Hub
It is very easy to get overwhelmed when you are looking for new tires for your dirt bike. Not only are there a great variety of options to choose from, but the tire sizing can also be confusing. The tires are filled with letters and numbers that many people have no idea what they all mean. Between knowing the tire size, the knob design, DOT compliance, and the type of riding you do, a lot needs to be considered before you can choose a tire. Here is everything you need to know about understanding dirt bike tires.
Understanding Tire Size:
A dirt bike tire has several letters and numbers stamped all around it, but what does all that information mean? One of the most important pieces of information imprinted is the tire size. The tire size measurement is provided in a set of three numbers. These numbers represent the following information in this particular order: the width of the tire from the sidewall (in millimeters), the sidewall height or aspect ratio represented as a percentage of the tire’s width, and the inner diameter of the tire in inches. Knowing the tire size is important because you want to make sure the tire you buy fits your particular bike.
DOT Stamp:
When looking to purchase a dirt bike tire, you want to make sure that the tire is suitable for on-road use. When searching for a dirt bike tire, look throughout the sidewall of the tire for a DOT stamp. If you see the word “DOT” or “DOT Approved” on the tire, this certifies that the tire has been approved for on-road use in the United States. Tires that are not approved for road use may say something like “not intended for highway use.”
The Direction of Rotation:
Some companies make their tires be directional so they must be installed a certain way. It is extremely important to check if the tire is directional before you install it because you can be installing it the wrong way. To check if your tire is directional, look on the sidewall for an arrow. If there is an arrow, this usually means the tire is designed to be mounted so it rotates in a specific direction. If no arrow is stamped, then you can install the tire in any direction you choose.
Finding the Tire’s Lightest Point:
When actually installing the tire, it is important to find the tire’s lightest point. If you look around the sidewall, you should find a stamp or a mark that has been manually applied to the tire by the factory where it was made. The mark can be a quality control stamp or a simple dot. When the factory balances the tire, they stamp the lightest part of the tire for the customer. This is beneficial for the customer because if you put your rim lock or tube valve next to the stamp, the weight will help balance the tire out.
Types of Dirt Bike Tires:
Soft Terrain Tires:
A soft terrain tire is made specifically for riders who ride on soft terrains like sand, loam, and muddy conditions. The rubber compound is hard and the knobs on the tire are spaced out to allow for maximum traction in soft soil conditions. The knobs help scoop the soft terrain and move you forward. The front tire will have spiky knobs so that mud can be thrown off away from the tire preventing mud clogging up the gaps.
Intermediate Terrain Tires:
Intermediate terrain tires sit between the soft and hard terrain tires because they are designed for changing conditions between hard and soft tracks. This type of tire is perfect if you are riding in an area that has a mixture of land types and you do not want to switch out your tires. The knobs on this type of tire are closer together than the soft terrain tire because the track condition offers a natural stick and the compound used to manufacture the tire gives durability and helps prevent dirt pack. If you are the dirt bike rider that enjoys trail riding then this is the go-to tire.
Hard Terrain Tires:
Although these types of tires have the word “hard” in it, these tires are actually made of a soft, outer rubber compound to provide the rider extra grip on hard surfaces. The knobs are spaced closer together so that the tires can overcome everything from rocks, jutting roots, sharp sticks and even water holes filled with unseen boulders. This type of tire is meant for trail riding in the desert, hills, or mountains.
Paddle Tires:
Paddle tires are specifically for the rider who rides their dirt bike in the sand only. Unlike the other dirt bike tires, paddle tires do not have any knobs. Instead, they have a scoop shape that helps shovel the sand away and allows the bike to move forward. If you are riding at the sand dunes, having paddle tires will give tour dirt bike a boost of power when riding the dunes. If you try to ride any hard or semi-hard terrain with paddle tires, this will cause an uncomfortable and bumpy ride and wear down the paddles fast.
Conclusion:
A dirt bike tire has a lot of information all throughout the sidewall and it is important that you know what it all means before you go off to purchase new tires. Make sure the tires you are purchasing are the correct size for your unit and are DOT compliant. Also, it is important that you know the type of riding you will be doing so that you can pick the style of dirt bike that will be most beneficial for you. Once you master this dirt bike information, you will be ready to purchase new dirt bike tires for your bike.
Related:
- What Off-road Tires Are Right For You
- How to Master Riding Through Ruts
- How to Conquer The Whoops on a Dirt Bike
- Common Beginner Dirt Bike Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
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