Bridgestone Motorcycle North America

Basic Motorcycle Tire

Information

Norris “T.J.” Tennent

Motorsports Project Manager

Work Hard!
Have fun!
Have Passion!
Enjoy Life!
O.K. get your minds

out of the gutter and

Let’s Talk Tires!!!

Bias Ply Radial

The drawbacks of using Bias-Ply The benefits of using Radial

Technology: Technology:

•In bias-ply tires the tread & •Outstanding traction due to

sidewalls share the same casing flat stable crown & larger
plies footprint

•All sidewall flexing is transmitted

to the tread, resulting in: •Better distribution of
•deformation in the tread contact pressure in footprint
patch resulting in reduced soil
•friction with the ground compaction & greater
•rapid wear flotation
•reduced traction
•higher fuel consumption
•Reduced working time due
to less tire slip, greater
productivity

•Reduced fuel consumption

•Longer tread life

•Comfort & handling on the

road
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Cap ply • Not all components are in
Belt plies all tires.

Tread

Shoulder inserts
Cord body
Innerliner
Sidewall

Bead
bundles

Beadfiller
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Innerliner

The innerliner is a rubber compound

bonded to the inside of the cord body
that retains air under pressure. It has
no cord reinforcing and functions as
an innertube in a tubeless tire.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Bead Bundles
• Tire bead bundles are
large copper, brass, or
bronze plated high tensile
steel cords wound
together. Tire beads
occasionally include some
type of fabric wrap to
retain the bead shape prior
to the curing process. The
body plies of the tire are
looped around the bead
bundles to hold the plies
in place. The bead holds
the tire on the rim.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Bead Filler
• The bead filler is a
hard rubber
compound used to
provide stability to
the lower sidewall
and bead area.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Cord Body [ tire casing ]
• The cord body provides tire
strength and transmits
cornering forces from the
tread to the wheel. Rubber
coated cord, called body
plies, make up the cord body.
Body plies can be polyester,
rayon, or nylon. Polyester is
the most common cord body.
The area of the body ply that
wraps around the bead is
called the turn up.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Sidewall
• The sidewall is the
area of a tire from the
bead to the tread. It
forms a protective
covering for the cord
body. Sidewall
rubber compounds
resist aging, cracking,
cutting, and
snagging, and contain
sidewall treatments
such as white
lettering.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Belt Plies [ package or system ]
• Belt plies are two or more
strong layers of cord under
the tread area. The main
function of the belt system is
to provide stability to the
tread area of the tire. They
assist in improving tire
mileage, impact resistance,
and traction by giving the
tread area extra strength and
stability. The most common
cord material used in the belt
plies is steel.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Cap Ply
• The cap ply also found
in some tires is similar
to belt edge strips only
full width instead of
just on the belt edges.
These components may
be used for a number of
reasons, but most
commonly to enhance
high speed
performance.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
PARTS OF A TIRE
Tire Components
Tread
• The tread is the portion
of the tire in contact with
the road surface. The
tread compound and
shape are designed to
optimize the wear,
traction, handling, fuel
economy, and cut
resistance characteristics
of the tire given the tire’s
intended use.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE AND
RIM DIMENSIONS Tire Dimensions
These are the basic
 Tread Width
 Section Width tire dimension terms.
 Section Height
 Overall Diameter
 Static Loaded Radius
 Aspect Ratio [profile or series]
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE AND
RIM DIMENSIONS Tire Dimensions
Tread Width
• The tread width is the distance
TREAD WIDTH from outer edge to outer edge of
the tread. You can estimate
differences between the existing
and the replacement tires by
comparing the tread widths. You
can estimate changes in fender
well and frame clearances by
dividing the tread width
differences between the existing
tire and the replacement tire by
two.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE AND
RIM DIMENSIONS Tire Dimensions
Section Width

The section width is the width of a

TREAD WIDTH
new tire when mounted on the tire’s
measuring rim, including normal
sidewalls but not including
protective side ribs, bars, raised
letters, or decorations. You can
estimate the width differences
between the existing and
SECTION WIDTH replacement tires by comparing the
overall section widths. You can
estimate changes in sidewall to
fender well, frame, and suspension
clearances by dividing the overall
section width differences between
the existing tire and the
replacement tire by two.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE AND
RIM DIMENSIONS Tire Dimensions
Section Height

The section height of a new tire is

TREAD WIDTH the distance from the rim vertically to
the highest point of the unloaded tread
area.

SECTION HEIGHT

SECTION WIDTH
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE AND
RIM DIMENSIONS Tire Dimensions
Aspect Ratio [profile or series]
75 SERIES
The aspect ratio, also known as
the profile or series, is the ratio
Height of the section height to the section
= 75% of Width width. For example, a 75 series tire
is approximately 75 as high as it
is wide.
Lower aspect ratio tires, such as 60
series, generally offer performance
advantages over higher aspect ratio
tires, such as 70 or 75 series. They
provide more responsive handling,
70 SERIES
more stability, and better high-speed
60 SERIES capabilities.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE AND
RIM DIMENSIONS Tire Dimensions
Overall Diameter
• The overall diameter of a tire is
the distance from tread surface to
SECTION tread surface while inflated but not
HEIGHT loaded. It is twice the section height
plus the nominal rim diameter. You
can estimate the height difference
between the existing and
RIM
OVERALL replacement tires by comparing the
DIAMETER overall tire diameters. You can
DIAMETER
estimate changes in the tire to
fender well clearance and vehicle
ground clearance by comparing the
radiuses (diameter divided by 2 =
radius) of the two tires.
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE AND
RIM DIMENSIONS Tire Dimensions
Static Loaded Radius

• The static loaded radius

SECTION is the distance from the
HEIGHT
center of the axle to the
OVERALL
contact surface when a
DIAMETER prescribed load is applied
to a tire mounted on
RIM
DIAMETER the measuring rim and
inflated to the
STATIC
LOADED recommended pressure.
RADIUS
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE SIDEWALL Additional Tire Sidewall Information
INFORMATION
Maximum Load and Inflation Pressure

The maximum load

indicates the load
capacity for a tire. The
inflation pressure
indicates the maximum
air pressure.
 LOAD INDEX (LI) RATING CHART

LI lbs. LI lbs. LI lbs. LI lbs. LI lbs.

20 176 33 254 46 375 59 536 72 783
21 182 34 260 47 386 60 551 73 805
22 187 35 267 48 397 61 567 74 827
23 193 36 276 49 408 62 584 75 853
24 198 37 282 50 419 63 600 76 882
25 204 38 291 51 430 64 617 77 908
26 209 39 300 52 441 65 639 78 937
27 215 40 309 53 454 66 661 79 963
28 220 41 320 54 467 67 677 80 992
SPEED RATING CHART
29 227 42 331 55 481 68 694 81 1019
Maximum Design/Test Speed
30 234 43 342 56 494 69 716 82 1047
31 240 44 353 57 507 70 736 83 1074 J Type 62 100
32 247 45 364 58 520 71 761 84 1102 N Type 87 140
Motorcycle P Type 94 150
Speed
Ratings S Type 112 180
H Type 130 210
V Type 149 240
Z Type 149+ 240+
 CORE TIRE KNOWLEDGE

chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE SIDEWALL Additional Tire Sidewall Information
INFORMATION The Department of Transportation
[DOT] Code
The last four digits should
be your concern! The first
This is important because your of
The Department
two digits are the Transportation
week that
warranty is good for four years
the tire was produced andis a serial
[DOT] Code
from the DOT date or fourthat
number years
denotes specific
the last two digits are the information
manufacturing
from the date of purchase up to
year the tire was about the tire. The serial
produced!
7 years!number includes the DOT
label, the manufacturer and
plant code, the tire size
DOT XX XX XXX 2007
code, optional symbols from
the manufacturer, and the
date of manufacture.
 Technical Topics
• Changing tire fitment
• Towing Trailers
• Dealers and Sales Reps need more tire
knowledge
• Cupping on front tires (heavier
bikes)
• Wear on one side of the tire
• Tires mounted backwards
• Nitrogen vs. Compressed air
• Tire Mileage
• Warranty
• Changing Tire Fitment
1) Tires marked “Front Tire” or “Rear Tire” should be mounted only in their
stated wheel positions.
2) Some motorcycle wheel positions may only be fitted with radial, bias, or
bias belted tires. Consult owners manual, local dealer, or Tire
Manufactures Technical center for the correct tire/wheel combination for
your vehicle.
3) Switching from Radial to Bias or Tube Type to Tubeless

• Towing Trailers
1) Towing trailers behind your motorcycle may contribute to motorcycle
instability. It may also cause tire stress through overload. This overloaded
condition could cause damage to the tire which could result in a sudden tire
failure and/or accident. Most tire manufactures do not warranty tires fitted
on motorcycles fitted with trailers
2) Sidecars should not be fitted to motorcycles without approval from your
vehicle manufacturer. If approval is obtained for sidecar fitment to your
vehicle, the tire manufacturer should be consulted, before fitment, to ensure
proper tire fitment and load caring capacity
 BMW K1200LT
Tread Ma
Article Tire Rim Tire OE Load Speed O/A Tread Approved Max
Depth x O.E.
Number Size Size Description Code Rating Rating Dia Width Rim Load
(32's) PSI

057537 120/70B17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL (BIAS) M 58V V 23.9 4.8 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 BMW K1200LT 2005

BMW K1200LT 2005-2006 (Bias

057537 120/70B17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL (BIAS) M 58V V 23.9 4.8 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42
Ply)

070593 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL E 58W Z 23.7 4.6 5 3.50 520 42 BMW R1150RT 2005

071630 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL NN 58W Z 23.8 58V is equal to

4.6 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 Triumph Sprint ST 2006

094427

103489
120/70ZR17M/C

120/70ZR17M/C
17

17
BT020F BW TL

BT020F BW TL
UU

L
58W

58W
Z

Z
max load is 520lbs
23.7

23.8
4.7

4.6
5

5
(3.50)3.50-3.75

(3.50)3.50-3.75
520

520
42

42
BMW K1200GT 2006

Kawasaki ZRX1200 2001-2003

085901 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL - 58W Z at 42psi at 149MPH

23.8 4.7 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 Ducati ST3 2006

116815 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL B 58W Z 23.8 4.6 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 Honda VFR800F 2002-2003

039364 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL G 58W Z 23.8 4.6 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 Yamaha FZ6 2003-2004

039364 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL G 58W Z 23.8 4.6 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 Kawasaki Ninja 650R 2006

021718 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL CC 58W Z 23.7 4.7 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 Yamaha FJR1300 2001-2004

021718 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL CC 58W Z 23.7 79V is equal to

4.7 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 BMW K1200GT 2003-2004

021718 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL CC 58W Z max load is 963lbs

23.7 4.7 5 (3.50)3.50-3.75 520 42 BMW R1200RT 2006

021718

070865
120/70ZR17M/C

120/70ZR18M/C
17

18
BT020F BW TL

BT020F BW TL
CC

F
58W

59W
Z

Z
at 48psi at 149MPH
23.7

24.7
4.7

4.5
5

5
(3.50)3.50-3.75

(3.50)3.50-3.75
520

536
42

42
Yamaha FZ6 2004-2006

Honda ST1300 2002-2004

085979 160/60ZR17M/C 17 BT020R BW TL - 69W Z 24.9 6.5 8 (4.50)4.25-5.00 716 42 Kawasaki Ninja 650R 2006

057554 160/70B17M/C 17 BT020R BW TL (BIAS) M 79V V 25.8 6.3 8 (5.00)4.25-5.00 963 48 BMW K1200LT 2005

BMW K1200LT 2005-2006 (Bias

057554 160/70B17M/C 17 BT020R BW TL (BIAS) M 79V V 25.8 6.3 8 (5.00)4.25-5.00 963 48
Ply)
 GL1800LT
Load Tread
Article Tire Rim Tire OE Speed O/A Tread Approved Max Max
Ratin Depth O.E.
Number Size Size Description Code Rating Dia Width Rim Load PSI
g (32's)

122971 130/70R18M/C 18 G709F BW TL - 63H H 25.3 5.0 6 3.50 600 41

63H is equal to
max load is 600lbs
at 41psi at 130MPH

Tread
Article Tire Rim Tire OE Load Speed O/A Tread Approved Max Max
Depth O.E.
Number Size Size Description Code Rating Rating Dia Width Rim Load PSI
(32's)

070627 180/60R16M/C 16 G704R BW TL - 74H H 24.5 6.9 10 5.00 827 41 Honda GL1800 2001-2002

070627 180/60R16M/C 16 G704R BW TL - 74H H 24.5 6.9 10 5.00 827 41 Honda GL1800 2003

74H is equal to
max load is 827lbs
at 41psi at 130MPH
 501/827
451/737
482/832
449/717
462/823
440/726
438/788
449/798 Motorcycle Data collection
482/838
BIKE INFO
453/821 Weights (FRT / REAR)

YEAR MAKE MODEL Mileage Fuel Level Bike Only W/1 Rider W/2 Riders

1 2004 HONDA GL1800 41,889 FULL 440/556 488/646 501/827

2 2002 HONDA GL1800 18,254 FULL 422/526 471/636 482/832

3 2002 Max load

HONDA at max air
GL1800 12,901 FULL Max433/548
load at max air pressure
466/642 462/823

HONDApressure (41psi) 50,974

is
4 2001 GL1800 FULL
is 963lbs
394/543
(48psi) 440/629 438/788
with stock
5 2003 827lbs GL1800
HONDA with stock 40,580
parts FULL 431/579
parts and rider 482/656
and passenger482/838
6 2002 HONDA
and rider GL1800 60,288
and passenger FULL 447/614
average 449/638
weights 453/821
of 200 and
7 2003 BMW
averageK1200LT
weights of 58,895
200 2/3 392/484 453/605
120lbs 451/737

8 2007 BMW and 120lbs

K1200LT 0 FULL 403/462 451/594 449/717

9 2005 BMW K1200LT 25,294 1/3 389/462 436/592 440/726

 Cargo Trailer comparison guide
Manufacturer / Model Cubic Max Overall Body Wheel Empty Ice Luggage
Alphabetic by manufac. Feet Load Suspension Width Length Length base Weight Lid Chest Rack
Independent Full/front
American Legend 20 350 Torsion bar 45" 91" 51" 38" 180 pivots Option Option
independent Full/front
Bushtec/Roadstar 22 225 trailing arm/air 40" 84" 48" 36" 125 pivot Option Option
Independent Full/front
Bushtec/Turbo +2 25 225 trailing arm/air 39" 86" 50" 36" 125 pivot Option Option
Independent Full/front
Bushtec/Quantum 26 225 trailing arm/air 39" 86" 50" 36" 150 pivot Option Option
Independent Full/front
Bushtec/Genesis 27 200 trailing arm/air 39" 88" 54" 36" 185 pivot Standard No
Independent

California/Escapade 17 350
trailing arm/adj.
Shock/coil 37" 85" 58" 30” 142 front
You’re still
Full/pivots
Option Option
at
California/Escapade
Independent
trailing arm/adj.
430lbs towing
Full/pivots
LE 25 350 Shock/coil
Trailing swing
40" 94" 67" 33” 168 front
Full/pivots
Stopping
Inside Option

Champion/Colorado 24 370 arm 41" 94" 68" 34" 165 front

Full/pivots
weight!
Option Option

Cyclemate/CM1000 15 200 Independent 38" 72" 42" 36” 125 side No Standard
Full/pivots
Cyclemate/CM2000 19 225 Independent 38" 86" 54" 36” 145 side No Standard
Cyclemate/CM2000 Full/pivots
LTD 22 270 Independent 38" 86" 54" 36” 155 side No Standard
Independent Full/pivots
Cyclemate/Windraider 19 215 torsion arm 40” 95” 61” 31” 185 front Option No
Independent Full/pivots
Cyclemate/Zephyr 22 200 torsion arm 43” 95” 59” 36” 230 front Option Option
Getaway/GT Custom swing Full/pivots
Eliminator 26 320 arm 34" 77" 44" 36” 110 front Option Standard
Getaway/GT Custom swing Full/pivots
Millenium 24 280 arm 40” 88” 48” 38” 180 front Option No
Custom swing Full/pivots
Getaway/GT Sport 16 180 arm
Custom swing
34” 77” 44” 32” 110 front
Full/pivots
No no
You’re still at
250 50” 89” 89” 47” 150
Getaway/GT Voyager 26 arm
Twin trailing
front No No
290lbs towing
Hannigan/Trans-Sport 27 300
arms/independ.
coil/gas shocks 44” 96” 75” 36” 200
2/3/pivots
front No No
Stopping
Twin trailing
arms/independ. 2/3/pivots
weight!
Hannigan/Europa 23 300 coil/gas shocks 40” 80” 67” 34” 170 front No No
Neosho/Starlite Full-
Deluxe 19 250 Leaf Spring 35" 77" 49" 28” 150 pivots Option Option
If you just have to tow…..use
a trike. The tires have the
load carrying capacity!
• Dealers and Sales Reps need more tire knowledge
1) Dealers have limited or no knowledge of how
the motorcycle tire warranty system works.
2) Working with the larger distributors to increase dealer
tire knowledge
3) Seminars like this will increase consumer knowledge

• Cupping on front tires (heavier bikes)

1) Three reasons
A. 90%-Air Pressure-Air Pressure- Air Pressure
B. 8%-Mechanical
C. 2%-Tire tread design

• Wear on one side of the tire

1) Always alignment related (same as on your 4 wheeled
vehicle)
• Tires Mounted Backwards
1) Tires have a directional arrow on them for a reason

• Nitrogen vs. Compressed air

Pros Cons
N2 is always Drier Usually costs money
N2 helps tire run cooler Not always available
N2 is good for higher speeds What percentage N2
C.A. is readily available Sometimes very wet
C.A. is as good as N2 when Very hard to get in dry
dry condition.
• Tires Mileage
1) Why can’t I get 30 or 40 thousand miles out of my motorcycle tires
2) The application, compound, and the footprint
3) The rider, the type of bike, maintenance on the bike, the type of tire,
how much air pressure, the ambient temperature, the road surface
temperature, type of road surface, demographics (location),
whewwwwww!

• Warranty
1) Consult your dealer
2) Consult your tire manufacturer
3) Consult your vehicle manufacturer
4) Most tire manufacture's have a basic warranty for workmanship and
materials
5) Engineers want to know if you are having a tire problem
6) Because of the “Tread Act” no one can “just send you a tire”.
7) Though “forums” are O.K. for you to vent, they don’t allow the
manufacturer to investigate a tire problem. We have to see the tire with
the problem to determine what is wrong with the tire.
Questions???

Thank You