MICHELIN presents the Desert Race cross tyre:
- Exceptional resistance, regardless of terrain, temperature, power, and weight of the machines
- Excellent handling in winding conditions
- Excellent stability at high speed
Characteristics of different types of cross/Enduro tyres:
- Hard type: suitable for dry and rocky terrain
- Mixed/hard type: suitable for loose and dry terrain
- Mixed/soft type: suitable for loose and soft terrain
- Mixed type: suitable for loose terrain
- Mud type: suitable for muddy terrain
- Sand type: suitable for sandy terrain
Road holding, braking, comfort... The choice of a motorcycle tyre affects many aspects of your machine's behaviour, both on the road and on the track or off-road. It is therefore essential to carefully select the model that best meets your needs.
To help you gain clarity, here are some explanations that will assist you in deciphering the information found on motorcycle tyres:
- Dimensions: width of the tyre in millimetres and height of the tyre as a percentage of this width. E.g.: 190/55, for 190 mm wide and 55% high
- Structure: radial (ZR, or R) or diagonal (B), both tyres must be identical in this criterion
- Diameter: expressed in inches, e.g. 17 or 19
- Load index: maximum load that the tyre can support
- Speed index: maximum speed that the tyre can support
- M/C indicator: purpose of the tyre, M/C for motorcycles
- With or without inner tube: TL ("tubeless") for tubeless tyres, TT ("tubetype") with inner tube
In some specific cases, other mentions may appear, generally associated with the commercial name of the tyre. Here are a few:
- A: Kawasaki
- C, F or GT: BMW specification
- E or B: Special carcass for heavy or loaded motorcycles
- G: Specification for Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha
- GTW: Heavy, fast, and powerful Grand Touring motorcycles
- H: Original Honda specification
- K: Very fast motorcycles
- M: Original equipment for Suzuki
- N: For Aprilia, Honda, Ducati, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph
- RF: Reinforced tyre
- WW: White-walled tyre
Other less significant references are also found on the sidewall of motorcycle tyres (country of manufacture, DOT marking, etc.)
Don't forget to regularly check your tyre pressure, as it ensures longevity and superior performance!