Buy cross/trial motorcycle tyres

To practice motocross or trial safely and increase your chances of winning, good quality tires are part of the essential motorcycle accessories. These equipments are essential for the good handling of your two-wheeler, as they are the ones that ensure the connection with the ground. To help you choose them well, Tyreleader.ie has prepared for you some practical tips and tricks that you will discover throughout this buying guide on motocross/trial tires.

How to recognize motocross/trial tires?

New tires for motocross and trial are characterized by the presence of studs on the surface of their tread. These rubber bumps allow them to adhere well to the road, regardless of its technicality. To differentiate a motocross tire from an enduro tire, just carefully check the size of their studs. Those of the wheels generally used for motocross and trial practice are larger. However, it is not uncommon to see motorcyclists equip their motocross bike with enduro tires. These offer notably better grip on angles.

When to change a motocross/trial tire?

Even if you have chosen the best tires and they have a good longevity, their replacement can become a necessity in two situations: when they are worn out and after several punctures.

Your tires are worn out

As a general rule, the lifespan of tires used for motocross or trial practice is 4 years. However, if you ride regularly, the rubber will undoubtedly wear out much faster.

The first element you should take into account to judge the wear level of your tires' sculptures is the condition of their studs. If they are completely rounded at their end, it means that your rubbers are worn out. Similarly, when your studs are seriously damaged (or start to tear off one after the other), you should think about replacing your tires as soon as possible. Using tires with rounded or missing studs exposes you to risks of varying severity depending on the type of terrain you ride on, especially in corners. Regardless of the tire range, the direct consequences of these forms of wear usually involve the loss of wheel grip. The brake pads can no longer play their role and this extends the braking time. You will also have more difficulty in controlling your motorcycle.

Discoloration and cracks are also among the signs that indicate that a motocross/trial tire is worn and needs to be replaced. These signs are observed when the rubber is old or when it has been abandoned for a long time under poor conditions. Cracks in the sculpture usually appear at the base of the studs. But they gradually extend to the sides of the tire. As for discoloration, it is manifested by a dulling of the black color of the tire which then turns gray.

All tires showing these signs can burst if you continue to use them intensively.

Moreover, when you notice that the wear of your tires is irregular, that is, some parts are more damaged than others, you should immediately think about a change. It's about your safety! It is advisable to change the front tire and the rear tire together for the best driving experience.

After several punctures

Since motocross and trial are mostly practiced on rough terrain or scattered with obstacles, punctures are frequent. Very often, when a puncture is minor on a good tire, it is possible to plug the breach and use it for some more time. However, after several punctures and therefore multiple repairs, the best solution to avoid unpleasant surprises is to simply change your wheels. This is also valid if you have motocross tires that work with an inner tube.

In some cases, a tire replacement may even be necessary after a single puncture (when the opening is too wide for example).

What are the criteria to consider when choosing your motocross/trial tires?

Choosing your motocross/trial tires well is crucial for good performance on the track and for your safety.

The dimensions of the tires

It is important that the new tires you choose for your motorcycle respect the dimensions recommended by the manufacturer. The use of oversized or undersized wheels is strongly discouraged, as it can have undesirable effects on the handling of motorcycles. To avoid any problem, simply choose tires that have the same dimensions as your original tires (if this is the first time you are changing wheels).

You will find this information on the side of your old wheels. They are usually presented as follows: 140/80-18 70 M. These different values represent respectively:

• The width of the wheel in millimeters;
• The ratio between the height of the tire's sidewall and its width;
• The diameter of the tire expressed in inches;
• The load index followed by the speed index (here 70 M).

If for practical reasons you decide to buy tires with dimensions different from those of your original tires, still make sure not to stray too far. Get properly informed in advance to know to what extent the change of dimension will be possible.

The type of terrain you often drive on

For you to fully enjoy each of your next motorcycle outings, your new wheels must necessarily be adapted to the type of terrain you most often ride on. If you use tires not adapted to your favorite terrain, they will wear out quickly and you will be forced to change them very frequently.

Thus, if you evolve a lot on dry terrain, you will need to choose hard rubbers to be able to ride without difficulty. On the other hand, if you mostly travel on wet paths, it is soft rubbers that you will need to choose. These will allow you to have good grip and to control the behavior of your motorcycle well.

There are also mixed tires, not too soft, nor too hard, which adapt very well to all types of terrains. You can use them, regardless of your level of mastery.

Finally, there are also motocross tires specially designed to perform well in mud. If you often drive on muddy circuits, then these are the wheels you should turn to. They are recognized by the MS marking (or M+S) they carry on their side.

If in doubt, do not hesitate to ask for advice from experienced motorcyclists and racing enthusiasts. You can also contact us for more information.

Approval

Motocross and trial are off-road disciplines that are not practiced on roads open to traffic. However, if for one reason or another, you wish to drive your two-wheeler on these roads, then you will need to choose FIM approved equipment. This marking is often found on the side of an enduro tire.

In the absence of FIM approval, you can choose tires that have a DOT number. They are also admitted on roads open to traffic.

How to mount your motocross/trial tires?

There is no need to worry about mounting this type of major brand tire purchased from Tyreleader.ie. In addition to selling tires, to assist you, we provide you with our network of professional partners. More than 100 garages are at your service throughout Ireland. You will only have to choose the professional closest to you so that he can take care of receiving your order, mounting the tires with the right air pressure and balancing. This service is offered to you at the best prices.

What to remember? To choose tires suitable for motocross or trial, it is important that you take into account certain elements such as the dimensions of your original wheels and the type of terrain you often travel. Checking for approval is also important if you occasionally want to drive on roads open to traffic. At Tyreleader.ie, you can make your choice from the catalogs of a recognized manufacturer such as Pirelli. The Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR and Pirelli Scorpion MX Extra X models are perfect examples. Also order according to your needs a tire Dunlop (like the Dunlop Geomax MX51 Medium Terrain), a tire Michelin or Maxxis.