How Do Motorcycle Tires Get Sized?
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The Basics of Motorcycle Tire Sizing
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How do motorcycle tires get sized so they fit on the rims properly? There are three basic methods which are used. The most common is the metric system (130/90 - 16). There is also the alphanumeric system (MT 90-16) and the Inch system (4.50/5/16), which is similar to the method used for American automobile tire sizing. The alphanumeric system is usually assigned to low-profile motorcycle tire sizing.
Lettering
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When motorcycle tires get sized, there is most often a letter placed between the numbers and dash. One of these letters--S, H or V--will be used to describe the range of speed the tire can handle. An S tire can reach up to 112 mph; an H tire can reach 130 mph. The V tire can achieve speeds up to 150 mph.
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The Width
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When figuring how motorcycle tires get sized, you need to look at the entire set of markings in pieces. Using an example of 130/S/90 - 16, the 130 tells you the width of the tire in milimeters. This measurement is found by using a straight line through the tire from edge to edge of the tire tread.
The Height
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Again using 130/S/90 - 16 as an example, the number to the right of the slash--90--is what represents the ratio between the height of the tire in relation to the width of the tire. When motorcycle tires get sized, using a higher number represents taller tires with regard to how wide the tire is. In this example, the tire is 90 percent as tall as it is wide.
The Rim
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The final part of how a motorcycle tire gets sized is the last number--in this example, the 16. This number represents the rim of the tire and is usually measured in inches--meaning that for this motorcycle tire to be sized properly, you would need a 16-inch rim.
Converting to the Alphanumeric System
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When sizing motorcycle tires using older rims or methods, you will need to convert to the alphanumeric system of sizing a motorcycle tire. The sizing 130/S/90 - 16 is converted to MT90 16 in the older system. The M means the tire is designed for motorcycle use and sizing. The T is the tire width code, and 90 represents the ratio, 16 the rim measurement. Motorcycle tires using alphanumeric sizing are most likely under MV85, which is smaller than 155mm. Most newer tires are larger than this and therefore use the Inch system or metric system.
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