Ever felt that terrifying wobble when you push your bike to the edge? That moment on the track where your tires just don’t seem to grip like you want? Choosing the right motorcycle track tires feels like a massive puzzle. You want maximum speed and confidence, but the sheer number of compounds, profiles, and brand names can make your head spin. It’s frustrating spending good money only to find your new rubber isn’t working with your riding style or the track conditions.
Picking the wrong tire means slower lap times and, worse, less control when you need it most. But what if you could understand the science behind the stickiness? What if you knew exactly which tire would transform your cornering speeds and braking confidence?
This deep dive cuts through the jargon. We will break down everything you need to know about motorcycle track tires, from DOT race tires to full slicks. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to choose the perfect match for your machine and your next track day. Let’s get ready to find your ultimate grip!
Top Motorcycle Track Tires Recommendations
- Sport Touring Compound: The high silica content compound is specifically engineered for sport touring, providing excellent grip on dry surfaces and ensuring maximum safety on wet surfaces and in low temperatures.
- Innovative Tread Design: The unique tread pattern combines high mileage capability with a modern and attractive look, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
- Versatile Performance: Designed with a new front and rear profile, this tire guarantees neutral and uniform performance across various road conditions, making it suitable for different riding styles. Stable and Controlled Ride: Whether you're cruising down the highway or tackling winding roads, the ANGEL ST delivers the stability and control needed for a smooth and enjoyable ride.
- Long-lasting Durability: Engineered for excellent mileage, this tire maintains constant and reliable performance throughout its entire lifespan, ensuring longevity and value. Clear Lifespan Indication: The functional design includes indicators that clearly state the residual lifespan of the tire, allowing riders to stay informed about their tire's condition.
- Enhanced Safety Features: The advanced compound and tread design work together to provide maximum safety in various weather conditions, giving riders confidence in their tire's performance. Optimized for Modern Bikes: Specifically tailored for the latest generation of sport touring bikes, the ANGEL ST meets the demands of contemporary riders with its cutting-edge design and technology.
- 50.6 degree lean angle in the dry and 41.9 degree in the wet, measured on the Michelin test track*
- Rubber compound reaches operating temperature quickly. Incredible cornering grip. Impressive durability for a high-performance tire.
- Designed for high-performance sportbikes. Suitable for street or track use.
- Synthetic rubber mix derived from MotoGP tire technology, formulated to maintain consistent performance even at advanced stages of tire wear
- MotoGP-derived rubber mix. Tread pattern covers less than 12% of the tire surface, for phenomenal cornering adhesion.
- Superior Grip & Handling: The Full Bore M1 120/60/ZR 17 front & 200/55ZR17 rear motorcycle tires delivers exceptional traction and responsive handling, ensuring confident cornering and control for street and sport bike riders in both dry and wet conditions.
- High-Performance Radial Design: Engineered with a Z-rated radial construction, the M1 offers outstanding stability and performance at high speeds, making it ideal for commuting, spirited rides, or weekend adventures.
- Durable & Long-Lasting: Built for longevity without sacrificing performance, the M1’s robust construction provides reliable wear, offering riders a cost-effective solution for high-quality front tire performance.
- Versatile Tread Pattern: Designed for optimal performance in varied conditions, the M1’s tread ensures excellent grip and stability, giving riders confidence on wet or dry roads while maintaining precise handling.
- USA Family Owned Value: Proudly crafted by Full Bore Tires, a USA-based, family-owned company since 2008, the M1 combines premium quality with competitive pricing, delivering top-tier performance for street bike enthusiasts.
- High-Performance Grip: Advanced Black Chili compound ensures maximum grip and optimal traction in both dry and wet conditions.
- Quick Warm-Up: Rapid warm-up technology allows the tire to reach optimal operating temperature quickly for immediate performance.
- Enhanced Stability: Continuous Compound Technology offers consistent performance and improved stability across various lean angles.
- Outstanding Handling: Precise handling and excellent feedback provide confidence and control during aggressive riding.
- Longer Tread Life: Advanced tread design and durable compound extend tire life, making it a cost-effective choice for sport riders.
- Powder Coated Black Steel Motorcycle Wheel Chock; Width: 7" - Fits a Tire up to 7" Wide, Depth at Widest Point - 12",all - 12"
- Fits Motorcycle Front Tires up to 7” Wide (Not ideal for Scooters, or Kids’ Bikes).; Works only with standard raised-floor E-Track/X-Track. Not compatible with recessed or wall-mounted tracks.
- E-Track Motorcycle Chock mounts into your E-Track System that is mounted onto your floor.
- Stabilizes your motorcycle on your trailer.; Made out of strong Steel that is corrosion resistant and black powder coated.
- Note: If parts are missing, contact us for immediate replacement (hardware not included)
- Superior Grip & Handling: The Full Bore M1 120/70/ZR 17 front & 200/50ZR17 rear motorcycle tires delivers exceptional traction and responsive handling, ensuring confident cornering and control for street and sport bike riders in both dry and wet conditions.
- High-Performance Radial Design: Engineered with a Z-rated radial construction, the M1 offers outstanding stability and performance at high speeds, making it ideal for commuting, spirited rides, or weekend adventures.
- Durable & Long-Lasting: Built for longevity without sacrificing performance, the M1’s robust construction provides reliable wear, offering riders a cost-effective solution for high-quality front tire performance.
- Versatile Tread Pattern: Designed for optimal performance in varied conditions, the M1’s tread ensures excellent grip and stability, giving riders confidence on wet or dry roads while maintaining precise handling.
- USA Family Owned Value: Proudly crafted by Full Bore Tires, a USA-based, family-owned company since 2008, the M1 combines premium quality with competitive pricing, delivering top-tier performance for street bike enthusiasts.
- Real Moto GP technology from the tire company that has won 15 consecutive GPWorld Championships.
- 20% softer rubber mix on the edges of the tread yields phenomenal cornering grip.
- Unprecedented lean angles: 51.2 degrees in the dry on Michelin’s test track.
- Real MotoGP technology from the tire company that has won 15 consecutive GP World Championships
- Precise handling and feedback.
- 50.6 degree lean angle in the dry and 41.9 degree in the wet, measured on the Michelin test track*
- Rubber compound reaches operating temperature quickly. Incredible cornering grip. Impressive durability for a high-performance tire.
- Designed for high-performance sportbikes. Suitable for street or track use.
- Synthetic rubber mix derived from MotoGP tire technology, formulated to maintain consistent performance even at advanced stages of tire wear
- MotoGP-derived rubber mix. Tread pattern covers less than 12% of the tire surface, for phenomenal cornering adhesion.
Your Essential Guide to Buying Motorcycle Track Tires
Riding on a racetrack demands the best performance from your machine. Your tires are the only thing connecting you to the asphalt. Choosing the right track tires makes a huge difference in lap times and safety. This guide helps you pick the perfect set.
Key Features to Look For
Track tires are not like your street tires. They have special designs for maximum grip.
1. Compound Hardness (The Stickiness Factor)
- Soft Compounds: These tires grip incredibly well, especially in warmer weather. They heat up fast. The downside? They wear out very quickly.
- Medium Compounds: These offer a great balance. They last longer than soft tires but still provide excellent grip for most track days.
- Hard Compounds: These are best for very hot days or for riders who want their tires to last longer. They need more time and effort to reach optimal temperature.
2. Tread Pattern (Slick vs. Grooved)
Racetracks are dry environments. Therefore, most track tires are either “slicks” or have very minimal grooves.
- Slicks: These are completely smooth. They give the largest contact patch with the road for ultimate dry grip. You must only use slicks in dry conditions.
- DOT Race Tires (Grooved): These tires have shallow grooves. They are street-legal (DOT approved) and are good for track days where you might ride to the track. They offer slightly less ultimate dry grip than slicks but handle light moisture better.
3. Construction and Profile
The internal structure affects how the tire handles high lean angles. Look for tires with strong internal belts that keep the tire shape consistent when you push hard into corners.
Important Materials and Construction
Track tires use special rubber formulas. These materials allow the rubber to get very sticky when hot.
- Silica and Natural Rubber Mixes: Manufacturers blend these ingredients to achieve the specific compound hardness. Better quality tires use higher percentages of premium components for consistent performance.
- Carcass Material: The internal layers (carcass) must be strong. High-quality carcasses resist heat buildup and deformation during heavy braking and acceleration.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a good track tire great? It usually comes down to consistency and heat management.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Heat Cycling Resistance: Premium tires handle repeated heating and cooling cycles without breaking down chemically.
- Consistent Wear Rate: High-quality tires wear predictably, letting you know when they are nearing the end of their life.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Using the Wrong Compound: Using a hard compound on a cool day will result in poor grip because the tire never gets hot enough. This is a common mistake.
- Improper Pressures: Running pressures too high reduces the contact patch; running them too low causes overheating and squirming. Pressure settings hugely impact performance.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the tire dictates your best choice.
- The Beginner Track Rider: You need a durable, medium-compound DOT race tire. These forgive small mistakes and offer enough grip as you learn the lines.
- The Advanced Racer: Racers often use dedicated slicks with very soft compounds. They focus on shaving seconds off lap times and replace tires often.
- The Weekend Warrior: This rider might use a tire that is DOT legal but designed specifically for track use (often called “supersport” or “sportbike” tires). They provide great grip without the extreme cost or rapid wear of pure race slicks.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Motorcycle Track Tires
Q: What is the difference between a DOT tire and a slick?
A: A DOT tire has grooves and is street legal. A slick is completely smooth and is only for the track.
Q: How long do track tires usually last?
A: This varies greatly. Soft race compounds might last only 4 to 6 track days. Harder DOT tires can last 10 or more days, depending on your riding style.
Q: Do I need special warmers for track tires?
A: Pure racing slicks often require tire warmers to get them to the right temperature before you ride. Many modern DOT track tires work well without warmers if you ride aggressively for a few laps.
Q: Can I use old street tires on the track?
A: You can, but performance will be poor and dangerous. Street tires are made of harder rubber that cannot handle the extreme heat of track use.
Q: What temperature should my track tires be?
A: This depends on the specific tire. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendation, but generally, you want the tire surface to be between 180°F and 200°F (82°C and 93°C).
Q: How does track tire pressure change from street pressure?
A: Track pressures are almost always significantly lower than street pressures. Lowering the pressure allows the tire to deform correctly and build heat across a larger surface area.
Q: Are track tires safe in the rain?
A: Slick tires are extremely dangerous in the rain because they cannot channel water away. Grooved DOT race tires offer minimal safety in heavy rain.
Q: What is “tire squirm”?
A: Squirm is when the tire feels unstable or wobbly under acceleration or hard cornering. It often results from running pressures too low or using a compound that is too soft for the conditions.
Q: Which brand makes the best track tire?
A: There is no single best brand. Top brands like Pirelli, Dunlop, and Bridgestone all make excellent track-focused tires. Your choice depends on your bike, your skill level, and your budget.
Q: How do I know when my track tire is worn out?
A: For DOT tires, look for the wear bars. For slicks, look for shiny, polished spots or severe cracking in the rubber surface. Once grip noticeably drops, replace them immediately.