Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Bridgestone Motorcycle North America: Basic Motorcycle Tire Information
Bridgestone Motorcycle North America: Basic Motorcycle Tire Information
Bridgestone Motorcycle North America: Basic Motorcycle Tire Information
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
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
chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE AND
RIM DIMENSIONS Tire Dimensions
Section Height
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
chapter 1 2 3 4 5
TIRE SIDEWALL Additional Tire Sidewall Information
INFORMATION
Maximum Load and Inflation Pressure
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
070593 120/70ZR17M/C 17 BT020F BW TL E 58W Z 23.7 4.6 5 3.50 520 42 BMW R1150RT 2005
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
• 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