On all tires sold in Thailand you will find a number which says something like this 150/60 ZR17 M/C 66W. The numbers following the tire size is the load rating of the tire: the maximum weight the tire can support in kilograms for the example tire number the load rating is 66, or 300 kilograms.
The letter following the number indicates its maximum speed rating. The W here indicates its certification for up to 270km/h. The 'M/C' in this case point to it being a motorcycle tire, the 'ZR' and 'W' indicate that it has radial construction and is usable beyond 240km/h but less than 270km/h. Of course, these ratings only indicate certification and do not point to direct performance.
Load Rating Table | ||
Load Rating / Load Index | Characteristics | |
33 | up to 115kg | up to 254lbs |
34 | up to 118kg | up to 260lbs |
36 | up to 125kg | up to 276lbs |
37 | up to 128kg | up to 282lbs |
38 | up to 132kg | up to 291lbs |
39 | up to 136kg | up to 300lbs |
40 | up to 140kg | up to 309lbs |
41 | up to 145kg | up to 320lbs |
42 | up to 150kg | up to 331lbs |
43 | up to 155kg | up to 342lbs |
44 | up to 160kg | up to 353lbs |
45 | up to 165kg | up to 364lbs |
46 | up to 170kg | up to 375lbs |
47 | up to 175kg | up to 386lbs |
48 | up to 180kg | up to 397lbs |
49 | up to 185kg | up to 408lbs |
50 | up to 190kg | up to 419lbs |
57 | up to 230kg | up to 507lbs |
66 | up to 300kg | up to 661lbs |
73 | up to 365kg | up to 805lbs |
80 | up to 450kg | up to 992lbs |
84 | up to 500kg | up to 1102lbs |
93 | up to 650kg | up to 1433lbs |
104 | up to 900kg | up to 1984lbs |
Speed Rating Table | ||
Speed Rating |
Characteristics | |
J | up to 100km/h | up to 62mph |
K | up to 109km/h | up to 68mph |
L | up to 120km/h | up to 75mph |
M | up to 130km/h | up to 81mph |
M | up to 140km/h | up to 87mph |
P | up to 150km/h | up to 93mph |
Q | up to 160km/h | up to 99mph |
R | up to 170km/h | up to 106mph |
S | up to 180km/h | up to 112mph |
T | up to 190km/h | up to 118mph |
U | up to 200km/h | up to 124mph |
H | up to 210km/h | up to 130mph |
V | up to 240km/h | up to 149mph |
W | up to 270km/h | up to 168mph |
Y | up to 300km/h | up to 186mph |
VR (Category) | More than 210km/h | |
ZR (Category) | More than 240km/h | |
ZR+W |
More than 240km/h, |
|
ZR+Y | More than 240km/h, but less than 300km/h |
Also important is that you look at the tire manufacturing time-stamp on the side-wall of the tire. A four-digit number is embossed in a separate box in week-number and year format. For example, '3813' would mean the 38th week of 2013. It is advisable to check the time-stamp of the tire before buying one. Tire stocked for more than three to five years, depending on type, should not be used.
Just to make this Motorcycle Tire forum thread complete it's maybe helpful that we also explain the tire specifications.
The tire size description has changed with time. While we sometimes still see/get sizes of 2.75-17, or 3.25-19, which indicate width in inches followed by diameter, most tires now-a-days use a format like 150/60 ZR17 M/C 66W, where the width is 150mm (5.9 inches) with a profile or aspect ratio of 60 percent, and a diameter of 17 inches.
For the meaning of 'ZR', 'M/C', '66' and 'W' look at my earlier post.
I'm a bit confused I have on my motorbike a tire that says 3.00x17 6PR. What does that mean? The P is for 150km/h? And what is the meaning of 6 and R?
Quote by: lizardI'm a bit confused I have on my motorbike a tire that says 3.00x17 6PR. What does that mean? The P is for 150km/h? And what is the meaning of 6 and R?
PR means Cross-Ply Tire. Tires that are constructed with a network of cords, usually made from polyester or steel (called a 'carcass'), with plies of rubber arranged in a diagonal, cross-ply layout at angles of 60 and -60 degrees from the direction of travel, are called cross-ply or 'bias ply' tires.
These are denoted by the 'ply rating', for example, '4PR' or in your case '6PR', following the width-diameter specification. Like in your case '3.00x17 6PR' or in some cases '3.00-17 6PR'.
I want to buy a new set of tyres for my Kawasaki Ninja 650 and I am a bit confused about the speed rating of some tyres. How do I know which tyre is good for my bike?