By: Anonymous: Jullian ()  Tuesday, 08 March 2016 @ 08:43 AM ICT (Read 989 times)  

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?

By: news (offline)  Tuesday, 08 March 2016 @ 09:26 AM ICT  

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,
but less than 270km/h

 
ZR+Y More than 240km/h,
but less than 300km/h
 

   

news


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By: ThaiDesign (offline)  Tuesday, 08 March 2016 @ 09:37 AM ICT  

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.

Click on image to open

   

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By: news (offline)  Tuesday, 08 March 2016 @ 09:50 AM ICT  

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.

   

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By: Anonymous: lizard ()  Tuesday, 08 March 2016 @ 10:04 AM ICT  

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?

By: news (offline)  Tuesday, 08 March 2016 @ 10:57 AM ICT  

Quote by: lizard

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?



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'.

   

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