Tire Shopping FAQ

You probably have a lot of questions about which tires to buy for your ride. Street bikes, cruisers, dirt bikes, dual-sport - all these different kinds of motorcycles require different kinds of tires depending on how and where they’re going to be ridden. There’s also the question of whether to buy new tires or save a little money buying used. At Boston Harley-Davidson in Revere, MA, we’ve put together this little FAQ to help you understand what you need to know to be sure you’re getting the right tire for your bike. We happily serve customers in Boston and Malden.

When Should I Replace My Tires?

You should check your bike’s tires regularly to check that they’re in good condition. Is there plenty of tread left? Is the sidewall solid, no bulges or cracks? Low tread level or other tire damage can lead to blowouts while riding, which can really put you in a world of hurt. Also, if your tires have a slow leak that you can’t readily diagnose, you need to take your bike in to a dealership to see if you’ve hit a nail or other debris that might have punctured a small hole in your tire. This kind of damage can also reduce the longevity of your tires, which might be a sign it’s time for new ones. 

Should I Buy Used or New?

You may be able to find a good bargain if you look at the used tire market, but you’re going to be sacrificing longevity and reliability, and risking unknown problems in the future. With a used tire, you just never know how it’s been used by the previous owner. If they didn’t take good care of it, then the life of the tire will be severely compromised. You’ll end up spending more money on tires buying used tires more frequently. It’s better to buy a good set of new tires that’ll last you a long while. 

What Kind of Tires Do I Need For My Bike?

Well, that clearly depends on what kind of bike you have. For example…

Street Bikes, Cruisers, and Touring Bikes

Street bikes need smooth tires with tread patterns designed for traction on road surfaces. If you’re in an area that gets a lot of rain, make sure your bike’s tires have good rain channels - these are specially designed grooves in the tire that help move rain off the tire to improve traction and control on wet surfaces. If you’re in an area with snow or ice, get tires with more traction, or even a dual-sport tire, which will help you grip if you get into icy conditions. For cruisers and touring bikes, look for durable tires designed to maximize traction and control on highways.

Dual-Sport

If you’re looking to go off road, but not all the time, then you’re probably riding a dual-sport bike. Dual-sports require tires with enough grip and traction to handle mud, dirt, and sandy conditions, but comfortable enough to be used on the road. The nice thing about dual-sport motorcycles is that you can find tires that are more street-focused or more off road-focused, depending on how often you plan to head out into the great unknown. 

Off-road

If you’re at home in the mud, dirt, and sand, then you’re riding an off-road bike. In this case, you’ll need a set of tires that are designed to dig into whatever surface you’re riding on. If you’re a motocross rider, you can find specialty tires that are designed to help you reach the podium first. If you’re an enduro rider, carving the rough backroads, forests, and muddy hills, then you need a durable, tough tire that can tackle the challenges you set for yourself. 

We hope this FAQ has helped you to understand more about what kind of tires you might need for your bike. If you’ve got other questions, or you’re in the market for new tires for your ride, then please come see us at Boston Harley-Davidson. Our friendly and experienced sales team will be happy to answer your questions and get you exactly what you need. We look forward to seeing you!