Bias-ply and radial tires bring different benefits to motorcycles.
Whether modifying a purchased motorcycle or building a custom bike, tire choice can greatly affect road performance and handling. Bias-ply and radial are two tire choices that have dramatically different results.
Radial Tires
Radial tires consist of fibers set perpendicular to the rotation or tread direction. Radial tires also have less parts than bias-ply tires, reducing weight and increasing grip potential. An increase in flexibility over other tire types reduces effects from road problems.
Bias-Ply Tires
Older model motorcycles often are fitted with bias-ply tires. Bias-ply fibers are woven in an X pattern, and have less flexibility and mileage than radial tires.
Changing Tires
With the invention of radial tires, motorcycle structure slowly changed to compensate better for the new tires. Because of this, some older motorcycles will not accept radial tires or will perform worse. Radial and bias-ply tires should not be mixed on the same motorcycle. Each tire type handles rotation and forces differently, and potentially could be dangerous when turning.
Tags: bias-ply tires, Bias-ply radial, have less, radial tires
