Imagine this: you’re leaning hard into a corner, the asphalt a blur beneath your bike, and then… a sudden loss of grip. That moment of doubt, that heart-stopping slide, is exactly why choosing the right Supermoto tires is so crucial. It’s not just about looking cool; it’s about control, confidence, and ultimately, having an absolute blast on your bike.
Supermoto riding is a unique beast. You’re bouncing between pavement and dirt, leaning like crazy on the street, and then kicking up roost on the track. This means your tires have to work overtime, and picking the wrong ones can turn a thrilling ride into a frustrating or even dangerous one. Do you need something that grips like glue on the road? Or something that can handle a little off-road action? The choices can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to get lost in all the technical jargon.
But don’t worry! This guide is here to cut through the confusion. We’re going to break down exactly what makes a Supermoto tire tick, what to look for, and how to pick the perfect set for your riding style and the surfaces you’ll be tackling. By the end of this post, you’ll have the knowledge to make a confident choice and get back to what really matters: enjoying the ride.
Our Top 5 Supermoto Tires Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Supermoto Tires Detailed Reviews
1. Pirelli Angel ST 120/70ZR17 (58W) Front & 180/55ZR17 (73W) Rear Motorcycle Tires – High-Performance Sport Touring Tire for Enhanced Grip
Rating: 9.2/10
Ready to upgrade your ride? The Pirelli Angel ST 120/70ZR17 (58W) Front & 180/55ZR17 (73W) Rear Motorcycle Tires are designed for sport touring riders who want more from their bike. These tires offer a great blend of performance and longevity, making them a solid choice for your sport or touring motorcycle.
What We Like:
- Great grip on dry and wet roads thanks to its special compound.
- The tread pattern looks cool and helps the tires last longer.
- These tires handle well on all sorts of roads, making every ride smooth.
- They give you a stable and controlled feeling, even on winding paths.
- You get a lot of miles out of these tires; they are built to last.
- Easy-to-see indicators show you how much life is left in the tire.
- The design provides extra safety in different weather conditions.
- They are made specifically for modern sport touring bikes.
What Could Be Improved:
- The front tire size might not fit all bikes without checking.
- They are a bit pricier than some basic touring tires.
These Pirelli Angel ST tires offer a fantastic balance of performance and durability. They are a smart investment for riders seeking enhanced control and confidence on their journeys.
2. Kenda KM1 (KM001) 120/70ZR17 Front (58W) & 180/55ZR17 Rear (73W) Tires for Sport Touring Motorcycles
Rating: 9.2/10
Ready to upgrade your sport-touring motorcycle? The Kenda KM1 (KM001) tire set is here to help! This package includes a 120/70ZR17 front tire (58W) and a 180/55ZR17 rear tire (73W), plus a bonus keychain. These radial tires are built for adventure, offering great stability at high speeds and fantastic grip, even when the weather isn’t perfect. They’re designed to make your rides smoother and safer, no matter where the road takes you.
What We Like:
- Perfect for Sport-Touring: These tires are made for riders who love to tour but also enjoy a sporty ride. They fit many popular motorcycle models.
- Great Stability and Handling: The special design of the tire helps you stay stable when going fast and makes steering easy. This means you can handle different roads and riding styles well.
- Good in All Weather: The new tread pattern helps the tires wear evenly and gives you better grip when it’s wet. This keeps you safer on the road.
- Strong and Long-Lasting: With a 4-ply construction, these tires are tough. They’re built to last and give you a smooth, steady ride every time.
- Performs Well Quickly: The special rubber compound heats up fast, so you get good performance right away. It works reliably from the start of your trip.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the focus is on sport-touring, riders looking for extreme track performance might need a different tire.
- Availability of specific sizes or bundles might vary depending on the region.
Overall, the Kenda KM1 tires offer a fantastic blend of performance and durability for your sport-touring adventures. They promise a confident and enjoyable ride, no matter the conditions.
3. Continental ContiAttack SM 2 120/70R17 Front Supermoto Tire 58H – High-Performance Grip
Rating: 8.7/10
The Continental ContiAttack SM 2 120/70R17 Front Supermoto Tire is built for riders who crave serious performance. This tire offers amazing grip, making your motorcycle feel super stable. It also warms up quickly, so you can hit the road or track with confidence sooner. It’s designed to help you handle tight corners and fast speeds with ease.
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What We Like:
- Fantastic grip thanks to the Black Chili compound. It sticks well, even on wet roads.
- You get great feedback from the tire, especially when leaning into turns. This helps you stay in control.
- The tire is stable during hard braking and acceleration.
- It has a cool racing look and feel.
- The tire lasts longer while still performing great.
- The high-performance nature might mean it’s best suited for spirited riding, not just casual cruising.
- Availability might be limited in some areas.
What Could Be Improved:
Overall, the Continental ContiAttack SM 2 is a top-notch tire for supermoto riders looking for the best grip and control.
4. Pro-line Racing 1/4 Supermoto Tire Front MTD Black Wheel PM-MX/SM PRO1022210 RC Tire
Rating: 8.7/10
Ready to turn your Pro-Moto-MX bike into a super cool Supermoto racer? This Pro-line Racing 1/4 Supermoto Tire Front MTD Black Wheel PM-MX/SM PRO1022210 RC Tire is exactly what you need. It’s designed to give your RC bike a whole new look and feel, making it perfect for street racing fun. Get ready for awesome performance on asphalt!
What We Like:
- Transforms your Pro-Moto-MX bike into a Supermoto machine. This means your bike will look and handle like a real Supermoto bike.
- Semi-slick tread design gives you maximum grip. You’ll have great traction on smooth surfaces, allowing for faster cornering and better control.
- Best suited for asphalt surfaces. These tires are made for the road, so you can enjoy supermoto action on paved areas.
- True-to-scale Supermoto look. Your bike will have an authentic Supermoto appearance, making it stand out.
- Made in the USA. This means you are supporting American manufacturing.
What Could Be Improved:
- Not ideal for off-road use. If you like to ride on dirt or gravel, these tires won’t give you the best grip.
- Availability might be limited. Sometimes popular RC parts can be hard to find.
This Pro-line Racing Supermoto tire is a fantastic upgrade for any Pro-Moto-MX owner looking to embrace the Supermoto style. It’s the perfect way to enhance your RC bike’s performance and appearance on asphalt.
5. Dunlop 45255205 Sportmax Mutant Supermoto Front Tire – 110/70ZR17
Rating: 9.2/10
The Dunlop 45255205 Sportmax Mutant Supermoto Front Tire – 110/70ZR17 is a fantastic tire for riders who want to push their bikes. It’s designed to give you amazing control and performance, whether you’re on the street or hitting some twisty roads. This tire is built with advanced technology to handle all sorts of riding conditions.
What We Like:
- It’s super lightweight, making your bike feel nimble.
- The wide footprint helps you steer smoothly and confidently, even when leaning into turns.
- The tough tread pattern works great in any weather, wet or dry.
- The special rubber on the sides gives you awesome grip for sporty riding.
- The rear tire’s special design means it lasts a long time, perfect for daily rides.
What Could Be Improved:
- The aggressive tread might wear a bit faster on long highway rides compared to touring tires.
- Availability can sometimes be limited depending on your location.
This tire offers a great blend of sporty capability and everyday practicality. It’s a solid choice for riders seeking enhanced control and performance.
Choosing the Best Supermoto Tires: Your Ultimate Guide
Supermoto riding is a blast! It’s a mix of street and dirt, and the right tires make all the difference. This guide will help you pick the perfect set for your supermoto bike.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for supermoto tires, keep these important things in mind:
- Tread Pattern: This is super important. Supermoto tires need to grip both pavement and sometimes loose stuff. Look for tires with a mostly smooth center for street grip. The sides often have small knobs or a more open pattern for when you lean over or hit a dirt patch.
- Tire Compound: This means how hard or soft the rubber is. Softer compounds stick better to the road, giving you more grip for leaning. But, they wear out faster. Harder compounds last longer but don’t grip as well. You need to find a balance that works for how you ride.
- Tire Size: Make sure the tire size matches your bike’s wheels. It’s usually written on the sidewall of your current tires. Using the wrong size can be unsafe.
- Tire Construction: Tires are built differently. Some are “bias-ply,” which are older and cheaper. Others are “radial,” which are more modern and generally offer better performance and handling. Most modern supermoto tires are radial.
2. Important Materials
Supermoto tires are made from a mix of materials that give them their grip and strength.
- Rubber: This is the main ingredient. Different types of rubber are mixed together to create the right balance of grip and wear.
- Silica: Adding silica to the rubber makes it softer and improves grip, especially in wet conditions. This is a common ingredient in performance tires.
- Carbon Black: This makes the rubber stronger and helps it last longer. It also gives tires their black color.
- Reinforcing Fibers: Things like nylon and polyester are used inside the tire to give it shape and strength. This helps the tire handle the forces of riding and cornering.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a supermoto tire great or not so great?
- Grip: The better the grip, the more confident you’ll feel leaning into turns and braking hard. Tires with softer compounds and smart tread patterns offer better grip.
- Durability: How long will the tire last? Softer tires wear out faster. If you ride a lot, you might want a tire with a harder compound in the center for longer life.
- Handling: Good tires help your bike steer smoothly and predictably. A well-designed tire will feel stable even when you’re pushing it.
- Weather Performance: How well does the tire work in rain or on hot asphalt? Tires with silica are often better in wet weather.
- Price: Sometimes, you get what you pay for. Higher-quality tires often cost more but can offer better performance and last longer.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How do people use supermoto tires, and what’s it like?
- Street Riding: Most supermoto riding happens on paved roads. Tires with a mostly slick center and a strong sidewall are great for this. They let you lean the bike way over in corners.
- Occasional Dirt/Gravel: Some supermoto riders like to hit dirt roads or tracks. Tires with a bit more of an aggressive pattern on the sides help with this. They give you a little extra bite in loose stuff.
- Track Days: If you plan to take your supermoto to a track day, you’ll want tires that offer maximum grip on pavement. Look for tires designed for performance, often with softer compounds.
- Commuting: For everyday riding, you might want a tire that balances grip with long life. A medium-hard compound can be a good choice.
Supermoto Tire FAQs
Q: What is the most important thing to consider when buying supermoto tires?
A: The most important thing is to match the tire’s tread pattern and compound to how and where you will be riding your supermoto.
Q: Can I use regular street tires on a supermoto?
A: While you can, it’s not ideal. Supermoto tires are designed for the unique demands of supermoto riding, offering better grip and handling for both pavement and occasional dirt.
Q: How often should I replace my supermoto tires?
A: This depends on how much you ride and the tire compound. Softer tires wear faster. Check for wear indicators on the tire or when the tread depth is low.
Q: Do supermoto tires work well in the rain?
A: Some supermoto tires are better in the rain than others. Tires with more silica in the rubber tend to offer better wet grip.
Q: What does “tire compound” mean?
A: Tire compound refers to how hard or soft the rubber of the tire is. Softer rubber grips better but wears out faster, while harder rubber lasts longer but grips less.
Q: Are radial tires better than bias-ply tires for supermoto?
A: Yes, radial tires are generally better for supermoto. They offer improved performance, handling, and a more comfortable ride compared to bias-ply tires.
Q: Can I mix different brands of tires on my supermoto?
A: It’s generally recommended to use the same brand and model of tire on both the front and rear of your bike for consistent handling and performance.
Q: What is the difference between a front and rear supermoto tire?
A: Front tires are designed for steering and stability, while rear tires are built to handle acceleration and braking forces. They often have different tread patterns and constructions.
Q: How important is tire pressure for supermoto tires?
A: Tire pressure is very important. Correct tire pressure ensures optimal grip, handling, and tire wear. Always check your bike’s manual for the recommended pressures.
Q: Where can I find information about the best supermoto tires for my specific bike?
A: You can check your motorcycle’s owner’s manual, ask experienced supermoto riders, or consult online forums and reviews dedicated to your specific bike model.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
I’m the recipe developer and food photographer behind Air Fryer at Tiffany’s. I’m also a wife, mom to two adventurous little boys, registered nurse, and live in the great Midwest. Join me as I show you new ways to use your air fryer that you never knew possible.