Pirelli Tyres for Motorcycles: How to Choose the Right Tyre
Pirelli makes motorcycle tyres for everything from everyday road riding to touring, adventure, sports riding and track-focused performance. The trick is choosing the tyre that actually suits your bike and the way you ride.
Don't choose the tyre. Choose what you need it to do.
The right Pirelli motorcycle tyre depends on more than your tyre size. Think about your motorcycle, how you ride, where you ride and what matters most to you — handling, grip, mileage, wet-weather performance or a balance of everything.
Which Pirelli tyre suits your riding?
Start with the correct tyre specification for your motorcycle. From there, think about how the bike is actually used. A daily commuter, weekend sports bike and long-distance tourer don't necessarily need the same things from their tyres.
Your Bike
Start with the correct tyre size, load rating and speed rating for your motorcycle.
Your Riding
Road, touring, sports, adventure and track riding all place different demands on a motorcycle tyre.
Your Priorities
Think about what matters most: grip, handling, mileage, stability, wet performance or a balance of them.
Your Roads
Commuting through Perth isn't the same as weekend riding through the hills or heading away on a long trip.
Start With Your Bike
Before comparing different Pirelli motorcycle tyres, start with the specifications your motorcycle actually requires.
Tyre size, load rating and speed rating all matter. Motorcycles are designed around particular tyre specifications, and changing them without understanding the effect can alter how the bike handles.
Check your motorcycle owner's manual or the manufacturer's recommendations for the correct front and rear tyre specifications.
If you're not sure which Pirelli tyre fits your motorcycle, don't choose based on looks or tyre name alone. Start with the correct fitment, then narrow down the options from there.
PIRELLI / DIABLO ROSSO IV
What Kind of Rider Are You?
Be realistic about how you use your motorcycle. The best tyre for the riding you actually do can be very different from the tyre you'd choose for the riding you imagine doing.
Daily Rider
If you're regularly commuting, predictable handling, mileage and wet-weather performance may matter more than outright performance.
Weekend Rider
If the bike mainly comes out for weekend rides, you may put more emphasis on responsive handling and confidence through corners.
Touring Rider
Long-distance riders may prioritise stability, comfort and tyre life when covering plenty of kilometres.
Performance Rider
Sports and performance riders may want a tyre designed with sharper handling, cornering and higher-performance riding in mind.
Sportier Doesn't
Always Mean Better.
Pirelli is well known for its performance motorcycle tyres, so it's easy to be drawn towards the sportiest option.
But if most of your riding is commuting or long-distance road use, a highly performance-focused tyre may not necessarily match what you need from your motorcycle every day.
Think about the full picture: how often you ride, how many kilometres you cover, the roads you ride and what you expect from the bike.
Which Pirelli Motorcycle Tyre Is Right for You?
Pirelli makes tyres for very different types of motorcycles and riding. Here's a quick comparison of four popular options to help you understand where each one fits.
| PIRELLI MODEL | BEST FOR | RIDING STYLE | MAIN FOCUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIABLO ROSSO™ IV | Sport & Naked Bikes | Sporty Road Riding | Grip, Handling & Road Performance |
| ANGEL™ GT II | Sport Touring | Commuting & Long Rides | Mileage, Comfort & Road Performance |
| SCORPION™ TRAIL III | Adventure Bikes | Road & Adventure Touring | Versatility, Stability & Road Performance |
| DIABLO™ SUPERCORSA SP V4 | Supersport Bikes | Performance Road & Track | High-Performance Grip & Sporty Handling |
Remember: the right tyre still needs to be available in the correct size and specification for your motorcycle.
PIRELLI / MOTORCYCLE TYRES
Grip, Mileage or Both?
Motorcycle tyre choice is often about finding the right balance rather than chasing one single feature.
A rider covering plenty of kilometres may place more value on tyre life and stability, while someone riding a sports bike on weekends may care more about responsive handling and cornering feel.
Wet-weather performance matters too. Even in Perth, where plenty of riding happens in dry conditions, rain can quickly change the amount of grip available on the road.
There isn't one answer that works for everyone. The better question is: what balance makes sense for your motorcycle and your riding?
What PSI Should Your Motorcycle Tyres Be?
PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is commonly used to measure motorcycle tyre pressure. It might sound like a small detail, but tyre pressure can make a noticeable difference to how your bike feels.
There isn't one PSI that works for every Pirelli motorcycle tyre. For normal road riding, start with the tyre pressures recommended by your motorcycle manufacturer.
You'll normally find the recommended front and rear pressures in your owner's manual or on a label fitted to the motorcycle. Front and rear pressures may be different, and the recommended pressure can also vary depending on load, luggage or whether you're carrying a passenger.
Don't automatically use a pressure shown on the tyre sidewall as your everyday target pressure. For normal road use, the motorcycle manufacturer's recommendation is the important starting point.
PSI — THE BASICS
- Check your motorcycle manufacturer's recommended PSI
- Front and rear tyre pressures may be different
- Check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold
- Use a reliable tyre pressure gauge
- Check pressures regularly, not just when a tyre looks low
- Consider luggage, extra load and two-up riding
A Few PSI
Can Matter.
Incorrect pressure can affect handling, steering feel, stability and the way your tyres wear.
That's why checking tyre pressure shouldn't only happen when a tyre looks flat. Grab a reliable pressure gauge and make it part of your regular bike checks.
Track riding is different. Some performance tyres can have tyre-specific pressure recommendations for circuit use, so check the tyre manufacturer's guidance rather than applying a road PSI figure to every situation.
Don't Forget Tyre Condition
Correct PSI is only part of looking after your motorcycle tyres. Tread, wear, damage and overall tyre condition matter too.
Get into the habit of giving your tyres a quick look before riding, particularly before longer trips.
QUICK TYRE CHECK
- Check front and rear tyre pressure
- Check tread depth
- Look for uneven or unusual wear
- Check for cuts, cracks or visible damage
- Look for nails or other embedded objects
- Check the general age and condition of the tyres
Looking for Pirelli Motorcycle Tyres in Perth?
If you're replacing your motorcycle tyres, having a few basic details ready makes finding the right option much easier.
Start with your motorcycle details, current tyre sizes and the kind of riding you normally do.
HAVE THESE DETAILS READY
- Motorcycle make
- Motorcycle model
- Model year
- Front tyre size
- Rear tyre size
- How you normally use the motorcycle
- Solo or two-up riding
The Right Tyre
Changes the Feel.
Handling, braking, stability and confidence through corners are all connected to those two relatively small contact patches between your motorcycle and the road.
That's why choosing motorcycle tyres shouldn't simply come down to buying the sportiest tyre or the cheapest tyre.
Start with the right fitment, then match the tyre to your bike, your roads and the way you actually ride.
Four things to get right.
Correct Fitment
Make sure the tyre size and specification are suitable for your motorcycle.
Riding Style
Match the tyre to the type of riding you actually do most often.
Correct PSI
Check pressures regularly using your motorcycle manufacturer's recommendations.
Tyre Condition
Keep an eye on tread, wear, damage and the overall condition of both tyres.
MATCH THE TYRE TO THE RIDE.
Pirelli offers motorcycle tyres for a wide range of riding styles, from everyday road use and touring to adventure and performance riding.
Start with the correct specifications for your motorcycle, then think about how you actually ride. Grip, handling, mileage, road conditions, tyre pressure and tyre life all deserve a place in the decision.
The right tyre isn't necessarily the most aggressive option. It's the one that makes sense for your bike and the riding you do.
BOOK YOUR TYRE CHANGE.
Book your motorcycle tyre change with our experienced workshop team.