Grip, safety, adrenaline: Choosing motorcycle tires step by step How to inflate tires correctly?
Průvodce výběrem pneu na motorku pro bezpečí a výkon | MEFOJiří Fulín a Vlasta Chalupný
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6.09.2025
How to choose the right motocross tires
When choosing the right tires for a motorcycle, the most important factor is the terrain on which the motorcycle will be ridden. Motorcycle tires are usually sold separately, and each rider chooses their own set of tires according to their preferences. Off-road tires differ in terms of material composition and tread pattern. Tire manufacturers indicate the material composition with a colored stripe. The tread pattern, or lugs, is another distinguishing feature of motorcycle tires. We must not forget the correct tire size. For off-road motorcycle tires, it is not the brand of the motorcycle that matters, but essentially the size of the motorcycle.
Tires by size
Small motorcycles with a displacement of 50 cm3 usually have 12" front tires and 10" rear tires.
Larger motorcycles with a displacement of 65 cm3 have 14" front tires and 12" rear tires.
Motorcycles with a displacement of 85 cm3 are usually built on large wheels, so the front tire is 19" and the rear tire is 16".
Large motocross motorcycles with a displacement of 125 cm3 and above have 21" front tires and 19" rear tires.
Enduro off-road motorcycles need front tires that are the same as motocross tires, i.e., 21", and rear tires that are 18".
Even the smallest riders can use extra-strong inner tubes or MOUSSE, with MOUSSE available from 10" to 21".
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Source: internal database
Stripes on tires
A green stripe indicates a soft compound; other manufacturers may label this compound as "soft."
A blue or yellow stripe indicates a medium compound, i.e., the material is medium.
A red stripe indicates a hard compound.
Off-road tires
Motocross tires are selected according to the surface of the motocross track. If the track is dry and hard as rock, it is good to choose tires with a denser tread pattern and closely spaced spikes, as such tires have better contact with the track surface. Conversely, if the track is sandy, which is not very common in the Czech Republic, tires with a "paddle" tread pattern are used. The ideal motocross track surface is not very common; mud is more common. For both of these surfaces, tires with a very sparse tread pattern are suitable, as they remove mud from the tire surface well.
Off-road motorcycle tires are prone to punctures, and a punctured inner tube means the end of the race or fun. A classic inner tube can be replaced with a thick-walled inner tube, which is not so easy to puncture. Or you can choose a more expensive and maintenance-intensive option, namely MEFO mousse.
How to inflate tires correctly?
For road motorcycles, follow the manufacturer's specifications. Usually, the front tire has a pressure of 2.5 bar and the rear tire 2.9 bar. For off-road tires, whether for motocross or enduro, there is no optimal pressure. It depends on personal preference—some people prefer a pressure of 0.9 bar, others 1.1 bar.
When to put on new tires?
Road motorcycles have a minimum tire tread depth of 1.6 mm, as required by law. There is no minimum tread depth for off-road motorcycles, but the tread must be high enough for the tire to "work" and not slip. Tires on motocross and enduro motorcycles can lose their tread and crack when riding off-road. Once this happens, it is too late to replace them. You can change motocross and enduro tires yourself, but road tires are usually changed by experts at a service center.
Quick repair of motorcycle tires
Motorcycle tires are prone to punctures in the field, and a punctured inner tube means the end of the race or fun, as off-road tires cannot be repaired. A classic inner tube can be replaced with a thick-walled inner tube, which is not so easy to puncture. Or you can choose a more expensive and maintenance-intensive option, namely MEFO mousse. For quick repairs to road motorcycle tires, you can use Tyre Repair.
Tip: Read our blog article MOUSSE, TUBLISS OR CLASSIC INNER TUBE?
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Source: Acerbis manufacturer https://marketing.acerbis.it/gallery/10053-dual-road/10326-shoes/249-x-stradhu-boots
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