10 Best Motorcycle Tires 2026 in the United States

The Pirelli Angel ST tire set is designed mainly for sport touring bikes, offering a solid mix of performance, durability, and safety. These tires come in the common size 120/70ZR17 for the front and 190/50ZR17 for the rear, fitting modern sport touring motorcycles well. Their radial construction delivers better grip and smoother rides compared to bias-ply tires, which suits riders looking for comfort on longer trips. The high silica compound improves traction on dry and wet roads, making them safer in various weather conditions, including cooler temperatures. The directional tread pattern enhances grip and helps with water evacuation, reducing the risk of slipping on wet surfaces.

A notable feature of these tires is their long-lasting design, maintaining good performance over many miles and offering good value for riders who travel extensively. Clear wear indicators allow riders to easily know when it’s time for replacement, adding a practical safety element. The tires support a load capacity of about 330 pounds each and a maximum pressure of 236 psi, suitable for most sport touring motorcycles. The 24-ply rating is relatively high, which may make the tires a bit stiffer than some riders prefer, potentially affecting ride softness.

These tires excel on paved roads with varying conditions but are not intended for off-road use. In summary, the Pirelli Angel ST set is an excellent choice for riders seeking reliable, year-round sport touring tires with good grip, stability, and durability. However, riders looking for softer ride comfort or off-road versatility might want to consider other options.

The MICHELIN Road 6 Rear Tire (180/55ZR-17) is designed for street sport motorcycles, offering a solid combination of performance and durability. This tire features radial construction, generally providing better handling and ride comfort compared to bias-ply tires. Its size and 6-ply rating support a strong load capacity (up to 805 pounds) and fit a 17-inch rim, common for many sport and street bikes. The asymmetrical tread pattern and MICHELIN's Water Evergrip Technology improve wet traction, offering 15% better grip than the previous model, making it a safer choice in rainy conditions. The tire compound uses 100% MICHELIN Silica, which enhances both wet grip and tread life. Riders can expect about 10% longer wear compared to earlier versions, resulting in fewer tire changes over time. The 2CT+ technology improves stability and cornering performance, especially under acceleration or braking, benefiting spirited riders who push their bikes in various conditions.

This tire is primarily positioned as a high-performance street tire rather than for off-road or purely touring use, so it may not suit all riding styles or terrains. While it performs well in wet and dry conditions, very aggressive sport riders might prefer more specialized tires for track use. Price and availability might be considerations for some buyers, but the high customer rating (4.8 out of 5) reflects strong satisfaction within its category. The MICHELIN Road 6 serves as a well-rounded choice for motorcycle riders seeking an all-around sport tire that balances wet grip, longevity, and stability on paved roads.

The Dunlop D404 Rear Motorcycle Tire in size 170/80-15 is designed mainly for older motorcycles and cruisers, making it a solid choice if you have one of these bikes. It uses radial construction, which generally offers better handling, stability, and longer tread life compared to bias-ply tires, especially beneficial for street riding. The symmetrical tread pattern provides balanced grip and predictable performance in various conditions, while the tread compound is tuned to give a good mix of mileage and traction, so you won't need to replace it too often but still get decent road grip.

With a load capacity of 908 pounds and a speed rating of 77H, this tire is suitable for typical cruiser speeds and loads, though it might not be ideal if you plan to push your bike to very high speeds or carry heavy loads regularly. The tire fits a 15-inch rim and the 170 mm width offers a stable footprint without being too bulky. The ply rating of 2 is relatively low, so it may not be as durable under extreme conditions or rough roads compared to tires with higher ply ratings. While the tire is marketed as year-round, extreme weather conditions like heavy snow or ice may still pose challenges. Its black wall design keeps the classic cruiser look intact.

With a strong user rating averaging 4.7 out of 5 from many riders, this tire is trusted for everyday riding and cruiser use. If you want a reliable, comfortable, and well-balanced rear tire for an older cruiser bike, the Dunlop D404 is a good option to consider.