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When it comes to riding motorcycles there is little room for error for you as a rider: you have two tires and the magic of physics keeping you upright.
Even if one tire fails, you are in a lot of trouble.
So, it all boils down to the bike’s tires.
If the tires are providing optimal grip, you have nothing to worry about.
That’s why you need rain tires for riding in adverse conditions when the grip is at a minimum.
Rain tires have an intricate tread pattern to dissipate water from the road’s surface.
When the water comes in contact with the rubber, the pattern helps to throw it away to the side, which removes any barrier between the road and the tire.
The result, is better traction, even when the road is slippery.
If the water barrier between the tire and the road is not broken, you can experience something called hydroplaning.
This phenomenon causes the tire to lose grip with the surface of the road and in turn, you lose control of your bike. Such an incident can made braking and turning difficult and result in a crash.
You need are a set of good all-weather tires or a set of dedicated wet weather tires.
But there are so many tires in the market that it can be confusing to choose one. We’ve picked some of the best options so you can easily make your decision.
Top 5 Rain Tires
Michelin Commander II
Michelin is no stranger to making tires and neither are there any doubts about their product quality.
The company has been in the business for decades, so they must be doing something right.
But most people know them for making car tires. Interestingly, Michelin makes excellent motorcycle tires too
The Michelin Commander II is the perfect example that proves the brand’s position in the market.
The Commander II are amazing all-weather tires, but they stand out for excellent wet weather performance.
The tire has a longitudinal tread pattern that disperses water efficiently, and you get a phenomenal grip.
The tire also comes in various sizes so you can fit it on almost every street motorbike.
Kenda Kruz K673
Kenda makes good quality tires and sells them at a reasonable price.
Hence, their popularity and their status as respectable tire manufacturers in the market.
If you want one of their best products for wet weather conditions, then look no further than the Kenda Kruz K673.
This tire is made of multi-compound rubber for less wear and tear.
But most importantly, it has an intricate tread pattern for better grip in wet conditions.
The triangular shapes trap water and release it almost immediately. The result is that you won’t experience hydroplaning or loss in traction.
Shinko 777
The heavy-duty reinforced Shinko 777 tire is one of the best ones in the market.
The tire is built with the highest-quality compounds, resulting in unmatched on-road performance.
The unique grooves on the Shinko 777 disseminate water in all directions quite efficiently.
The mix of longitudinal and lateral tread patterns makes it easy for the water to move out of the way.
Furthermore, there is less wear and tear on this tire, making it perfectly fine for dry weather usage as well.
These tires fit well on a cruiser motorcycle but you can find versions that are suitable for other bikes too..
Continental Road Attack 3
The Continental Road Attack 3 motorcycle tire does exactly what it is meant to do.
It attacks the road with force and provides unparalleled grip and traction.
You can never go wrong with Continental and their Road Attack series.
The tire is made for high-performance motorcycles and all-weather conditions.
However, the tire works extremely well in rainy conditions.
That’s all thanks to the slanted grooves mixed with the slightly horizontal tread. The combination makes it easy for the water to move out of the way.
So, you can go fast and brake easily in wet conditions with confidence.
Pirelli Angel GT 2
Pirelli motorcycle tires are some of the best in the market.
Their Angel GT series is a unique product as well. That’s because these all-weather tires work well in wet conditions.
Usually, such tires have average performance across different conditions.
These specific tires have silica content and very aggressive grooves to provide amazing straight-line speed. But the tire is equally better in cornering, and there is no doubt of wet weather performance.
The silica content and aggressive tread pattern of the Pirelli Angel GT II means that both straight-line and cornering performance isn’t compromised.
Rain Tire Buying Tips
There are a few things you should look at before buying tires for your motorcycle, especially if they’re for rainy weather.
That’s because wet conditions require a tire that has a good grip even when the road is slippery.
But they should also not have too much wear when riding in dry conditions.
Price
The first thing you have to look at is the price.
That is usually the biggest consideration when buying a tire.
You need to specify your budget and weigh all the options available in the market.
Only after making a proper comparison can you make an informed decision.
Materials Used
The second thing is the kind of materials used in making the tire.
You need to look for multi-compound tires so that they work well in a wide variety of conditions.
If you choose a cheap tire that’s made up of low-quality materials, chances are that the wear and tear will be quicker.
Cheap tires will not last long.
Tread Pattern
For a tire to work well in the rain, the grooves should be crafted in a specific way.
The pattern should be such that the water moves out of the way without an issue.
Therefore, look for something that has an aggressive tread pattern, but not too much that there is extra traction.
You should find a balance between too many grooves and too little of them if you want speed as well as grip.
