Are motorbike tyres tubeless?
Many modern motorbike tyres are tubeless, but not all. Whether a motorcycle tyre is tubeless or uses an inner tube depends on the type of wheel, the motorcycle’s design, and the intended use of the bike.
Tubeless tyres
- Common on most modern road motorcycles with cast alloy wheels.
- The wheel rim is designed to form an airtight seal with the tyre bead, eliminating the need for an inner tube.
- Advantages include easier puncture repairs, slower air loss in the event of a puncture, and reduced heat build-up at high speeds.
Tubed tyres
- Still widely used on motorcycles with spoked wheels, especially on off-road, motocross, and adventure bikes. This is because traditional spoked rims are not airtight without a tube.
- An inner tube sits inside the tyre to hold the air, and puncture repairs typically require removing both the tyre and tube.
- Tubed tyres can be more susceptible to sudden deflation if punctured.
How to tell if your tyre is tubeless
Look for the marking “TL” (tubeless) or “TT” (tube type) on the tyre sidewall. Your motorcycle owner’s manual will also specify the correct tyre type for your wheels.
