What sort of motorcycle tyres do pros use?

Professional riders use specialist motorcycle tyres that are designed for maximum grip, precision, and performance under extreme conditions.

The type of tyre used depends entirely on the discipline – whether it’s track racing, off-road, touring events, or road racing like the Isle of Man TT.

Track and circuit racing

In professional motorsport – such as MotoGP, World Superbike (WSBK), and national superbike championships – riders use race-specific slick tyres.

They will typically not have a tread pattern and are made from soft rubber compounds that offer maximum contact and grip at high speeds.

These tyres are:

Designed for specific temperature ranges (hence tyre warmers are often used)
Optimised for short life spans – typically just one race or session
Not legal for road use due to their lack of tread and fast wear characteristics

In wet conditions, riders switch to full wet or intermediate tyres that feature tread patterns for water dispersion but are still race-tuned.

Road racing and sport riding

Professional and semi-professional riders participating in events like the Isle of Man TT or road-based racing circuits may use treaded race-approved tyres, which offer a balance between extreme grip and minimal legal tread.

In sport riding and club racing outside of pro circuits, high-performance road-legal tyres such as the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V4, Michelin Power Cup 2, or Bridgestone Battlax Racing R11 are some examples bike sport tyres that are used.

These are close derivatives of race tyres but with enough tread and compound structure to be used safely on public roads (albeit in dry, warm conditions).

Off-road and motocross

For professional motocross, enduro, or rally riders, tyres are designed with aggressive tread blocks and reinforced sidewalls.

These tyres prioritise traction on mud, sand, gravel, and rocks, with brands like Dunlop, Michelin, and Metzeler being widely used.

Tyre choice is typically adjusted for:

Terrain (soft, medium, or hard ground)
Weather conditions
Rider preference for braking or cornering bite