At
Blackcircles.com, we don’t just offer
car tyres at competitive pricing – we also sell
motorcycle tyres for bikers across the UK.
These motorbike tyres are from some of the leading brands globally, ranging from
budget to
premium tyre models.
This article will outline some of the most popular motorcycle tyres according to our customers at Blackcircles.com, highlighting their key features, customer reviews, and the most commonly purchased tyre sizes of each model. We’ve also broken down our recommendations by riding style and budget, so you can find the right tyre whatever you ride.
Best Motorbike Tyres
| Rank | Tyre | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|
| 1 | Michelin Road 6 | All-round sport touring | 100% Silica Technology, 15% more grip than the Road 5 |
| 2 | Bridgestone Battlax S21 | Control and endurance | HTSPC construction for high-speed stability and durability |
| 3 | Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 | Sport touring, wet-weather grip | Silica Rich Compound with V-MS BELT technology |
| 4 | Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 | Hypersport, track-ready handling | 3-layer compound, Mono Spiral Belt construction |
| 5 | Avon Cobra Chrome | Cruisers, customs and touring | Snakeskin tread, 5% more contact area than the original Cobra |
| 6 | Michelin Pilot Power 2CT | Sporty road riding | 2CT Two Compound Technology for durability and cornering grip |
1. Michelin Road 6
Released in 2022, the
Michelin Road 6 stands as a top-tier motorcycle tyre in Michelin’s premium range.
It features an all-new tread design combined with advanced 100% Silica Technology compounds, delivering a 15% improvement in grip compared to its predecessor, the
Road 5.
Thanks to its upgraded rubber compound, the Road 6 also boasts a 10% increase in lifespan over the previous generation. Michelin’s Aramid Shield Technology adds further durability to the tread and supports a smoother, more stable ride.
In keeping with the Road 5’s legacy, this model is equipped with Michelin’s 2CT+ Technology, enhancing cornering stability and overall handling.
Praised by both motorcycling professionals and riders, the
Michelin Road 6 is widely considered a worthy and well-engineered evolution of the acclaimed Road 5.
Road 6 Common Tyre Sizes
Road 6 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Road 6 as follows:
2. Bridgestone Battlax S21
The
Bridgestone Battlax S21 is a premium tyre designed for sharper handling and longer-lasting grip.
Its HTSPC construction features heat-conductive, rubber-insulated steel cords that improve high-speed stability, durability, and shock absorption while reducing blowout risk.
RC Polymer technology enhances tread flexibility and silica distribution, ensuring confident road contact in both warm and cold conditions. This technology also improves rolling resistance and fuel efficiency for maximum fuel economy.
Bridgestone’s NanoPro-Tech further refines the compound structure, reducing friction and heat build-up for better grip and extended mileage.
Praised for its strong all-round performance, the S21 is a trusted choice for riders looking for control, confidence, and endurance.
Battlax S21 Common Tyre Sizes
Battlax S21 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Battlax S21 as follows:
3. Bridgestone Battlax BT-023
The
Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 is a sport touring tyre built for long-lasting performance and confident wet-weather grip.
Its advanced Silica Rich Compound enhances traction in colder temperatures and significantly improves wet handling by increasing silica content compared to previous formulations.
The V-MS BELT technology optimises belt spacing around the tyre’s circumference, ensuring a more consistent road contact patch and improved grip throughout your ride.
Developed with RC Polymer and NanoPro-Tech, the BT-023 achieves the rare balance of extended wear life and strong wet performance by boosting the compatibility between silica and the tyre’s polymer structure.
Well-suited to demanding road conditions, the BT-023 is a reliable choice for touring riders seeking both comfort and control.
Battlax BT-023 Common Tyre Sizes
Battlax BT-023 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Battlax BT-023 as follows:
4. Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22
The
Bridgestone Battlax S22 is a high-performance hypersport tyre built for sharper handling, stability, and track-ready grip.
Its advanced 3-layer compound features a firmer centre and softer shoulders, delivering precise linear control and confident cornering performance.
With Bridgestone’s Mono Spiral Belt construction, the S22 offers enhanced grip, improved high-speed performance, and a lighter overall feel.
NanoPro-Tech™ reduces internal friction and heat build-up, extending tyre life while maintaining consistent performance.
Replacing the S21 in 2019, the Battlax S22 remains a top choice for riders demanding fast, responsive handling and long-lasting hypersport performance.
Battlax Hypersport S22 Common Tyre Sizes
Battlax Hypersport S22 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Battlax Hypersport S22 as follows:
5. Avon Cobra Chrome
The
Avon Cobra Chrome is a premium cruiser and touring tyre designed to combine standout style with dependable performance.
Its distinctive look features a bespoke snakeskin tread pattern and an embossed Cobra head logo, adding visual flair to match its road presence.
Improved compounds and a new construction enhance wet braking performance, delivering shorter stopping distances and greater stability in challenging conditions.
Avon’s updated tread pattern and refined build also provide over 5% more contact area than the original Cobra, offering improved feedback and high-speed stability.
With its bold design and all-around performance, the Cobra Chrome is a top choice for power cruisers, customs, and touring motorcycles.
Cobra Chrome Common Tyre Sizes
Cobra Chrome Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Cobra Chrome as follows:
6. Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
The
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is a sport-focused motorcycle tyre that blends everyday rideability with track-inspired grip.
Featuring Michelin’s pioneering 2CT (Two Compound Technology), it uses a harder central band for durability and softer shoulders for confident cornering performance.
This dual-compound construction offers strong traction in both wet and dry conditions, delivering precise handling and balanced control for spirited road riding.
Still widely trusted since its debut, the Pilot Power 2CT remains a go-to choice for riders seeking lasting performance with sporty agility.
Pilot Power 2CT Common Tyre Sizes
Pilot Power 2CT Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Pilot Power 2CT as follows:
Best Motorcycle Tyres by Riding Style
Not every rider is looking for a sport or touring tyre – here are our top picks for four popular riding styles that fall outside the list above.
Best Adventure & Dual-Sport Tyre: Michelin Anakee Adventure
For riders splitting their time between motorway miles and green lanes, the
Michelin Anakee Adventure is built for roughly 80% road and 20% off-road use.
A dual-compound tread and reinforced casing give confident on-road stability while still offering enough bite for gravel tracks and light off-road sections, making it a strong all-rounder for adventure and dual-sport bikes.
Best Commuter Tyre: Michelin City Grip 2
Daily commuters need predictable grip on wet, greasy urban roads, and the
Michelin City Grip 2 is tuned specifically for that job.
Its tread pattern is optimised for wet braking and manhole-cover-style low-grip surfaces, making it a sensible choice for year-round UK commuting on smaller and mid-sized machines.
Best Scooter Tyre: Pirelli Angel Scooter
Scooters have different geometry and lower typical speeds than motorcycles, so the
Pirelli Angel Scooter is built around those specific demands rather than adapted from a motorcycle tread.
It offers strong wet grip and stability at urban speeds, with a long-wearing compound suited to stop-start city riding and short commutes.
Best Cafe Racer & Retro Tyre: Avon Roadrider AM26
Classic and cafe racer-style bikes such as the Triumph Bonneville and Royal Enfield range suit the
Avon Roadrider AM26, which pairs a period-correct tread pattern with modern compounds.
It delivers dependable wet and dry grip for spirited retro riding while keeping the visual character that cafe racer owners look for.
Best Budget Motorcycle Tyres
If you’re after value rather than outright performance, the Kenda K761 Challenger is a solid entry-level choice, offering dependable grip and a legal, MOT-safe tread at a fraction of the cost of premium models.
Budget tyres typically trade off some mileage and wet-weather grip compared with premium brands like Michelin or Pirelli, so they suit lower-mileage riders, older bikes, or anyone prioritising upfront cost over ultimate performance.
More Leading Motorcycle Tyre Brands
Michelin, Bridgestone, and Avon aren’t the only brands worth considering. Here are our top sport touring picks from four more leading manufacturers.
Pirelli Angel GT II
The
Pirelli Angel GT II is a sport touring tyre built for high mileage without giving up cornering grip.
A dual-compound rear and full-silica front deliver strong wet performance alongside long wear life, making it a popular choice for riders covering serious distance in UK conditions.
Dunlop Roadsmart IV
The
Dunlop Roadsmart IV combines an asymmetric compound layout with a new profile for confident handling across a wide range of conditions.
It’s particularly well regarded for cold-weather warm-up, giving riders grip sooner after setting off – a useful trait for UK riders facing unpredictable mornings.
Metzeler Roadtec 02
The
Metzeler Roadtec 02 is one of the strongest wet-weather performers on the market, using an adaptive tread that responds to rider input and surface temperature.
This makes it a benchmark choice for UK riders who cover serious mileage in the rain, without compromising dry-weather sport performance.
Continental ContiRoadAttack 4
The
Continental ContiRoadAttack 4 is built for sport touring riders who want sharp handling without sacrificing durability on longer trips.
A traction skin coating on the tread surface improves grip from the very first ride, while its dual-compound rear balances mileage with cornering confidence.
Final Thoughts
Understand the market for motorcycle tyres is important for any bike enthusiast – particularly when you’re looking to purchase your next set.
The list of tyres outlined in this article are just a few of the most popular bike tyres we offer according to sales from Blackcircles.com customers, alongside our picks for specific riding styles and budgets.
Whichever category you ride in, we stock a wide range from
Michelin,
Avon,
Bridgestone,
Continental,
Metzeler,
Pirelli, Dunlop, and more leading brands for you to choose from today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which touring tyre offers the best mileage for 2026?
The Bridgestone Battlax T33 is the 2026 mileage champion, offering a claimed 47% increase in wear life over its predecessor without sacrificing wet-weather safety. It employs a new wear-resistant polymer and refined tread stiffness to ensure the profile remains rounded throughout its life.
Which motorcycle tyres offer the best wet-weather grip for UK riders?
The Michelin Road 6 and the newer Metzeler Roadtec 02 remain the benchmarks for UK rain performance. These tyres utilise 100% silica compounds and adaptive tread technology that opens up or stiffens depending on rider input and surface temperature.
Are there specific tyres designed for electric motorcycles in 2026?
While many standard tyres are now "EV-ready," specific models like the Michelin Power 6 are engineered to handle the instant torque delivery of electric motors. They feature reinforced carcasses to prevent premature squaring off caused by high-torque acceleration.
Should I fit different tyres on the front and rear?
Modern ranges from Michelin, Bridgestone, and Pirelli are engineered as matched pairs, with front and rear compounds tuned to work together for balanced handling. Mixing brands or models across an axle can upset that balance and reduce stability under braking, so always fit a matched pair from the same tyre family.
Are there dedicated winter or all-season motorcycle tyres for the UK?
Most UK riders use their 100% silica sport touring tyres, such as the Michelin Road 6 or Continental ContiRoadAttack 4, year-round, since these compounds stay flexible in cold, wet conditions. Dedicated winter motorcycle tyres are rare in the UK market, so cold-weather grip is judged largely on silica content.
Are budget motorcycle tyres safe, and will they pass an MOT?
Budget tyres from brands such as Kenda will pass an MOT provided tread depth and condition meet the legal minimum. They typically offer shorter mileage and reduced wet grip compared with premium models like the Michelin Road 6 or Pirelli Angel GT II, but remain a legal, cost-effective option.
Which tyre is best for 80/20 road and green-lane adventure riding?
The Michelin Anakee Adventure is built for adventure and dual-sport bikes doing mostly road miles with occasional green lanes or gravel tracks. Its dual-compound tread and reinforced casing balance on-road stability with enough bite for light off-road use, making it a strong 80/20 choice for UK riders.
What's the best motorcycle tyre for UK track days?
The Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 is a strong road-legal choice for UK track days on bikes like the Yamaha R1, offering a firm centre for stability and softer shoulders for cornering grip. For frequent track use, a dedicated track compound will outlast the S22 but sacrifices road comfort.
Which tyres suit daily commuting and scooter riders?
The Michelin City Grip 2 is designed for daily commuting, with a wet-weather focused tread that performs well on urban roads in typical UK rain. Scooter riders are better served by the Pirelli Angel Scooter, which is built specifically around scooter geometry and lower typical speeds.
How often should motorcycle tyres be replaced?
Most motorcycle tyres should be replaced every 3,000–5,000 miles, or sooner if tread depth nears the UK legal minimum of 1mm, cracks appear in the sidewall, or the tyre is over five years old regardless of remaining tread, as rubber compounds harden and lose grip over time.
