Finding the right 140/70R17 motorcycle tire depends on your riding style, weather conditions, and bike type. This guide highlights five well-rounded options chosen for sport-touring, street performance, and everyday commuting. Each product section explains who benefits most, why it’s a solid pick, and any limitations to consider. Use the buying guide and FAQ to compare essentials like tread design, speed rating, and compatibility across common 140/70-17 sizes.
| Product | Best For | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Kenda KM1 (KM001) 140/70R17 | Sport-touring riders | Optimized apex geometry for speed stability and versatile handling |
| MMG CY185 140/70-17 | All-weather street riding | Street performance tread with tubeless design |
| IRC RX-01 Road Winner 140/70-17 | Varied conditions | Aggressive tread with stronger casing for stability |
| Dunlop GPR-300 SPMX 140/70R17 | Sport riders and cornering | Jointless Band belt design for smooth contact patch |
| Pirelli Sport Demon 140/70-17 | Sport-touring emphasis | Front-tailored profile and excellent water evacuation |
Kenda KM1 (KM001) 140/70R17 Rear Tire
The Kenda KM1 is designed for sport-touring motorcycles, offering a balance of performance, durability, and versatility. This radial tire emphasizes high-speed stability and agile handling, helping riders who frequently switch between highway cruising and twisty backroads. The newly designed tread promotes even wear and improved grip in challenging weather, contributing to a safer and more consistent ride.
Best for: Sport-touring riders seeking stable high-speed performance and reliable wet grip. Caution: Availability may vary by model year and bike compatibility; verify fitment with your machine’s OEM measurements.
140/70-17 Tubeless Tire by HAKSNGCL
This tubeless tire fits a broad range of 140/70-17 applications and uses high-quality rubber designed to resist mineral acids and abrasion. It emphasizes traction with a tread pattern that boosts friction and reduces skidding, aiming to improve overall stability in everyday riding.
Best for: Daily riders who value longevity and steady traction. Caution: Material claims are broad; confirm exact load and speed ratings for your specific bike and riding conditions.
MMG CY185 140/70-17 Tubeless Tire
The MMG CY185 is a rear, tubeless tire marketed for street performance. Its all-weather reliability comes from a distinctive tread pattern designed to maintain grip across varying road conditions. The 17-inch rim size aligns with many sport and naked bikes.
Best for: Riders prioritizing predictable handling in diverse weather. Caution: Specific load index and speed rating should be matched to rider weight and riding style.
Kenda Cruiser K671 Rear Tire 140/70-17
The K671 Cruiser offers an aggressive tread design optimized for wet and dry traction on smaller sport-touring bikes. As a cruiser-oriented option, it is suited for riders who value a broader contact patch and confident grip in mixed conditions.
Best for: Smaller sport-touring and cruiser setups that require dependable traction. Caution: Cruisers may benefit from matching the tire’s load rating to their weight and load conditions.
IRC RX-01 Road Winner Rear Tire
IRC RX-01 Road Winner is designed to provide high performance across varied road conditions with an aggressive tread and stronger casing for stability. The tire aims to deliver confident handling and consistent contact with the road surface.
Best for: Riders who encounter mixed climates or prefer a more aggressive tread pattern. Caution: Ensure compatibility with your bike’s rear suspension and clearance when replacing tires.
Dunlop GPR-300 SPMX 140/70R17
The Dunlop GPR-300 SPMX adopts a jointless belt design and a balanced tread profile for smooth performance and a stable contact patch. It’s positioned to balance grip in wet and dry conditions with responsive cornering behavior.
Best for: Sport riders seeking predictable, attentive performance in corners. Caution: Some riders may prefer a tire with a more aggressive wet-weather pattern for intense rain riding.
Pirelli Sport Demon 140/70-17
The Pirelli Sport Demon emphasizes a front-tailored profile and centralized water evacuation channels to improve handling and braking confidence on wet roads. It’s designed to deliver sport-touring performance with reliable feel across road surfaces.
Best for: Riders seeking improved rain performance and precise steering. Caution: Front-specific design considerations may require careful pairing with a compatible rear tire for balanced handling.
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations
- Riding style: Choose tires tuned for sport, sport-touring, or daily commuting to maximize grip and stability where you ride most.
- Tread design and weather performance: Consider tread patterns that balance water evacuation with a solid contact patch for your climate zones.
- Speed rating and load index: Ensure compatibility with your bike’s weight and intended speeds; mismatched ratings can affect handling and safety.
- Bike compatibility: Confirm that the 140/70-17 size fits your model’s rear wheel and that clearance to swingarms and exhausts is adequate.
- Maintenance and rotation: Some tires favor even wear across the contact patch; plan on regular inspection and rotation where applicable.
FAQ
- What does 140/70-17 mean? It describes the tire width (140 mm), aspect ratio (70% of the width), and wheel diameter (17 inches).
- Is a tubeless 140/70-17 tire compatible with most sport bikes? Most modern sport and naked bikes accept tubeless 140/70-17 tires, but always verify exact model fitment from the manufacturer.
- Which tire is best for wet conditions? Tires with optimized tread patterns and better water evacuation, like the Pirelli Sport Demon or Kenda KM1, tend to perform well in rain.
- Should I prioritize speed rating over wear life? It depends on riding style; sport-focused riders may favor higher speed ratings for stability at speed, while daily riders may value longer wear life.
- How do I know if a tire is the right fit for my bike? Check your owner’s manual or a trusted retailer for exact tire size, load index, and speed rating recommendations for your model.