Borracha Macia ou Dura? Como escolher o pneu certo e não deitar dinheiro à rua

Soft or Hard Rubber? How to choose the right tire and avoid wasting money.

You arrive at the garage and the mechanic asks the fateful question: "Which tires do you want to mount?" You look at the wall full of options. Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop, Bridgestone... Some cost €120, others cost €250. Some have "racing" treads, others look like tractor tires.

Choosing the wrong tire is the most expensive mistake you can make. If you put a racing tire on a daily rider motorcycle, you'll be throwing money away (it will become "square" in 2,000 km). If you put a touring tire on for cornering at the limit on Sunday, you might get a shock due to lack of grip.

a man working on a tire in a garage

To avoid failing, you only have to answer 3 questions. Forget about brand marketing and focus on this:

1. "Where do I spend 80% of my time?"

Be honest with yourself. We all like to think we're MotoGP riders, but the reality is different.

  • The City/Commuter: Do you go to work every day, rain or shine? You need a Sport-Touring tire. They warm up quickly (essential for short trips), drain a lot of water, and last a long time.

  • The Weekend Warrior: Does your motorcycle only go out on Sundays to ride winding mountain roads in the sun? You need a Hypersport tire. The rubber is soft ("chewing gum"), grips very well, but doesn't last long and is terrible in the rain.

  • The Traveler: Do you hitchhike and carry passengers and luggage? You need a Touring/GT tire. They have reinforced casings to support the weight without deforming and last 10,000 to 15,000 km.

2. The Dilemma: Soft vs. Hard (The Magic of the Bi-Compound)

In the old days you had to choose: either it gripped too much and wore out quickly (soft), or it lasted a long time and slipped (hard). Today, technology has saved us with Bi-Compound .

Most good modern tires use this technology:

  • In the Center: The rubber is hard and durable, so you can handle straightaways and highways without the tire becoming "square".

  • On the sides: The rubber is soft, to give you extra grip when leaning into corners. Our advice: Unless you have a classic or low-displacement motorcycle, always opt for dual-compound tires. It's the best of both worlds.

3. The Project's Age

New tires (released this year) are expensive. Tires with designs from 5 years ago are cheaper. Is it worth paying for the "top of the line"?

  • Yes, if you ride in the rain. Water drainage technology evolves every year. A Michelin Road 6 tire is infinitely safer in the rain than a Road 2.

  • No, if you only ride on dry roads. An older generation sport tire (e.g., Bridgestone S21 instead of S22 or S23) is still excellent and you save 30% or 40% on the price.

Beware of the "Wax" (The Danger of the First 50km)

Just fitted new tires? Be careful! Tires come from the factory with a release agent (like wax/paraffin) that makes them shiny and slippery. For the first 50 to 100 km, you ride as if it were raining. Gradually lean the motorcycle to "sand off" this wax. Don't enter the first roundabout too fast or you'll fall with new tires.

Pro Tip: Confidence on the Ground, Certainty on the Path

Choosing the right tire gives you physical confidence . You know the bike will grip when you brake or turn.

But there is another vital type of confidence: mental confidence . Knowing exactly where you are going, which exit to take at the roundabout, and where the traffic is, without hesitation.

Many accidents happen not because of tire failure, but because of driver indecision, such as braking suddenly because they were about to miss an exit or were distracted by their cell phone.

Motoplay is the perfect complement to your new tires. Tires grip the road; Motoplay guides you through it. With clear maps, hazard alerts, and easy controls, you maintain the smooth driving your tires will thank you for.

Already got new rubber? Now add new technology.

👉 [Complete your motorcycle upgrade with Motoplay here]

Back to blog