Motorcycle Tire Speed Ratings, Load Ratings and Tire Size Designations
Front Tire Size Conversions |
Rear Tire Size Conversions |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metric | Alpha | Inch | Metric | Alpha | Inch | |
| 80/90 | MH90 | 2.50/2.75 | 110/90 | MP85 | 4.00/4.75 | |
| 90/90 | MJ90 | 2.75/3.00 | 120/90 | MR90 | 4.50/4.75 | |
| 100/90 | MM90 | 3.25/3.50 | 130/80 | 5.00/5.10 | ||
| 120/80 | 4.25/4.50 | 140/80 | 5.50/6.00 | |||
| 120/90 | MR90 | 4.25/4.50 | 140/90 | MU90 | 5.50/6.00 | |
| 130/90 | MT90 | 5.00/5.10 | 150/80 | MV85 | 6.00/6.25 | |
| 150/90 | MV85 | 6.00/6.25 | ||||
NOTE: ALWAYS use the exact tire size, type, speed and load rating recommended by the manufacturer of your motorcycle. Never try to second-guess the designers and engineers with regards to tire size, type, speed or load rating! Use the information on this page for general reference only and not for choosing motorcycle tires.
Tire Speed Rating Chart (New Style Speed and Load Index) |
|
|---|---|
| Speed Rating | Max. Design Speed (MPH) |
| J | 62 |
| K | 68 |
| L | 75 |
| M | 81 |
| P | 93 |
| Q | 99 |
| R | 106 |
| S | 112 |
| T | 118 |
| U | 124 |
| H | 130 |
| V | 149 |
| W | 168 |
| Y | 186 |
| Note: Reference: Maxxis Tire School (see link for load ratings) | |
| Note that modern tires are rated with a speed rating and load index. From Michelin: “This code, when present, appears after the size marking. The code comprises three characters: two numbers and a letter, for example, 67H. The two-digit number is a code for the maximum load carrying capacity of the tire. The letter is a maximum speed rating indicating the maximum speed at which the tire may be used with maximum load when the maximum listed inflation pressure is used.” | |
Tire Speed Rating Chart (Old Style) |
|
|---|---|
| Motorcycle Tire Speed Ratings | Max. Design Speed (MPH) |
| J Type | 62 |
| N Type | 87 |
| P Type | 94 |
| S Type | 112 |
| H Type | 130 |
| V Type | 149 |
| Z Type | 149+ |
| Note: Tires with 2.00, 2.25 & 2.50 nominal section widths are rated for 75 mph. | |
| Note that modern tires are now rated with a speed rating and load index. From Michelin: “This code, when present, appears after the size marking. The code comprises three characters: two numbers and a letter, for example, 67H. The two-digit number is a code for the maximum load carrying capacity of the tire. The letter is a maximum speed rating indicating the maximum speed at which the tire may be used with maximum load when the maximum listed inflation pressure is used.” | |
Motorcycle Tire Load Index Chart
LI = Load Index. KG = 2.2 lbs.
| LI | KG | LBS | LI | KG | LBS | LI | KG | LBS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 155 | 342 | 51 | 195 | 430 | 59 | 243 | 536 |
| 44 | 160 | 353 | 52 | 200 | 441 | 60 | 250 | 531 |
| 45 | 165 | 364 | 53 | 206 | 454 | 61 | 257 | 567 |
| 46 | 170 | 375 | 54 | 212 | 467 | 62 | 265 | 584 |
| 47 | 175 | 386 | 55 | 218 | 481 | 63 | 272 | 600 |
| 48 | 180 | 397 | 56 | 224 | 494 | 64 | 280 | 617 |
| 49 | 185 | 408 | 57 | 230 | 507 | 65 | 290 | 639 |
| 50 | 190 | 419 | 58 | 236 | 520 | 66 | 300 | 661 |
| LI | KG | LBS | LI | KG | LBS | LI | KG | LBS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 307 | 677 | 75 | 387 | 853 | 83 | 487 | 1074 |
| 68 | 315 | 694 | 76 | 400 | 882 | 84 | 500 | 1102 |
| 69 | 325 | 716 | 77 | 412 | 908 | 85 | 515 | 1135 |
| 70 | 335 | 739 | 78 | 425 | 937 | 86 | 530 | 1168 |
| 71 | 345 | 761 | 79 | 437 | 963 | 87 | 545 | 1201 |
| 72 | 355 | 783 | 80 | 450 | 992 | 88 | 560 | 1235 |
| 73 | 365 | 805 | 81 | 462 | 1019 | 89 | 580 | 1279 |
| 74 | 375 | 827 | 82 | 475 | 1047 | 90 | 600 | 1323 |
How to Read Tire Size Labels
| Street Tire Size Designations |
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| Metric Designation |
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| Inch Designation |
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| Alphabetical Designation |
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More wBW Motorcycle Tire Info: Motorcycle Tire Reviews | Motorcycle Tire Sizes
NOTE: The information on this page was taken from various motorcycle tire manufacturer websites. It is for general reference only and was originally published in 2001. It is not definitive and it may be outdated. Consider the information here as an estimate only and not proven definitive. It may not be correct; check with your tire manufacturer for the exact tire specifications.
Also: Choosing Dual-Sport Tires for the Suzuki DR650
My bike weighs 708 lbs and I weigh 225 lbs that comes to a total weight of 933 lbs. Does that mean I have exceeded the load of a tire with a load index of 908 lbs ? How do I calculate what my load is?
Hi Kenneth!
Is the load index for the front and rear tires 908lbs or is that for each tire?
What I’m asking is whether the number on the side of your tire is 77 or something else?
I’m fairly certain there are plenty of 225lb riders out there with now weight restriction issues… unless you’re on board a Honda Grom or Monkey.
That is the rear tire rating.
It is a Honda VTX 1300R.
Ok so your rear tire if it has a load rating number of 77 (908lbs) indicates that rear tire’s carrying capacity.
Now look at your front tire and see what number is on it. The two tires carrying capacity is added together to get your overall capacity so I think you’re going to be able to carry plenty more than you think at this point.
Bear in mind it’s not just about your tires when it comes to carrying capacity. Check your owner’s manual for the GVWR which is the most important factor. Your bike’s brakes may not be able to stop the bike safely if you load it down too much. Hope this helps.
Hi, great info even though I am still trying to make sense of it all. I have a 2015 Honda PCX-150. I weigh about 160 and my wife weighs about 140, we often ride together. Do those load weights apply just to passengers & cargo or do you have to factor in the weight of the bike itself (~300). Bought this in Jan 2020 and tires are probably original and old, so I am looking to replace them. Here is all the info from my current tires:
Front: Tire is iRC SS-560F and Size is 90/90-14 M/C 46P and Date Code is 34-14
Rear: Tire is iRC SS-560R and Size is 100/90-14 M/C 57P and Date Code is 34-14
Just got my City Grip 2’s installed on my Honda PCX-150. Felt odd at first, but by the time I got home I guess I was getting used to them. The salesman at the motorcycle shop said these tires are rated for 10 years (if need to replace for time vs. miles). Hope that’s true because they were about a year old, from the production date on them.