We here at Gear Patrol can’t stress enough the importance of having the right rubber wrapped around your wheels for different conditions. For cars, it’s helpful, but with motorcycles, the need for proper tire performance is paramount; if one motorcycle wheel loses grip, you don’t have three more to keep you upright. Hence, having a set of rain tires is one of the best investments a rider can make. Moreover, motorcycle rain tires can also pull double duty as moderate all-season shoes, functioning well as both cold-weather tires and decent summer tires.
Since motorcycles work on significantly smaller contact patches than cars, standard motorcycle tires make up the difference with minimal tread patterns. This is why summer performance tires for motorcycles are almost slick, but while they give you optimal grip on dry asphalt, those sorts of low-tread tires can be deadly up against a puddle.
Aquaplaning and losing balance and control of your bike is every rider’s worst nightmare. So, if you live anywhere that sees heavy rain — ever — it’s time you invest in a set of properly treaded tires and pump some of that water out of the way.
The Best Rain Tires for Motorcycles
Michelin Pilot Road 5
BikebanditMichelin Road 5 Motorcycle Tire
The Best All-Around Motorcycle Rain Tire: The Pilot Road 5 is the gold standard when it comes to rain tires. Its tread pattern is second to none when it comes to pumping away water, and a dual-compound rubber construction pulls double duty extending the tire’s life on longer rides while still providing grip in the turns. If you commute on a sport or sport standard, the Pilot Road 5 is a no-brainer.
There’s also the more stiffly constructed Pilot Road 5 GT and Pilot Road 5 Trail for heavier touring bikes and fully loaded ADV bikes, respectively.
