MC Tire Load Ratings

[montmil]

I do not "pack the kitchen sink" but have begun to wonder about the MC tire manufacturer's load ratings and how to calculate the maximum safe load on a motorcycle.

Lets say, for example, that both front and rear tires carry a maximum load rating of 500 lbs / 227 kg.

Does this mean that the total load on the motorcycle cannot exceed 500 pounds, or does that imply that both tires together would share the load, ie: support 250 Lb / 113 kg? In other words, would the maximum load on the bike be 1000 lb / 454 kg?

Then there's that 40F / 60R tire loading for best handling performance.

What say the "collective"?

[Barry]

They would share the load. I'd use BMW's own maximum loading figures to work out the % split front to rear and then apply that to the load rating of the tires you have.  In practice the tire load ratings seem to exceed BMW's permissible figure especially on the front. My tires are rated front  59 (536 lbs) and Rear  64 (617 lbs). Although you be on your own to exceed the maximum gross vehicle weight of 877 lbs. There must be other considerations in the suspension and structure of the bike as well as the tire loadings otherwise you would think it'd at least be the total of the two below = 904 lbs.

Wheel loadings from the R65 riders handbook:

Front max. 309 lbs  34%
Rear max.  595 lbs  66%

[montmil]

Thanks, Barry. I'm actually dealing with an "off brand" bike that may take us on a summer tour.

My tire load rate figures were for examples only.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]