The Motorcycle Council of NSW Inc. Ph: 1300 679 622 (1300 NSW MCC) | enquiries@mccofnsw.org.au

Fitting car tyres to motorcycles

Page Created: 12/2/2025

Only fit motorcycle tyres to motorcycles

A motorcycle tyre will be marked “MC” or “M/C” somewhere on the sidewall


The reason to fit only a motorcycle tyre to a motorcycle rim is because the shape of a motorcycle rim is different to that of a car rim. This is shown in the diagrams below, the top left shows a motorcycle tyre on a motorcycle rim, the top right shows a car tyre on a motorcycle rim as well as a motorcycle tyre.

 

The bottom left shows a car tyre on a car rim, the bottom right a motorcycle tyre on a car rim alongside a car tyre.

If a car tyre is fitted to a motorcycle rim, the tyre is not correctly retained on the rim and it could come off. In the event of a crash, you could be held liable for the crash and your insurance company could reject a claim.

Reference:
Goldwingfacts.com – Design Differences between car and motor Cyle Rim/Tire

 

text to come from Brian