How to choose motocross tyres?

How to choose motocross tires?

Tips and Advice motorcycle

Are you wondering which motocross tires (or MX tires) would be optimal for your bike? You are right to investigate because the choice should not be made lightly. Tire performance varies depending on the type of terrain you ride on. And beyond grip and handling, there are also considerations of longevity and comfort.
So how to choose your motocross tires? Read our guide to find out.

Summary:
1 - Motocross tires for engine size >= 125cc
2 - Motocross tires for engine size < 125cc

1 - Motocross tires for engine size >= 125 cc

In this capacity category, the choice of motocross tires will depend on the type of terrain you ride on. Whatever the terrain, we have the tires that offer you excellent performance.

Motocross tires for sandy ground

For sand, the MICHELIN StarCross 6 Sand is the ideal tire as it has been specifically designed to offer optimum performance on this type of terrain. Developed with professional riders, this tire is used in world and national championships. You can equip your motorbike with this tire at the front and at the rear.

tire michelin starcross 6 sand product in use

Motocross tires for muddy ground

On muddy terrain, we recommend coupling the MICHELIN StarCross 6 Medium Soft at the front and the MICHELIN StarCross 6 Mud at the rear. This effective combination will give you excellent grip and exceptional handling in mud.

Motocross tires for soft or intermediate ground

On grassy, harrowed or mixed ground, which offers no resistance when penetrated by the finger, there are two possibilities: the MICHELIN StarCross 6 Medium Soft or the MICHELIN StarCross 6 Medium Hard both provide an effective grip.

The difference is mainly in the feel. The Medium Hard is harder and therefore more responsive, especially when accelerating. The Medium Soft, on the other hand, offers you more comfort.

These two solutions are the most versatile for those who do not want to change tires for every terrain.

Motocross tires for Hard ground

We are talking about dry, compacted soil, with or without stones, a soil in which the finger does not penetrate. If you practice Supercross on this type of terrain, you should opt for the MICHELIN StarCross 6 Hard, which is perfectly suited to this environment.

shaun simpson coupar angus rb

Why choose the MICHELIN StarCross 6?

Long lasting grip

On most MX tires, the studs tear off one by one as you ride. They evolve as shown in the diagram below:

tread blocks

Classic stud

A - The stud when new

B - The stud cracks and tears off in an advanced stage of wear

With the MICHELIN StarCross 6, we have innovated by introducing a silica-based technology. This technology makes the studs more robust and their wear becomes much more uniform, allowing you to benefit from a long lasting grip.

tread blocks silica technology

A stud with MICHELIN SILICA technology

A - The stud when new

B - The stud is maintained in its original shape at an advanced stage of wear

Michelin Adaptive Design

The MICHELIN StarCross 6 has not only been designed for longevity. We have also designed it to provide maximum grip and ideal handling at the front, and exceptional grip and traction at the rear. This is thanks to the specific positioning of the studs in 3 zones: central, intermediate and lateral with a specifically studied spacing.

adaptive design

As a result, the MICHELIN StarCross 6 Medium Hard increases grip efficiency by 7% when new, compared to the MICHELIN StarCross 5 Medium and by 19% when worn.

The comparative test results for the MICHELIN StarCross 6 Medium Soft compared to the MICHELIN StarCross 5 Soft are also conclusive: +16% grip efficiency when new, and +14% when worn.

Motocross and Enduro size equivalents

It is important to note that for the MICHELIN Enduro and Desert ranges, the size designation is based on the width of the tire measured at the widest point of the tread.
And for the MICHELIN StarCross 6 range, the size designation is based on the width of the tire measured at the widest point of the sidewall.

For example : a 140/80-18 Enduro tire corresponds to a 120/90-18 Motocross tire (see our table below).

ENDURO

MOTOCROSS

90/90-21

80/100-21

120/80-19

100/90-19

130/70-19

110/90-19

120/90-18

100/100-18

130/80-18

110/100-18

140/80-18

120/90-18

Recommended pressure

You can see the recommended pressures on this page.

michelin bib mousse zoom antipuncture

Puncture-proof tires

What if it was possible to make your tires puncture-proof during your Motocross races?

It is indeed possible if you equip your MICHELIN StarCross 6 with an alternative to a classic or reinforced inner tube: the MICHELIN Bib MousseTM.

With the MICHELIN Bib MousseTM’s foam technology, you no longer need to adjust the pressure and your tire becomes puncture-proof. Lighter than a reinforced tube, the MICHELIN BIB MousseTM offers a pressure equivalent between 0.8 bar to 1.0 bar and allows you to indulge your passion for off-roading without ever having to worry about punctures.

2 - Motocross tires for engine size < 125 cc

To choose the best motocross tire when your engine size is under 125cc, you will find the ideal tire in our MICHELIN StarCross 5 range dedicated to the future stars of the competition!

Start by looking at the possible tire sizes for your bike. Then, you can choose between the MICHELIN StarCross 5 Soft and MICHELIN StarCross 5 Medium, depending on the type of surface you ride on.

The Soft version is suitable for soft ground, mud and sand.
The Medium version is best suited for intermediate and hard ground.
For the smallest bikes (< 65 cc), you can opt for the MICHELIN StarCross 5 Mini which is very versatile.

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