Tyre buying guide
Motorcycle Tyre Prices in South Africa (2026)
Published 22 October 2026 · TyreCompare editorial · How we compare prices
Motorcycle tyre price list for popular SA sizes, from R620 for scooters: what sport, adventure and scooter pairs cost, and how to save.
Motorcycle tyres cost more per tyre than most car tyres, and prices for the same tyre vary a lot between South African bike shops. We checked 1 616 in-stock motorcycle tyre listings from seven SA shops on 22 October 2026. Below is what the popular sizes cost, what a front and rear pair costs for each type of bike, and how to pay less.
All prices are per tyre and exclude fitting, which none of these shops include in their listed price. For today's prices in your size, open the motorcycle tyre comparison.
Motorcycle tyre price list for popular sizes
| Size | Typical bike | From | Typical | Shops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120/70-17 | Sport, naked and sport-touring front | R1 435 | R2 790 | 7 |
| 180/55-17 | Sport, naked and sport-touring rear | R1 820 | R3 580 | 7 |
| 190/55-17 | Larger sport and touring rear | R2 515 | R4 068 | 6 |
| 160/60-17 | Middleweight naked and sport rear | R1 800 | R3 144 | 6 |
| 150/70-17 | Adventure rear (19-inch front bikes) | R2 300 | R3 090 | 7 |
| 170/60-17 | Large adventure rear | R2 085 | R3 400 | 7 |
| 110/80-19 | Adventure front | R2 010 | R2 550 | 7 |
| 120/70-19 | Large adventure front | R1 680 | R2 645 | 7 |
| 90/90-21 | Dual-sport and adventure front | R690 | R1 890 | 5 |
| 150/70-18 | Dual-sport and adventure rear (21-inch front bikes) | R2 550 | R3 170 | 7 |
| 120/70-12 | Scooter | R620 | R970 | 3 |
| 130/70-12 | Scooter | R883 | R1 140 | 3 |
"From" is the cheapest in-stock listing. "Typical" is the median across all listings in that size, which is closer to what a mainstream sport-touring or adventure tyre costs. The cheapest options are usually budget or older patterns; the typical price is where Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Dunlop and Continental's current road tyres sit.
What a front and rear pair costs
Most riders replace tyres in pairs, or at least budget for both. These are the cheapest and typical prices for a matching front and rear of the same tyre model, in stock on 22 October 2026. The cheapest front and rear can come from different shops.
| Bike type | Sizes | Pair from | Typical pair | Popular choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport and naked | 120/70-17 + 180/55-17 | R3 255 Vredestein Centauro ST | R6 270 | Michelin Road 6 from R6 195 |
| Adventure, 19-inch front | 110/80-19 + 150/70-17 | R4 630 Heidenau K60 Ranger | R5 620 | Bridgestone AX41 from R4 655 |
| Adventure, 21-inch front | 90/90-21 + 150/70-18 | R4 420 Michelin Anakee Adventure | R5 270 | Bridgestone AX41 from R5 060 |
| Scooter | 120/70-12 + 130/70-12 | R1 666 Vee Rubber VRM184 | R1 925 | Michelin City Grip 2 from R2 140 |
Bigger sport bikes on a 190/55-17 rear pay more: a Michelin Road 6 pair in 120/70-17 and 190/55-17 started at R6 650, against R6 195 with the 180/55-17 rear.
The same tyre costs very different amounts at different shops
No single shop was cheapest across the board. For identical tyres (same model, same size), the gap between the cheapest and dearest shop was often R700 or more per tyre:
- Michelin Road 6 190/50-17: R3 650 to R4 528 across 5 shops.
- Pirelli Angel ST 190/50-17: R2 425 to R3 199 across 5 shops.
- Continental Trail Attack 3 120/70-17: R2 100 to R3 130 across 3 shops.
- Michelin Anakee Wild 150/70-18: R2 950 to R3 662 across 4 shops.
On a pair, that difference can pay for fitting several times over. Compare the exact tyre you want across shops before you buy, rather than assuming your usual shop is cheapest.
How to read a motorcycle tyre size
Take 180/55 ZR17 73W, a common sport-touring rear:
- 180 is the tyre width in millimetres.
- 55 is the sidewall height as a percentage of the width.
- ZR means a radial tyre rated for high speed. A dash instead, as in 90/90-21, usually means bias-ply construction, common on dual-sport, off-road and older bikes.
- 17 is the rim diameter in inches.
- 73W is the load index and speed rating. Match or exceed the figures in your owner's manual.
Shops write the same size in different ways (180/55ZR17, 180/55-17, 180/55 R17). TyreCompare groups them on one page, so you see every listing for your size together.
When to replace motorcycle tyres
- Tread depth: South African law requires at least 1 mm of tread across the tyre. Most tyres have wear indicators in the grooves; when the tread is level with them, it is time.
- Squared-off profile: a flat strip down the centre, common on bikes that do mostly straight-line commuting, makes the bike reluctant to lean even with tread left.
- Damage and age: cracks in the sidewall, bulges or plugs near the shoulder mean replace. The four-digit date code on the sidewall shows the week and year it was made; ask for recent stock.
- Rear first: rears usually wear out well before fronts. If you replace only the rear, fit the same model as the front, and never mix radial and bias-ply unless the bike maker approves it.
How to pay less for motorcycle tyres
- Check the exact size on your current tyres and the manual for front and rear.
- Compare the same tyre model across shops on its size page, not just the cheapest tyre in the size.
- Price the pair. Some shops are cheaper for fronts and others for rears, so splitting the order can save more than any single-shop deal.
- Ask about fitting and balancing before you order, and whether removing the wheel yourself lowers the price.
- Consider the previous version of a premium tyre. Older patterns from the big brands often sell for much less than the current model and still suit most riders.
Prices change weekly. Use the TyreCompare motorcycle section for live prices in your size before you buy. We do not sell tyres; you buy directly from the shop.