Motorcycle Tyre Prices in South Africa
Compare motorcycle tyre prices from SA bike shops by exact size, the same way drivers compare car tyres on TyreCompare. Pick your size below: sportbike and naked 17-inch pairs, adventure and dual-sport fitments, cruisers, and scooters.
How motorcycle tyre sizes work
A size like 120/70-17 reads as width in millimetres (120mm), profile as a percentage of the width (70%), and rim diameter in inches (17). The letter between profile and rim tells you the construction: ZR or R for radial, a dash or B for bias-ply. Shops write the same tyre both ways, so every listing for a size lives on one page here.
Bikes run different sizes front and rear. Fronts are narrow, typically 90 to 130 section; rears are wide, 140 to 200. A sportbike usually pairs a 120/70-17 front with a 180/55-17 or 190/55-17 rear, while adventure bikes run a 90/90-21 or 110/80-19 front with a 150/70-17 or 140/80-18 rear. Check your owner's manual or the sticker on the swingarm if you are not sure.
Buying in South Africa is straightforward: most shops listed here courier nationwide, and fitting at a bike shop typically costs R100–R250 per wheel, less if you bring the wheel in loose. Prices are per tyre. Before paying for old shelf stock, check the four-digit DOT date on the sidewall; anything over a few years old deserves a discount.
Motorcycle tyre FAQ
What does 120/70-17 mean on a motorcycle tyre?+
The first number is the width in millimetres (120mm), the second is the profile, the sidewall height as a percentage of the width (70%), and the last is the rim diameter in inches (17). The letter before the rim size, ZR, R or a dash, marks radial or bias construction; shops write the same tyre both ways, so we group listings by size.
Can I mix tyre brands front and rear on a motorcycle?+
You can, and many riders do when budgets are tight, but matched pairs are designed to work together in profile and grip. At minimum keep the same tread type front and rear (road with road, knobbly with knobbly) and never mix radial and bias construction unless your bike’s manufacturer approves it.
Do motorcycle tyre prices include fitting?+
Usually not. Most prices listed here are per tyre, excluding fitment. Bike shops typically charge R100–R250 per wheel to fit and balance, and many charge less if you bring the wheel in loose. Offers that do include fitting are marked on the price cards.
What is the legal tread depth for motorcycle tyres in South Africa?+
South African regulations require at least 1mm of tread across the full width of the tyre. Wet grip drops off well before that, so most riders replace at around 2mm, when the rear squares off, or when the tyre passes about five years old regardless of tread.
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