Best Cruiser Tires

When it comes to cruiser tires, there are plenty of criteria to consider: performance, style, mileage, all-weather grip, size availability... The list goes on. Years of experience, miles of testing, and tons of feedback from customers like you was used to compile this list of the best motorcycle tires available. To make things even easier, we have a range of picks to cover all kinds of motorcycles and riding styles, from modern performance to old-school cool. Watch the video or read about our top picks below.

Looking to get some new tires for your motorcycle without breaking the bank? The best budget choice is the Shinko 230 Tour Master. In addition to being affordable to buy, the 230 is known to provide 8,000 miles or so before the rear is worn down, which is very respectable longevity for the price point. These tires are mostly intended for long rides at highway speeds, with good handling manners and a wide range of sizes to fit all kinds of cruisers, standards, and vintage bikes. Carrying a passenger or some touring luggage? The 230s can handle that, too, with aramid belting and generous load ratings. Consider bumping up to the Shinko 777 if you’re willing to spend extra for improved grip in the corners.

For riders laying down big miles, one tire stands above the rest: Dunlop’s American Elite. These tires are manufactured in the U.S.A and designed specifically for maximum mileage, even with heavy loads. They aren’t cheap, but the premium construction is well worth the price of admission. Dunlop uses Multi-Tread technology at the rear tire for a long-lasting center with plenty of grip on the sides. In heat or cold, rain or fair weather, the American Elites are up for the challenge. Customers routinely get 15,000 to 20,000 miles out of a rear, with many going beyond that. Similar performance and mileage is available with Michelin’s Commander 3 tires, but they are difficult to install.

The Cruisetec is Metzeler's premier cruiser tire, and it offers a level of performance that other tires in this class can’t match. If you’re the kind of rider who wants the best possible handling and cornering from your motorcycle, and you’re willing to compromise outright tire life to get that extra performance, then the Cruisetecs are as good as it gets right now. Metzeler uses a precision dual-compound construction with an aggressive tread pattern that bites in wet and dry conditions. If you ride a Sportster or a Dyna, you might also consider the Dunlop K591s, but sizing is limited and performance isn’t quite as good as the Metzelers.

Avon is one of the most famous names in vintage motorcycle tires, and for good reason. The brand has lots of experience crafting modernized tires for traditional motorcycles. If you want the best rubber for your vintage (or vintage-style) machine, the Avon MKII is the cream of the crop. The Speedmaster MKII is for fronts, and the Safety Mileage MKII is intended for rears. These tires are meant to work together, both functionally and aesthetically, to bring your ride into the 21st century without spoiling any period-correctness. No other tires in this category perform better in real-world riding. 

Although whitewall tires are timeless, there aren’t a ton of options out there. Which one is best? The Metzeler ME888 is the winner here, with a carcass designed for classic touring. The ME888s are sweet handlers in all conditions. Plus, they are available in more sizes than some of the competition. Make sure to select a WWW (that’s Wide White Wall) when ordering, since the ME888 is also available in non-whitewall variations.

FAQs

Q: What are the best cruiser motorcycle tires?
A: How many miles do you ride each year? How aggressive would you say your riding style is? Do you want a product that gets the job done or one that will best serve your motorcycling needs? What we're trying to say is the "best cruiser motorcycle tires" are a case-by-case basis. We think the picks this year do a great job of covering the spread — there's something for going the distance, something to put power to the ground and something to save some dough on. We've also noted some great alternatives from mainstay brands like Michelin, Dunlop and Shinko.

Q: How many miles do cruiser motorcycle tires last?
A: Race slicks are all but trash in the matter of an afternoon. Since your bike isn't putting out that kind of power, and because you want your hard-earned cash to take your farther than the edge of town, we get plenty of questions about long-lasting cruiser motorcycle tires. Some nominations in this category have clocked in excess of 15,000 miles before needing replacement.

Q: Vintage motorcycle tires: how do I choose the right ones?
A: Being able to buy modern rubber for classic machinery isn't just convenient — it's safe and stylish. If the tires on your vintage bike have gone all dry-rotted over the years, which makes them downright dangerous to use, we can help. You'll find plenty of options that work with tubes, sport the right type of tread and look like the ones that came on your bike the day it rolled out of the factory all those decades ago.

Q: Hey! What about my adventure bike?
A: Our friends over at RevZilla have more infromation on the best ADV tires. You'll find picks for road-friendly, 50/50 dirt and street and primarily off-road options.