The Story in the Sidewall:
"Read the sidewall of the tire, you'll be surprised how much information is there."
For Example:
TIRE SIZE: Most often this is expressed in a combination of millimeters, percentages and inches. For example, a tire marked 130/90H16 has a tread that is 130 mm wide and an aspect ratio (the ratio between shoulder height and tread width) that is 90%. It has an H speed rating and it fits on a 16 inch rim. Tire sizes can get a little confusing, since different manufacturers may use any one of three sizing systems. But the chart below will help you match up tires measured according to any of the systems.
SPEED RATING: There are four recognized speed ratings. S, H, V and Z. An S tire is certified for a maximum sustained speed of up to 112 mph; H tires are certified for 130 mph; V for 150 mph; and Z for anything over 150 mph. Experts caution riders to select a realistic speed rating; there are trade offs with higher ratings.
LOAD INDEX: This letter indicates the maximum load carrying capacity of the tire at maximum recommended tire pressure. Load range C is the highest for motorcycles, but the actual carrying capacity varies with tire size. If you're serious about loading down your touring bike, look for a C tire, but never exceed the gross vehicle weight restriction listed in your owners manual.
MAXIMUM PRESSURE: Don't mistake this for a recommendation of how much air you should run in the tire. Under extreme loads you may want to inflate tires to this level, but it's best to check with the dealer or manufacturer on suggested pressure range.
DOT NUMBER: This number can help you determine the age of a tire you want to purchase. The last three digits of the U.S. Department of Transportation ID number are the week and year the tire was made. 120 means that tire was built during the 12th week of 1990.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS: This tells what materials went into the tires plies. You'll also find the brand and model of the tire, the country where it was made, whether it is a tubeless or tube type and an arrow indicating the direction it should roll when mounted on the bike.
CROSS REFERENCE FOR SIZING SYSTEMS:
| INCH | METRIC | ALPHA |
| 3.00 | 80 | MH |
| 3.25 | 90 | MJ |
| 3.50 | 100 | ML |
| 4.00 | 110 | MM |
| 4.50 | 120 | MP |
| 5.00 | 130 | MT |
| 5.50 | 140 | MU |
| 6.00 | 150 | MV |
RIDE SAFE