Motorcycle tyres - any advice please (bad roads)

[Agusts]

52 minutes ago, Martinpeter said:

 

 

I am intrigued to/. tomorrow i book in for change my 1 year old tyres now from attachment 4 no tread much to fully treaded type in attachment 5? then i run the road again after!

 

i had the bike serviced last week buy my local Honda dealer i explained this problem! he checked most things on the bike! but this is Thailand - do they check properly nowadays just money! money! don't really give me much confidence! I was a mechanic before  many years ago.

 

My local Joe blogs man seems helpful tough! (translate questions)

 

Lets c what happens tomorrow change tyres! 

 

Thanks! - update again tomorrow! after!

 

Be careful with brand new tire for first 100km, there are very slippery..., I say this from experience when I slipped and nearly fell just coming out of the garage who just changed both tires - thankfully survived by putting my foot down on time...! 

[Hummin]

59 minutes ago, Martinpeter said:

As per the book  29psi front ( i use 32psi now better  and 33psi in the back

That's pretty much as standard for those standard tires for asphalt/concrete roads. 

 

 

Two videos if you have time explaining whats going on. The first one shows two angles where one from your tire, and from top showing the handlebar. The other video a bit longer but it is quite good explanation about grip, shoulder and natural instincts. 

 

It might calm you down a bit next time you hit those groomed/grooved/structured surfaces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

Pirelli tires are amazing for a motorbike. They are a bit softer and have alot of grip. 

[spidermike007]

21 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Gawd. There’s always one. Even with a car and a bike, I’d take the bike out 90% of the time. Op, ignore the boring old farts. What’s the tyre pressures like? They tend to over-inflate here. Should be around 30psi.  

I completely agree, some of us absolutely love riding on a bike and there are always going to be those that scared of so many different things in life. 

[Martinpeter]

24 minutes ago, Hummin said:

That's pretty much as standard for those standard tires for asphalt/concrete roads. 

 

 

Two videos if you have time explaining whats going on. The first one shows two angles where one from your tire, and from top showing the handlebar. The other video a bit longer but it is quite good explanation about grip, shoulder and natural instincts. 

 

It might calm you down a bit next time you hit those groomed/grooved/structured surfaces

 

 

 

 

Wow! thanks good advice! - i,ll try that ! i feel like i am going to fall of , but maybe just let the steering do its thing!

 

 

 

 

24 minutes ago, Hummin said:

 

 

 

[johng]

50 minutes ago, Agusts said:

Be careful with brand new tire for first 100km, there are very slippery..

They probably put 100 psi in

or maybe you encounterd a diesel/oil spill ,?

 

[Hummin]

13 minutes ago, johng said:

They probably put 100 psi in

or maybe you encounterd a diesel/oil. ,?

 

I'm always careful out of old time knownledge the first 100km, but roundabouts and u-turn points  is the real sketchy hazard places when it comes to diesel and oil, so be careful. 

 

Good to use proper jeans to and at least shoes and a sweather. You get casual street wear with pads now if you are heading for some longer distance driving, and not just down to the beach or short shopping trips. 

 

I went down once about 60km/h, and broke my little finger only. 

 

But my Dainese pants, jacket and gloves was partly teared teared up on my hip, knee, shoulder, and ass. I had ancle high proper biker shoes as well. 

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, Agusts said:

 

Be careful with brand new tire for first 100km, there are very slippery..., I say this from experience when I slipped and nearly fell just coming out of the garage who just changed both tires - thankfully survived by putting my foot down on time...! 

That's usually because air pressure way too high, last time I left the garage and let some air out

[jacnl2000]

OP showed following two pictures:

 

Front Tire:
✅ Use the left one (in the photo) – it’s stable, safe, and performs better on Thai surfaces.

Rear Tire:
⚠️ The right one is acceptable only if you have no better option.
✅ Better alternatives:

• Chaoyang H569

• Vee Rubber VRM-134

These provide stronger grip, braking confidence, and durability for Thai road conditions.

 

Still wobbly or shaky at the front?
👉 Get a mechanic to check the front tire, wheel, suspension, or handlebar — the issue might not be the tire alone.

 

That takes me back to long rides I used to take about thirty years ago on my 1400 cc chopper, traveling from the South of the Netherlands to our annual Motortreffen in Klagenfurt, Austria, crossing the Swiss Alps. The final mile home was always the trickiest, especially when rain hit — the rear tire’s tread wore down quickly, making it especially risky.

 

 

[Martinpeter]

8 hours ago, jacnl2000 said:

OP showed following two pictures:

 

Front Tire:
✅ Use the left one (in the photo) – it’s stable, safe, and performs better on Thai surfaces.

Rear Tire:
⚠️ The right one is acceptable only if you have no better option.
✅ Better alternatives:

• Chaoyang H569

• Vee Rubber VRM-134

These provide stronger grip, braking confidence, and durability for Thai road conditions.

 

Still wobbly or shaky at the front?
👉 Get a mechanic to check the front tire, wheel, suspension, or handlebar — the issue might not be the tire alone.

 

That takes me back to long rides I used to take about thirty years ago on my 1400 cc chopper, traveling from the South of the Netherlands to our annual Motortreffen in Klagenfurt, Austria, crossing the Swiss Alps. The final mile home was always the trickiest, especially when rain hit — the rear tire’s tread wore down quickly, making it especially risky.

 

 

 

 

? the left one is giving me the problems - why i make this post!

mixing  tyres patterns? bad idea?

 

today i go and fit tyres right (keep old tyres if worse

 

update pm today

 

thanks

[VocalNeal]

12 hours ago, jacnl2000 said:

Vee Rubber VRM-134

 

Sadly not available in 14 inch for the OP's Honda Moove. Only 12 inch and Hooda Wave 17 inch.

[Martinpeter]

 

 

 

Hi All/.

 

This morning i changed my tyres at local Joe Blogs shop  from ( old style now tread much attachment 1)

 

To ND Rubber (big tread pattern no centre groove!)   Wow! attachment 2-3

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

The old tread style,  fitted 1 year ago  by Honda shop replacement in BKK. (rubbish) 

 

 

(replaced back brake shoes at same time - worn? SHOP suggested replace them ok.

 

 

 

I WENT FOR A RIDE - (after i checked tyre pressures ok!  28psi front , 33psi back!

 

 

first thing i noticed was the steering was stiffer ( almost like harder to turn)   - new tyre tread is wider over the width tyre with from the  old tyres). - seems ok

 

 

OFF we go - THE NEW TYRES - SEEM OK - i kept trying cross the white lines test! - and i couldn't believe the difference!!

 

i was not moving on white lines!!! (so big improvement) not that i try to touch them normally.

GREAT  (so much difference from the old tyres!! WAS LIKE BEING ON ICE! old)   tyres hurray!!!

 

 

Then i drove to the bad section of road!

 

(notice new tyres need bedding in more, dimples many on new tyres!) - so will get better!

 

 

 

I want back and forth  4/5 times u-turn and go again! must have thought crazy Falang doing this on bad section!

 

 

WOW, WOW!  WHAT A DIFFERENCE - so much better, almost couldn't feel any difference same good a road!!!!

 

steering wasn't wobbling, i tried relax arms method to! i went fast 60kilos hr everything was great!

 

WHAT A BIG DIFFERENCE!!

 

 

 

old tyres (<deleted>) and man said gone hard and the wrong pattern for this motorcycle - thanks Honda!

 

 

 

So I am very,very pleased with the difference now ,  fully tread tyres in attachment 2-3 are great the way to go!

I feel much more relaxed riding the roads now! great! its like 80% better!

 

 

 

One more thing i was riding home and the monsoons opened up (on my, on with waterproofs) and get home!

 

It was great riding in the rain - so much difference in road grip with these new treaded tyres  and whites lines, even in the rain from old tyres!😀

 

 

 

😀 😀

 

 

 

 

Thanks you help - I LOVE TO RIDE MY MOTORCYCLE so much enjoyment - leave the car at home - traffic! 

 

think topic closed! 

 

 

be safe out there, many bad drivers out there, its THAILAND! think before you move!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[papa al]

everybody loves a happy ending

[jacnl2000]

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

 

Sadly not available in 14 inch for the OP's Honda Moove. Only 12 inch and Hooda Wave 17 inch.

 

You’re absolutely right.

 

The standard Honda Moove in Thailand almost always comes with 12-inch wheels, and that’s the model most riders are familiar with.

 

The 14-inch NFC110BTF “Moove 14” variant is quite niche and not officially common in the Thai market. This raises an alarm bell inside myself.

 

Given that, it’s safest to:

• Stick as close as possible to the original tire specs that Honda specified for the exact model OP has (the Moove 14-inch NFC110BTF ?)

• Avoid mixing tires or sizes outside manufacturer recommendations, because even small changes in tire diameter, profile, or tread can cause handling quirks or instability—especially on a scooter where front-end feedback is critical.

For the NFC110BTF 14-inch Moove variant, the original front tire is typically 70/90-14, usually from a Honda-approved brand or model.

 

If you want to be sure about the exact OEM tire specs, I agree: the best move is to consult Honda Thailand’s official parts or service department. They can confirm the recommended tires or offer genuine replacements built for that specific model and its handling characteristics.

 

Most cautious approach — throwing the question back to Honda and sticking to OEM tires — is the most responsible advice, especially for a less common model like the Moove 14-inch NFC110BTF. I learned the hard way what happened when I started to customize parts of my bike: my bike started to tremble and resonate at specific speeds. Try to maintain balance and stability. Test ride after each change and trust your gut: even if it looks “cool,” if it doesn’t ride right, it’s not right. No idea what happened to the bike of OP. Return to OEM geometry: tires, forks, brakes — the closer to stock, the better.

 

[Formaleins]

When in doubt I usually just go for Michelins - something like the Street Pilots are pretty good. I also bought a set of Metzlers and was pleasantly surprised. The slipping on the road markings is just something you have to get used to, a bit unnerving at first but you get used to it. Maybe (MAYBE) you might try dropping your tyre pressure from the the recommended pressure down by about 5 or 10% and see if it improves, however, you need to keep an eye for poor tyre wear.

[aussiebrian]

On 6/13/2025 at 6:19 PM, daveAustin said:

Gawd. There’s always one. Even with a car and a bike, I’d take the bike out 90% of the time. Op, ignore the boring old farts. What’s the tyre pressures like? They tend to over-inflate here. Should be around 30psi.  

Thais tend to not know what pressure the tires have in there or what it should be.

They squeeze the tires and I would bet that anyone that knows what pressure in the tires using this method would lose a bet. 

My gf took her yamaha aerox to her mechanic. I was shocked when the mechanic squeezed the tires. I asked what pressure should be in them. He said they felt right. I pulled out my pressure gauge and front tire ias 12 lbs and rear was 17. They should be 
Front 29 rear 33. I said he should use a gauge but is seemed to go over his head. 

For your question, I would say, don't look down at the road, look where you want to go and a bigger bike would handle the road better. It may move around a little on the road, don't panic, don't grab the front brake in panic. Find out what pressure should be in your tires, carry a pressure gauge and check them regularly yourself when they are cold. If a Thai mechanic checked them last, I would guess they are way out.

[sikishrory]

I went from really poor "nd rubber" brand on my nmax to Michelin city grip 2. Much more confident. Not feeling evey single little bump anymore. Much better cornering and lean. Wider area / smaller sidewall. Can't recommend them enough of you can get some to fit. 

Particularly good in wet weather. 

The old Thai made nd rubbers were harder and bumpier. Difference is night and day. 

Tires have about a 2 year lifespan before they start to harden and get crappy. Give or take. 

I paid about 1600 each on lazada and Yamaha charged 250 each to install.

The lines on the road have glass particles in them, that's why they are slippery.

There is rough road surface similar to your pic in phuket. Its as if the put it on bad corners to make people more careful? Absolutely mind boggling. 

[IsaanT]

On 6/14/2025 at 3:58 PM, Agusts said:

 

Be careful with brand new tire for first 100km, there are very slippery..., I say this from experience when I slipped and nearly fell just coming out of the garage who just changed both tires - thankfully survived by putting my foot down on time...! 

I endorse this opinion.  I used to work in the tyre industry.

New tyres still have some of the mould releasing agent on the surface of the tyre from when they were made.  It takes a while to scrub this off to let the rubber do it's stuff properly.  Although the grip is compromised it shouldn't be noticeable if riding normally in the dry but would definitely compromise the already-reduced grip in the wet.