The Complete Handbook of Motorcycle Tires
A practical reference for selecting, installing, maintaining, and profiting from motorcycle tires
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
From construction to compounding to profit margins — the working professional's guide to motorcycle tires.
About this book
This handbook is built for the person who works on motorcycles for a living or takes riding seriously enough to understand what is actually happening at the contact patch. It begins with the fundamentals: how a motorcycle tire is constructed, what each component does, and why tire geometry, load ratings, and speed ratings are non-negotiable engineering parameters rather than marketing suggestions. It provides a structured method for selecting the correct tire for a specific bike and use case, with concrete examples across sport, touring, off-road, and commuting scenarios.
Beyond selection, the book offers shop-grade installation procedures, including bead seating, balance, and torque specifications, as well as a maintenance and troubleshooting section that helps identify wear patterns and diagnose the root causes of vibration, cupping, and premature failure. A dedicated business chapter explores realistic opportunities in retail, mobile fitting, fleet maintenance, and specialized services, drawing clear boundaries between margin and liability.
The final chapters cover emerging technologies — such as TPMS and new compound strategies — and direct the reader to the standards bodies and publications that actually matter. A targeted FAQ and glossary round out the volume, making it a reference you will return to when a customer's bike is on the lift and the clock is ticking.
Reader Reviews
Jacob Thompson
★★★★★Solid reference. The chapter on understanding tire construction finally made load ratings click for me after years of just checking the sidewall. The troubleshooting section saved me a headache diagnosing a wobble on my shop's demo bike. I do wish it had a bit more on racing slicks, but I know that is a niche thing. Recommended for the shop manual pile.
Sarah Taylor
★★★★★It is a decent book, and the business chapter was what I bought it for. The numbers on margins and overhead seem plausible, though I would have liked more on the mobile fitting model specifically. The installation section in Chapter 4, especially the bead seating part, is well done. My main gripe is that the writing, while accurate, is not exactly a page-turner. It is a reference, so I guess that is fair.
Amanda Martinez
★★★★★As someone who does track days on a sportbike, I appreciated the technical depth in the types and specifications chapter. The examples of how to read a spec sheet and compare aspect ratios between brands were really useful. I also liked that it didn't try to sell me on any particular brand. The section on tire warmers was a bit brief, but practical. A good addition to any serious rider's library.
Timothy Wright
★★★★★Finally, a tire book written by someone who actually knows the physics and the business. I run a small independent garage, and the chapter on troubleshooting tire wear patterns has already paid for itself. The explanations are direct, no fluff, and the installation procedures are exactly what we do in the shop. I am ordering two more copies for the staff. This is the handbook the industry has needed.