Whether you’re building a cafe racer from scratch or turning your current ride into a future work of art, any cafe racer enthusiast knows that choosing the right tires is critical for performance, safety, and most importantly, style.
You gotta have style.
We’ve rounded up the top tires for cafe racers that we think you should consider, some of which are used on bike builds we’ve featured before on ROCR.
Main Considerations When Choosing Cafe Racer Tires
Before you go choosing the tire you think looks the best, consider that selecting the perfect tire for your cafe racer isn’t just about looks.
According to tire experts NeoTires, they suggest that there are several important factors to bear in mind – “When choosing tires for your café racer, it’s essential to consider your riding style, weather conditions, and balancing between what looks good and what is functional.”
Riding Style and Conditions
First off, your typical riding conditions play a huge role in determining the best tire.
- Urban Streets: Urban streets aren’t likely to be rough terrain or dirt roads, so you’ll want to prioritize and focus on tires with excellent traction and responsive handling for stop-and-go traffic.
- Long Rides: If you’re a wanderer and frequently take extended trips (not really recommending a cafe racer for that anyway), then look for touring-style tires with durability and comfort for extended trips.
- Wet or All-Season Riding: Riders who face rainy locations should prioritize tires with advanced silica compounds and water-evacuation tread patterns for improved wet-weather performance, although most tires can handle this sort of thing decently unless they’re track focused (who tracks a cafe racer, though?)
Aesthetics
If you’re gunning for visual interest, then vintage tread patterns, whitewall options, and bias-ply designs are more up your alley and very popular for achieving that retro look. However, always balance aesthetics with functionality.
Tire Size
Ensure that the tire size is compatible with your motorcycle’s rims and frame. Incorrect sizing can lead to handling issues, reduced stability, or even safety hazards.
Tire Compound
As we referred to above about riding conditions, you’ll want to consider the compound in your tires.
- Soft Compounds: Provide better grip but wear out faster, ideal for performance-focused riders.
- Harder Compounds: Offer longer life but slightly less grip, making them perfect for daily commuting or touring.
Bias-Ply vs. Radial Construction
- Bias-Ply Tires: These are commonly used for vintage or retro builds due to their authentic look and robust construction.
- Radial Tires: Provide better heat dissipation, grip, and overall performance, often preferred for spirited modern riding.
Dunlop Mutant
Our Take
The Dunlop Mutant is a true all-rounder, providing excellent grip on wet roads, city streets, and light off-road trails. Its aggressive tread pattern gives a rugged look that pairs well with cafe racers aiming for a slightly edgier aesthetic. The advanced compound ensures durability and confidence on various surfaces.
Our very own Geoff Baldwin reviewed the Dunlop Mutant tires. After 14,000 km on his Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe, he found that they provided excellent grip, stability, and style, performing flawlessly on unsealed roads, in torrential rain, and during spirited rides.
Best For: Riders who want versatility for urban and adventure-style riding.
Key Features:
- Crossover design for multiple terrains.
- Optimized for wet grip and braking performance.
- Unique tread pattern for standout looks.
Avon Roadrider Mk II
Our Take
The Avon Roadrider Mk II is a favorite among cafe racer enthusiasts for its exceptional performance and timeless style. Its advanced tread design ensures excellent grip on both wet and dry roads, making it a versatile choice for all-weather riders. The carcass design improves handling, providing stability and cornering precision for spirited rides.
Best For: Riders who want a classic look with modern safety and performance.
Key Features:
- Bias-ply construction for vintage bikes.
- High silica compound for superior wet grip.
- Wide range of sizes to fit various builds.
Shinko E270 Super Classic
Our Take
The Shinko E270 Super Classic stands out with its vintage sawtooth tread pattern, which adds a retro vibe to any build. It’s available in blackwall and whitewall options, offering flexibility for customization. Despite its classic appearance, this tire delivers a smooth ride with dependable traction.
Wedge Motorcycles used these tires on their Continental GT650 and we think it knocked the aesthetic out of the park.
Best For: Builders focused on achieving a traditional cafe racer look.
Key Features:
- Modern rubber compound for long-lasting performance.
- Available in various sizes to fit both front and rear applications.
- Affordable pricing without sacrificing quality.
Continental ContiRoad
Our Take
The Continental ContiRoad is designed for modern riders who demand high performance and durability. Its tread pattern maximizes water evacuation, making it ideal for wet weather. This tire’s structure ensures stability at higher speeds, which is perfect for riders who mix daily commutes with occasional spirited rides.
They’re common for sportbikes, so cafe racers can rest well knowing they’ll get great performance in an urban setting.
Best For: Cafe racers used for year-round riding.
Key Features:
- Advanced compound for even wear and long mileage.
- Exceptional braking and cornering stability.
- Designed for smooth handling in all conditions.
Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp
Our Take
The Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp combines heritage-inspired tread patterns with modern materials to deliver high performance and excellent grip. Its dual-compound construction ensures durability in the center and increased grip on the sides, making it a favorite for spirited riders who love cornering.
Best For: Cafe racers with a performance edge that also want to maintain a vintage vibe.
Key Features:
- Aggressive lean angles supported by superior sidewall grip.
- Reinforced carcass for added stability.
- Available in sizes ideal for classic and modern cafe racers.
Bridgestone Battlax BT46
Our Take
The Bridgestone Battlax BT46 is the modern successor to the legendary BT45 series, offering even better performance and longevity. It retains its classic styling, making it perfect for retro motorcycles, while improving on wet grip and overall durability.
Best For: Riders seeking long-lasting, reliable tires for regular use.
Key Features:
- Optimized tread pattern for wet and dry performance.
- Rear tire features dual-compound construction for better mileage.
- Enhanced handling and braking for improved rider confidence.
Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE
Our Take
Last on our list is the Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE, a premium tire designed for extended road trips and varied conditions.
Its high silica compound ensures excellent wet grip, while its advanced tread layout promotes even wear over time. This tire is perfect for cafe racers built for both urban and long-distance riding.
Best For: Riders who value comfort and grip for city and highway travel.
Key Features:
- Radial construction for stability at higher speeds.
- Enhanced braking performance in wet and dry conditions.
- Superior mileage for long-lasting use.
There’s Plenty of Tire Choices
There are a ton of options on the market, and this list we put together is by no means exhaustive. While these tires offer a mix of performance, aesthetics, and durability, there’s also many others out there that can handle the demands of a cafe racer while enhancing the style you’re aiming for.
Whether you prioritize vintage looks, all-weather capabilities, or just want something with top-tier performance, make sure that you find a tire option that checks more than just one box.
Keep the rubber side down, riders!.
