Hi I was wondering is there much of a difference in motorcycle tyre standards between usa and australia and if so what they would be (as I am thinking of buying some online from Jake Wilson USA) I can get a set of Michelin commander 2's landed here and then fitted for the same price as only purchasing a set here in victoria so saving me around $100 or more...

Thanks for your time in answering.

Hi,

I reckon be same tyre canetoad, check the load and speed ratings, which will probably be in mph and pnds

Pretty sure you wanna keep same load and speed rating as your current factory issued tyre or higher just in case, you may think a lower spec will do but could give it a bit of gas one day

Thanks
Robots

Differing compounds, wall thickness and tread patterns (etc) are supposed to be an issue, but the real thing you would have to worry about is the plod and (the biggest of all) if your insurance wont fuck you over if you have a crash.

+1 what Bonkers said. A guy I know buys his tyres from O/S. I asked him about the insurance side of things , he just shrugged his shoulders and went on about the money he saves !!!! The old story, buyers beware !!! I'm not up with all the rules and regs regarding using o/s tyres. What I read on the importing threads , is that bikes going through RAWS have to install new Australian reg tyres, even if there new tyres on the bike where ever they are imported from. Maybe guys that have imported , or in the importing industry may chime in and clarify the situation.

There really is no difference in AU tyre markings and construction compared to the US.
I have imported tyres and compared them to locally supplied tyres.

Thanks for your answers guys, you bring up some good points regards insurance and plod, but if the ratings are the same ie: 180/65b 16 81H then I am hoping it wouldnt be an issue..... unless the same commander 2 from the states is an inferior wall thickness and compounded tyre compared to the Australian released one.... but as speedster has said they appear the same. I have found a set for $380 delivered from the states, or the cheapest locally from ebay $489 delivered.

 

** was talking to a dealer today and he said there was No difference with the tyres at all, the only difference was in the paperwork as the factory stamps it, one for australian standards and one for europe one for usa etc....

The difference with imported tyres is that they are not covered by manufacturers warranty. IE Michelin (for eg wont warrant an imported tyre, so if there is a manufacuturing defect the tyre will not be covered. We have the same thing at work with Off Road tyres. The stampings are coded & manufacturers know which market each tyre goes too.

Some insurance companies will not cover imported tyres also, so check with your insurance company too.

Cheers.