Motorcycle tire growth significant in developing states - report

Leatherhead, UK – The motorcycle tires market will have both value- and volume-growth in the Asia-Pacific region while the “stressed and mature” European market will see the least growth by 2021, Smithers Rapra predicts.

In a report, titled “The Future of Motorcycle Tyres to 2021”, predicted that motorcycle tire demand will be $12.4 billion (€11.9 billion) in 2016 with the US market maintaining its lead in medium and heavy motorcycles and premium tires.

Over a five-year period, the report predicted a 6.8-percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by value in the market.

“The market appears poised to continue the growth of recent years, with post-financial=crisis OE demand rebounding, and the motorcycle parc and tire use/wear contributing to steady replacement demand,” it added.

Growth, said report author Arthur Mayer, will be driven by the fact that an increasing number of households in industrialising countries are able to afford motorcycles, as personal incomes rise.

“Additionally, markets for all motorcycles in a number of important countries – notably Brazil, Indonesia,Thailand, the US, and Vietnam – will accelerate, after economic difficulties in some of these countries are hopefully overcome,” Mayer added.

In terms of tire quality, the report noted that with motorcycles, safety issues mean that tire-makers are more heavily biased towards grip.

As a consequence, treadwear is sacrificed and the life of motorcycle tires is relatively short compared to automotive and trucks.

Silica reinforcements are well established in tire compounds, mainly for improved wet grip – although there are also benefits with respect to rolling resistance and cool running, the report added.

Some of the innovations in tire construction and compounds include advance steel radials; wire winding/spacing; radial carcass and diagonal belt; carbon fibre matrix; high silica content; reinforced; and two or more compounds.