Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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Think all those numbers and letters on your motorcycle tire are just random gibberish? Think again.

In this episode of Hot Bike's Tech Tips, Danny Wilson from @MotorWitchInd. breaks down exactly how to read your motorcycle tire sidewalls using the @DunlopMotorcycle American Elite 2 (AE2) as an example. Learn what tire sizes mean, how to identify load and speed ratings, why the directional arrow matters, what the yellow balance dot does, and why checking your tire date codes could save your life.

Whether you're shopping for new rubber, inspecting a used bike, or just want to understand what you're riding on, this is the tire knowledge every rider should have.

In this video:
Dunlop AE2 tire overview
Tire size breakdown (180/55B16 explained)
Load and speed ratings decoded
The purpose of the balance dot
Directional arrows explained
How to check tire manufacturing dates
Why old tires can be dangerous

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