When riding a motorcycle on the road, especially on winding secondary roads or highways where traffic is a concern, it is already risky enough to navigate on a two-wheeled sled. When there is moisture present, such as in wet road conditions, it can potentially lead to a disastrous situation if the rider has to lay down the bike unexpectedly. This is not only a problem for four-wheeled vehicles but also for motorcycles. That’s why it’s crucial for motorcycle riders to equip themselves with the best motorcycle rain tires, designed to provide optimal traction and grip even in challenging weather conditions.
Using inappropriate tires in wet weather conditions may lead to catastrophic consequences. That’s why choosing a specific tire for the wet season is crucially important.
The main reason for risks arising during riding on wet roads is hydroplaning. Hydroplaning, also known as aquaplaning, is a phenomenon that occurs when tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water buildup between the tires and the road. This can happen when a vehicle is traveling at a high speed on a wet road surface or during heavy rain. The layer of water prevents the tires from effectively gripping the road surface, which can cause the motorcycle to skid or lose control. Hydroplaning can be dangerous and can result in accidents, especially if the driver is not prepared for it or does not know how to handle it.
As the tire gets old the tire gets hot and starts to lose its shape. The channels aren’t as straight, so the water doesn’t get directed out to the edge of the tire. It can stay around this face which can give a horrible feeling when you’re trying to get on the throttle. The tire’s not cleaning the water out of the way and it moves around.
Fortunately, leading manufacturers in the motorcycle industry have developed all-terrain tires that are designed specifically to handle wet conditions and reduce the risks associated with riding in the rain. In this article, I have collected for you the best motorcycle rain tires which are the latest and most weather-resistant motorcycle tires available, suitable for adventure riders, street cruisers, and sports bike enthusiasts alike. With these tires, riders can confidently handle wet roads and maintain good traction and grip, even in adverse weather conditions. Nevertheless, caution is always advised when riding in the rain, so be careful even with these specialized tires and gear.
What motorcycle tires are best for rain?
- Michelin Pilot Road 6 – The Michelin Road 6 Motorcycle Tyre is an updated edition of the well-known Michelin Road tyre, which has been enhanced over two decades of continual development and with the greatest level of proficiency. This tyre uses 100% silica technology and an innovative tread design to offer a 15% increase in wet grip compared to the Road 5. By including a significant quantity of silica in the tread rubber, Michelin has been able to improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing tyre durability. The new advanced compound used in these tyres also enhances longevity by 10%.
Michelin Pilot Road 6 tires last around 9000 miles. Similar to its predecessors, the Michelin Road 6 tyre utilizes 2CT+ technology, where a layer of harder rubber is placed under the softer rubber on the tyre shoulders. This design offers better rigidity at lean angles, which enhances stability during cornering, especially under strong acceleration. The result is an all-around performance of stability, longevity, and grip. Additionally, these tyres feature Aramid shield technology, which provides a highly dense and rigid casing that contributes to excellent feedback and handling. The Aramid tread plies also reduce weight, offer outstanding stability, and resist centrifugal growth even at high speeds and temperatures. Michelin’s Radial-X Technology, which consists of 90° plies on the crown of the tyre, delivers exceptional adherence, stability, and comfort. The Silica technology used in these tyres improves grip in wet and cool conditions while ensuring the durability of the tread blocks during off-road use. The Road 6 tyres also incorporate Michelin’s Water Evergrip technology, which is an advanced version of their Water Sipe and Water Brake technology. This feature employs sipes that evolve and miles to create wider grooves, increasing the tyre’s capacity to store and evacuate water.
Based on this thread of Reddit Michelin Pilot Road has been very popular throughout the years among users:
| Model | Features | Purchase |
| Michelin Pilot Road 6 | • Patented Silica Technology™ tread compound • Patented Water Evergrip Tech™ tread pattern • 2CT+ dual compound front and rear tire composition • Delivers 15% more wet grip than Road 5 • Delivers 10% longer tread life than Road 5 | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
2. Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31 – The Battlax Sport Touring T31 is designed for high-performance bikes and offers good handling in both wet and dry conditions. The tire features a multi-compound design that provides a good grip on wet roads and a long tread life.
The Bridgestone Battlax Touring T31 motorcycle tire is a versatile option that can be used for various purposes, including street, track, and dirt riding. It’s designed with a dual compound (3LC) rear construction that enhances stability and traction, providing better performance on different surfaces.
The front compound of the tire has improved silica dispersion, resulting in increased flexibility and better performance in wet weather conditions. The tire’s shoulders have a higher sea/land ratio, which helps to evacuate water more efficiently and provides greater rider confidence when leaning into turns.
To improve handling and line-holding ability, the tire features a mono-spiral belt construction (MSB), which provides a dynamic response and a light, linear feel. The tire’s larger contact patch areas at all angles offer superior traction and improved handling.
Additionally, the tire has deco grooves that give it a bold, aggressive appearance, making it a great choice for riders who want both performance and style. Overall, the Bridgestone Battlax Touring T31 is an excellent tire for riders who want a versatile option that can handle various riding conditions.
Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31 lasts around 7000 miles.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31 | • 3LC (dual compound) rear construction offers enhanced stability and improved traction • Front compound features improved silica dispersion resulting in more flex and better wet weather performance • Higher sea/land ratio at shoulders improves water evacuation and rider confidence at lean • Mono-spiral belt construction (MSB) provides dynamic handling response with a light, linear feel and superb line holding ability • Groove angles optimized to generate maximum camber thrust • Larger contact patch at all angles when compared to the T30 EVO • Deco grooves provide a bold, aggressive look • “GT” Spec available in 4 sizes to suit heavy-weight motorcycles | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
3. Dunlop Roadsmart III – The Roadsmart III is a sport-touring tire that offers excellent grip in wet conditions, thanks to its unique tread pattern and silica-based compound. The tire also features Dunlop’s Jointless Belt (JLB) technology, which helps to maintain stability and enhance handling. The Japanese-made Roadsmart 3 tire has a dual compound design at the rear, providing improved durability without compromising grip at lean, and it is suitable for both small and big bikes. The front has a single compound and a new cross-groove tread design for better water evacuation. The Roadsmart 3 is known for its all-around performance and value, making it a popular choice for sport-touring riders. It offers a comfortable ride that requires less input, and the iGT design contributes to its aggressive look and top-level performance. The grooved tread ensures consistent wear and good traction in various weather conditions. The tire is designed to last and provide reliable service for years to come.
As for longevity, Dunlop Roadsmart III tires are reported to last for 10000 miles.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
Dunlop Roadsmart III | • Entirely revised rayon ply carcass and front profile requires less steering input and provides precise handling without sacrificing Roadsmart’s trademark confidence inspiring feel and feedback • Interconnecting Groove Tread (iGT) provides excellent water evacuation while promoting even tire wear • MultiTread compound with tri-polymer blend and high dispersion silica mix provides increased mileage and wet weather grip • MT compound and iGT design work together to ensure top level performance for the life of the tire | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
4. Pirelli Angel GT – The Pirelli Angel GT motorcycle tires have dual-compound zones at the rear that improve mileage while maintaining grip during straight-line rides and turns. The front uses a uniform compound design, except for French rubber
While the Angel GT is on the expensive end of the MSRP spectrum, it can often be purchased at a discounted price, making it one of the best values in its class if bought at the right time.
These tires are perfect for sports riders who want to increase their mileage without sacrificing grip and traction. With a W-rated speed of 168+ mph and a V-rated speed of 149 mph, they are suitable for any type of ride.
The EMS tire formula of these tires provides the best-in-class mileage and grip, while the new Bi-compound formula on the rear tires improves cornering traction.
Made with a reinforced, 2-ply carcass, these tires offer improved handling, and the “A-Spec” tires are designed for the Ducati Multistrada 1200 GT. These tires have improved wet grip and tubeless capability, making them an ideal choice for riders who love to ride in the rain.
The Pirelli Angel GT tires approach and often surpass 10,000 miles.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
Pirelli Angel GT | • (W)-rated for speeds of 168+ mph • (V)-rated for speeds up to 149 mph • Ideal for sport riders looking for increased mileage without sacrificing grip and traction • Extended Mileage Sport (EMS) tires provide best-in-class for mileage and grip • Rear tires feature new Bi-compound formula improves cornering traction • “A Spec” tires feature a reinforced, 2-ply carcass • “D Spec” OE for Ducati Multistrada 1200 GT • Improved wet grip • Tubeless | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
5. Continental Road Attack 3 – The Continental Road Attack 3 tire is an excellent choice for all-weather riding, delivering outstanding traction in both wet and dry conditions. With exceptional handling and cornering stability, it is also highly durable and can withstand long hours of high-speed riding without showing signs of premature wear.
The Road Attack 3 tire features a dual-compound construction with a harder outer tread compound, improving wear life and overall durability, while the inner compound is softer to enhance grip when turning. The tire’s center is made more durable through the MultiGrip cure method, which helps reduce wear and extend the tire’s lifespan. Moreover, the Road Attack 3 benefits from Continental’s advanced construction techniques, keeping the tire’s weight low.
The tire’s new siping, combined with an aggressive tread pattern, lowers noise levels while improving wet-weather traction. Customers can expect to get up to 10,000 miles or more out of these tires before feeling the need to replace them, making them a great value for money when considering the superior grip and handling they provide.
Continental Road Attack 3 tires reported to last more than 7000 miles.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
Continental Road Attack 3 | • Performance oriented pattern design for better drainage in wet conditions • Wet grip optimized compound • TractionSkin mold release-free manufacturing virtually puts an end to tire break-in • MultiGrip temperature controlled curing of the tire during the production process creates harder center and softer, grippier sides • Eligible for Continental’s free 3 year roadside warranty | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
6. Metzeler Roadtec 01 – The Roadtec 01 is designed for sports touring and features a silica-based compound that provides a good grip in both wet and dry conditions. The tire also has a tread pattern that helps to disperse water quickly, making it ideal for wet conditions.
The Metzeler Roadtec 01 is a tire with an aggressive tread pattern that excels on wet surfaces. It features a dual-compound design at the rear with silica-infused shoulders and a uniform compound front construction that works well in both hot and cold temperatures. Metzler also offers a heavy-duty version of this tire for larger bikes. Although it is priced at a premium, the Roadtec 01 is a top-performing tire that is available in a wide range of sizes and is suitable for various types of motorcycles. Its versatile tread design delivers optimum performance in different riding conditions, making it the perfect choice for safety-conscious and demanding riders.
Metzeler Roadtec 01 tires last around 6-8000 miles.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
Metzeler Roadtec 01 | • Increased grip on wet roads, with a focus on low friction surfaces (such as city streets and worn tarmac, low temperature), thanks to radial position of grooves • Rebalanced tire stiffness to allow a better adherence of the rubber with the tarmac micro-asperities, increasing mechanical grip even on lower friction surfaces • Belt and carcass tension parameters upgraded to increase stability on rear tires during strong braking • Increased mileage vs. Roadtec Z8 Interact (up to 10%) • Higher wear resistance • Blackwall • Tubeless (TL) • W rated for speeds of 168+ MPH • SE = “Supersport” version with slicker shoulder tread for enhanced dry grip | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
7. Avon Storm 3D X-M – The Storm 3D X-M is designed for sports touring and offers excellent grip in wet conditions. The tire features a unique tread pattern that helps to disperse water quickly and a multi-compound design that provides a good grip and a long tread life. The Avon Storm 3D X tire is a popular choice among motorcycle riders, particularly those who do a lot of touring or commuting. This tire is designed to offer excellent wet-weather performance, making it an ideal option for riders who frequently ride in rainy or damp conditions.
One of the most notable features of the Storm 3D X is its distinctive tread pattern. This pattern is designed to provide maximum grip in wet conditions, thanks to its deep grooves and specially formulated compound. The tire is also designed to offer superior handling and stability, particularly when riding on straight roads or cornering at high speeds.
Another key feature of the Storm 3D X is its unique construction. The tire is built using Avon’s “3D siping” technology, which involves using multiple tread blocks to provide additional stability and grip. This helps to improve both wet and dry weather performance, making the tire a versatile option for all types of riding.
The average mileage of Avon Storm 3D X-M is 9500 miles.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
| Avon Storm 3D X-M | • High performance plus extended mileage • Delivers 15%-20% extra mileage compared to the current Storm range • Interlocking three dimensional points hidden in the spines to improve stability and grip, limit tread flex and allow the tire to warm up quickly • High performance single and multi-compound super rich silica tread enhances wet grip (SRS) • Superb speed rating, handling and stability characteristics • Radial Tubeless Type | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
8. Shinko 009 Raven – The Raven 009 is designed for sports bikes and features a silica-based compound that provides a good grip in wet and dry conditions. The tire also has a tread pattern that helps to evacuate water quickly, making it ideal for wet conditions.
One of the key features of the 009 Raven is its specially formulated compound, which provides excellent grip and stability in wet conditions. This makes it an ideal choice for riders who frequently ride in rainy or damp conditions. The tire is also designed to offer superior handling and stability on dry roads, thanks to its high-quality construction and advanced tread pattern.
Another notable feature of the 009 Raven is its affordable price point. Compared to some other tires on the market, the Raven is a budget-friendly option that still offers high-quality performance and durability. This makes it a popular choice among riders who want to get the most bang for their buck.
Overall, the Shinko 009 Raven tire is a solid choice for riders who are looking for a reliable and affordable tire that can handle a wide range of riding conditions. While it may not have all of the advanced features of some more expensive tires, the Raven offers a good balance of performance, durability, and affordability that is hard to beat.
According to riders, the mileage of Shinko 009 Raven tires is 10,000 to 13,000 on the front and about 7,500 to 9,000 on the rear.
Another key feature of the Storm 3D X is its unique construction. The tire is built using Avon’s “3D siping” technology, which involves using multiple tread blocks to provide additional stability and grip. This helps to improve both wet and dry weather performance, making the tire a versatile option for all types of riding.
The average mileage of Avon Storm 3D X-M is 9500 miles.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
| Shinko 009 Raven | • Specifically designed to meet the demands of high performance tires • Provides superior riding comfort and high grip • W speed rated (168 mph) • Aramid belted • Highest tread life of Shinko sport performance radials • DOT approved | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
10. IRC Road Winner RX-01 – The Road Winner RX-01 is designed for sports touring and offers a good grip in both wet and dry conditions. The tire features a silica-based compound that provides a good grip and a unique tread pattern that helps to disperse water quickly.
The IRC Road Winner RX-01 is an affordable and durable tire designed for sports touring and commuting motorcycles. The RX-01 is constructed with a bias-ply design, which provides excellent stability and handling at high speeds.
One of the standout features of this tire is its long-lasting tread life, thanks to the use of a hard rubber compound in the center of the tire. However, the softer rubber compound on the shoulders of the tire still provides ample grip for cornering and maneuvering in wet or dry conditions.
The RX-01 also features a directional tread pattern that helps to displace water and reduce hydroplaning in wet conditions. However, some users have reported that the tire can be a bit noisy on the highway, especially at higher speeds.
IRC Road Winner RX-01 tires last about 8,000 miles.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
| IRC Road Winner RX-01 | • IRC aspires to provide rides with high performance tires for any condition. • Their mission is simple: To provide superior and never-ending product development and customer service. • Their goal is to be your number one tire partner. Sport bias tire with well-balanced in abrasion resistance and grip. Combines narrow and wide grooves to provide a flexible tread surface for superior road holding and traction on wet roads. RX-01’s strong | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
- Bonus item for racing rain tires: Michelin Power Rain – The Michelin Power Rain is a Race Rain Tire. The Michelin Power Rain is a specialized high-performance motorcycle tire that is specifically designed for use in wet weather conditions. Its unique ‘fountain’ shaping aids in the rapid expulsion of water, improving traction in wet conditions. The angled sipes create channels that quickly drain the water away from the contact patch, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and enhancing grip.
This tire’s Silica tread compound provides exceptional grip on both wet and dry surfaces, with softer rubber than traditional compounds that offer improved responsiveness and better feedback during cornering. The tread pattern is optimized for maximum drainage, providing you with the confidence to ride in the rain without worrying about losing traction.
The Power Rain is available in various sizes for the front and rear tire, with black or white sidewalls for the front tire and black or natural rubber for the rear tire. Not suitable on the public highway. Designed exclusively for track competition, the MICHELIN Power Rain tyre is not suitable for normal road use. This tyre adapts well to all variations in temperature.
| Model | Features | Purchase |
| Michelin Power Rain | • Dual compound technology for superb grip and longevity. • Maximises water clearance thanks to the tyres ‘fountain’ tread design. • Effective in a wide range of temperatures. • Not Road Legal | On Amazon (Price and other details may vary based on product size and color.) |
Optimum Operating Temperature
All tires have an optimum operating temperature. If you’re kept within this optimal operating temperature range they provide the most grip. When a tire is within its optimum temperature range the rubber drapes over the asperities and road. When it’s too cold it doesn’t deform properly. In other words, the tire is too hard and doesn’t provide enough grip. During the rain not only the ambient and track temperature is low the water cools down the tires as well. So the compounds used for rain tires are softer and have lower optimum operating temperatures.
What to Consider
When choosing the best motorcycle rain tires there are several factors to consider:
Price – Price is typically the primary factor to consider when purchasing a tire. It’s crucial to establish your budget and assess all of the available options in the market. Conducting a thorough comparison is essential to making an informed decision. By evaluating the prices of different tires, you can determine which options provide the best value for your money.
Material – After considering the price, the next factor to look at is the tire’s construction
materials. Opting for multi-compound tires is advisable, as they perform well in diverse conditions. Selecting a low-priced tire made from low-quality materials will likely result in faster wear and tear. Therefore, investing in a quality tire is crucial, as cheap tires may not last long and may need frequent replacements, which can be costly in the long run.
Tread Pattern – To ensure optimal performance in wet conditions, a tire’s tread pattern must be carefully designed. The grooves should be crafted in a specific way, allowing water to flow out smoothly. Therefore, it’s essential to select a tire with an aggressive tread pattern that strikes a balance between too many grooves and too few of them. An excessive number of grooves can provide extra traction but reduce speed, while too few grooves can lead to inadequate grip on wet surfaces. The ideal tire should have a balanced groove pattern that offers both speed and grip in rainy weather.
Final Verdict
Looking for the best motorcycle rain tires? Based on research among users and my own experience, I can surely advise Michelin Pilot Road 5 as the best of them all. They have the perfect grip and you can be assured you will be safe when riding on wet roads.