Tire size
First off, there's those big numbers and
letters that may read something like 130/90 16,
or MT90 16. These numbers indicate the size of
the tire, and the rim it's designed to go on. In
this case, these are both the same size tires.
How can we tell?
Let's start with the first series of numbers,
130/90 16, otherwise known as the metric
designation. This is the most popular
nomenclature today and it's practically a
standard in the automotive world.
The 130 designates the tire's width in
millimeters, measured in a straight line through
the tire from one edge of the tire's tread to the
other. The second number, 90, is a bit trickier
to understand. This represents the aspect ratio
between the tire's width and its height, or how
tall a tire is in relationship to its width.
Simply put, the higher this number is, the taller
the tire will be. In this case, the tire is 90
percent as tall as its width, or 117mm.
The last number, 16, is the tire's rim
diameter expressed in inches.
The width on some tires may be expressed in
inches as well, but usually the aspect ratio is
left off.
The other series of numbers and letters, MT90
16, represents the same tire size, but it's
expressed in an alphabetical code. M means the
tire is designated for motorcycle use, T is the
tire width code, 90 is the aspect ratio and 16 is
the rim diameter.
Size
conversion chart
|
| Front tires |
Rear tires |
| Metric |
Alphanumeric |
Metric |
Alphanumeric |
| 80/90 |
MH90 |
110/90 |
MN90 |
| 90/90 |
MJ90 |
120/80 |
MP85 |
| 100/90 |
MM90 |
120/90 |
MP85 |
| 110/90 |
MN90 |
130/90 |
MT90 |
| 120/90 |
MR90 |
140/90 |
MU90 |
| 130/90 |
MT90 |
150/80 |
MV85 |
| |
|
150/90 |
MV85 |
|
 |
|