Why do Manufacturers create model specific tires?

[DIY]

I was reading about the new MT-10 and the spec sheet boasted "Specially-developed Bridgestone Battleax Hypersport tyres". I've seen this before from time to time. It seems pointless. Why do manufacturers do this?

 

[GAJ]

Good question.

 

[westie]

Have you ever seen the back of a Diavel? Thats why.

 

[Butch]

profit

 

[jh2586]

Also, I think more often than not, these so-called "special design tires" are not even close to the same performance delivery of a flagship sport tire of the same size for like half the price

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Do you need them or can you install any tires that fit? Unless they come out with weird wheel sizes does it matter?

 

[stangmx13]

maybe they are turning a cost-savings into a selling point.

 

[auntiebling]

profit

For the tire AND bike manufacturer. See: Harley Davidson branded EVERYTHING

 

[x42bnx]

I'm going to attempt to answer this question to the best of my ability, I am management at a Bridgestone warehouse and I get this question quite a bit but mostly from the BMW crowd.

First of all, when Bridgestone designed the tire - they designed it around the vehicle, to cater to the needs and specifics of which it's being put on. The tread compound is different, the materials are different as well.
It wasn't for profit, Bridgestone is gigantic and has many sector's that provide a profit and the retail on tires is definitely not one of them.

In comparison, you can use a Bridgestone Battle-Ax in the same size that isn't original equipment - but you will not receive the same performance as the OE tire.

 

[Tri750]

True. Example is the BMW K1200LT.
There were (are) only a few tires "approved" for this 830lb, 95hp bike with a carrying capacity to take everything along.
Bridgestone, Metzeler rose to the top of the original 3 or 4 that were on the list.
They were reinforced to take the weight and horsepower.
Construction was sometimes changed, I think the B/S ran a belted tire to take the weight.
When folks would just put the standard BTO20 or ME880, they would wear like pencil erasers as they weren't stiff enough for the big LT.

Overall, we would tell people the Metz would handle better if you liked curvy roads and rode in a spirited fashion, the B/S would last longer so each rider would choose depending on riding style.

It's gotten really specific with BMW, they will have up to 4 variants of say Metzeler Z8's. One for the RT, GT, standard use, etc.
There are or can be some differences in height or width as well to give the bike a specific look or change the handling a hair by making a "B" tire that is say, 5mm taller than a standard 180/55-17 to tweak the handling.

The car industry has done it for decades to fill fender wells or give a car a specific look with a wider track even tho the tire is still marked say, a 205/70R15, it may be taller, wider etc. if it's a model specific tire.

 

[ilikefood]

I'm going to attempt to answer this question to the best of my ability, I am management at a Bridgestone warehouse and I get this question quite a bit but mostly from the BMW crowd.

First of all, when Bridgestone designed the tire - they designed it around the vehicle, to cater to the needs and specifics of which it's being put on. The tread compound is different, the materials are different as well.
It wasn't for profit, Bridgestone is gigantic and has many sector's that provide a profit and the retail on tires is definitely not one of them.

In comparison, you can use a Bridgestone Battle-Ax in the same size that isn't original equipment - but you will not receive the same performance as the OE tire.

This. A few years ago I did some consulting work (data analysis) for a major tire manufacturer of both auto and moto tires. The work I did was related to their auto tire business, so I'll talk about it from that perspective, but I expect it's the same for moto tires: OEM tires are designed specifically for a given vehicle and optimized to deliver the best performance. Tire manufacturers care about this HUGELY because if the tire your car comes with sucks, you're much more likely to replace it with another brand. Each car's suspension is different and huge amounts of work and testing goes into optimizing the tire's design. Tire manufacturers normally make very little money (or even lose money) by developing OEM tires, but they are willing to do so because if they do a good job, they will make money on replacement tires.

 

[davidji]

The two worst modern radial moto tires I've had were original equipment, though I doubt either was model-specific. The OEM tires on my car weren't good either.

I've read this stuff about how awesome OEM tires are and I'm sure it applies in some cases. Maybe one day it will apply to one of my vehicles...

 

[mosquito]

Thanks, x42bnx.

 

[Zerox]

The two worst modern radial moto tires I've had were original equipment, though I doubt either was model-specific.

I've read this stuff about how awesome OEM tires are and I'm sure it applies in some cases. Maybe one day it will apply to one of my vehicles...

I never had a bike that needed specific tires. There might be some rare cases where a bike would benefit from this (like that BMW touring bike mentioned above) but I sure never experienced it.

 

[Marcoose]

I'm going to attempt to answer this question to the best of my ability, I am management at a Bridgestone warehouse and I get this question quite a bit but mostly from the BMW crowd.

First of all, when Bridgestone designed the tire - they designed it around the vehicle, to cater to the needs and specifics of which it's being put on. The tread compound is different, the materials are different as well.
It wasn't for profit, Bridgestone is gigantic and has many sector's that provide a profit and the retail on tires is definitely not one of them.

In comparison, you can use a Bridgestone Battle-Ax in the same size that isn't original equipment - but you will not receive the same performance as the OE tire.

Interesting, but somehow I understood OP's question the other way around. Meaning, motorbike makers put out a good-enough motorbike maximized for profits, and that will include a good enough saddle, levers, brake lines, etc, etc, and tyres, of course. When we see "bespoke" OEM tyres, it's the cheapest possible tyre just to get the motorbike out of the assembly line yet with the impression it's really good.

 

[CDONA]

Only two tires available for the rear on a TW200, knobby and dual sport. There are some that grind down the bead on ATV tires so they will fit the Moto style (vs car type bead) rim.
That big floaty tire gives this bike a set of abilities that no other style of bike has for off road.

 

[x42bnx]

Interesting, but somehow I understood OP's question the other way around. Meaning, motorbike makers put out a good-enough motorbike maximized for profits, and that will include a good enough saddle, levers, brake lines, etc, etc, and tyres, of course. When we see "bespoke" OEM tyres, it's the cheapest possible tyre just to get the motorbike out of the assembly line yet with the impression it's really good.

There are definitely some companies that do cheap out on their original equipment tires, and generally it's the run-of-the-mill economy based vehicles that are receiving sub-par quality (to bridgestone & michelin). All in the name of getting the vehicle on the street & keeping costs down.

Now, Bmw vehicles all mostly ride on OE RE050's, S04's and or Potenza 760 Sports. Generally RE050's because they are RFT. There probably isn't a better tire for that vehicle, in my honest opinion. But that is because BMW as a whole - cares about their customers & their experiences behind the wheel being as satisfying as possible.

However, the other side of the coin it does come down to whoever lands the contract and how much each tire will cost. For example, in the early 2000's Corvette landed in bed with Goodyear which developed the Eagle F1's for that particular vehicle.

But from my experience, the OE tires are a perfect blend of mileage & traction for that specific vehicle. You can definitely find tires that will last longer, or you can find tires that will handle better it can go both ways for sure.


PM for suggestions on your cars!

 

[eworthington]

Sometimes it's done for looks, as on my Honda Rune, where the exact size OEM front tire (150/60-17, IIRC) is ONLY made by Dunflop. Why would Dunlop do this? To lock in buyers into that specific size. Why would Honda design a bike with that specific size tire? For looks, because on that bike everything needs to look cool.

Oh, and the common replacement on the Rune front is a 180/60-17 rear tire. D'oh. But it looks good.

 

[clutchslip]

But from my experience, the OE tires are a perfect compromise of mileage & traction for that specific vehicle. You can definitely find tires that will last longer, or you can find tires that will handle better it can go both ways for sure.

Two OEM tires that I found very good. Goodyear Gatorbacks on a vette, and the Pirellis on every Jaguar. But, the Jag OEMs are Pirelli top-of-line, so there is no where to go, really. I had something with Michelins on it that were very good OEM, but I can't remember what the car was, anymore. I think it was a 124 Fiat Spyder, but I have excuses.

 

[Reli]

So that you feel like you have to buy replacements from the dealer.