Tires for motorcycles are typically rated for higher speeds, unlike tires for cars. Most motorcycles are higher performance vehicles than cars are, according to DunlopMotorcycle.com. They have a higher ratio of horsepower to vehicle weight.
Motorcycle tires have a smaller contact footprint. This refers to how much of a tire is in contact with the ground. Because a motorcycle does not remain upright when cornering, a smaller portion of the tires must bear weight, compared to a car's tires. Also, a car's weight is distributed over four tires, while a motorcycle's weight is carried by only two tires.
For all the stated reasons, motorcycle tires are subject to more wear than car tires and do not last as long. A motorcycle owner can extend the life of his tires by observing the speed limit, maintaining correct tire pressure, not exceeding load limits, and avoiding quick acceleration and hard braking.
