I’ve read many comments on forums that many riders are now shifting to traditional spoked tube tires. And that’s why new riders keep asking, do motorcycle tires have tubes?

Many motorcycles still come with a tube in their tires; even riders love riding motorbikes with traditional-looking spokes with tube tires. In simpler words, classic-looking motorcycle tires have tubes. Although for everyday riding, tubeless tires offer you significant advantages over tube tires. 

Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it. While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned, so you get all information in simpler words. 

Do Motorcycle Tires have Tubes?

Before going further, you need to understand that there are two types of tires available out there. 

Tube and tubeless tires. 

So it depends on which tire you’re considering. As mentioned in the name, tube tires have tubes, while you won’t find any tubes in a tubeless tire.

Tube tires are also called traditional tires or classic tires. Generally, this type of tire comes with traditional-looking spokes. 

Many riders love this classic look, while some hate the tube tires’ classic look. 

Tubeless tires come with thicker single-layer protective units, while tube tires come with two layers; one is the exterior unit that touches the ground, and the other is the tube set beneath this outer layer. 

How Do You Know Your Motorcycle Tires have Tubes?

Figuring out your tire type isn’t rocket science, and there are many ways through which you can know whether your motorbike tire is tubeless or tube tire. 

Test for Identifying Tire Type:	Details:
Engraved on a tire.	You just need to observe your tire carefully, and you’ll see the tire type engraved on sidewalls.
Valve system.	After opening the air valve, you’ll see a small gap that opens between the rim and valve.
Spokes.	If the rim is a single cast rim with no traditional spokes, then the chances are the tire is tubeless.
Small mark.	In the tubeless tire, the small mark on the bead will touch the bottom of the bead.
Layers.	There’s more layer in tubeless tires which you can feel when touching the tire.

Engraved on it:

The first thing you need to see is the tire type engraved on your tire sidewalls. You just need to observe your tire carefully, and you’ll see the tire type engraved on it. 

However, sometimes you won’t see anything written on used tires as it’s erased due to heat and friction. 

In this situation, you can go for the next test mentioned below. 

Valve System:

Generally, in the tube tires, you’ll find the valve a little loose. And after opening this air valve, you’ll see a small gap that opens between the rim and valve. 

On the other hand, in tubeless tires, you’ll find this valve airtight, and you won’t see any small gap between the rim and valve. 

You can only see the valve system if the tire is yours by close inspection, and you won’t check the valve in someone else’s motorbike tire.

For knowing whether the motorbike tire is tubeless from a distance away, you can go for the next test mentioned below. 

Spokes:

I’m pretty sure you saw traditional spokes earlier in your life. 

If you want to see whether the tire is tubeless, just simply see the rim pattern. 

If the rim is a single cast rim with no traditional spokes, then the chances are that the tire is tubeless. 

And suppose you see a rim with traditional spokes. In that case, it might be a non-tubeless tire except if a rider bought classic-looking tubeless tires, which are expensive one. 

Or it might be possible the rider installed a tube in tubeless tires.

You can only confirm the motorbike has tube tires if it looks “vintage.”  

Small Mark:

Apart from embedded tire type on tire sidewalls, one thing which could tell you tire type is a minor marking. 

You’ve to figure out the small mark on the bead of the tire. In the tubeless tire, this small mark will touch the bottom of the bead.

However, in tube tires, this small will go way up, touching the side walls. Manufacturers made this small mark to protect tube tires from any leakage. 

And in tubeless tires, there are no such chances of air leakage, so it requires some kind of plane surface to make the tire more air leakage-proof. 

Layers:

You can also figure out the tire by touching the inner layer. But you can’t figure it out unless you work with tires. 

Those who know the difference between the tube and tubeless tires can determine by touching the inner layers. 

The more layers indicate the tire is a tubeless one. More layers are there to protect the tubeless tires from any kind of leakage. 

Do All Motorcycle Tires Tubeless?

So far, you have learned some ways to figure out what type of tires your motorbike comes with. Now the biggest question arises, are all motorbike tires tubeless?

Not all motorbike tires are tubeless; in fact, many riders still love vintage-looking tube tires. But due to high demand and more advantages offering, new riders are now focusing on tubeless tires. You can figure out tube tires by “vintage” look or tires with spokes.

The best thing is that you shift for tubeless tires even if you have tube tires. 

Also, read, do motorcycle tires expire? Here.

Tube VS Tubeless Tires, Which is Better?

There’re many debates still going on among riders about the tube vs. tubeless tires. 

Here you won’t learn the primary difference between the two; instead, you’ll get to know which type of tire is best for your needs. 

Tube Tires:

Tube tires, also called traditional tires or vintage-looking tires, are still popular among riders who love to see the vintage look on their motorbikes. 

This type of tire comes with dual layers: the exterior and the tube layer.  

The most significant advantage of tube tires is that they offer you excellent grip, and that’s why tube tires are fitted on off-road motorbikes. 

However, tube tires also have disadvantages like they burst and unstable the motorbike quickly. Tube tires leak too quickly if nails or something goes inside it, which, of course, is enough to make your motorbike unsafe. 

Additionally, because of traditional spokes, tube tires can’t be true airtight. If you want excellent stability, air leakage proof, then you should consider buying tubeless tires. 

Advantage of Tube Tires	Disadvantages of Tube Tires.
Tube tires offer a classical vintage look to your motorbike.	Tube tires burst instantly, which makes your motorbike unstable.
Tube tires also offer you a great grip for off riding.	Tube tires can’t be true airtight.

Tubeless Tires:

Tubeless tires are modern or new century tires; this type comes with complete air leakage-proof technology. 

The best thing about tubeless tires is that they don’t make your motorbike unstable if it punctures. Tubeless tires don’t inflate instantly if something goes inside them.

Tubeless tires also need less maintenance than tube tires which will save your money. 

Unfortunately, tubeless tires aren’t the best to offer you a grip, and that’s why many off-riders avoid installing tubeless tires in the motorbike. 

However, many manufacturers are now focusing on improving tubeless tire grip for off riding. 

Advantage of Tubeless Tires	Disadvantages of Tubeless Tires.
Tubeless tires don’t burst instantly; thus, they don’t make your motorbike unstable.	Tubeless tires don’t offer you much grip for off riding than tube tires.
Tubeless tires don’t require much maintenance and thus can save your money in the long run.	Tubeless tires are much more expensive than tube tires.

Which Motorbikes Come with Tube Tires: 

There’re many motorbikes still out there which come with tube tires. To offer you a great vintage look, manufacturers are still producing motorbikes with tube tires. 

Generally, off-riding motorbikes come with tube tires as they offer you excellent grip, which you might need while doing stunts and off-riding. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Do motorcycle tires have tubes? Many motorcycles still come with a tube in their tires; even riders love riding motorbikes with traditional-looking spokes with tube tires. 

In simpler words, classic-looking motorcycle tires have tubes. Although for everyday riding, tubeless tires offer you a significant advantage over tube tires. 

Tube and tubeless tires are both best for day-to-day riding. I’ve mentioned some advantages and disadvantages through which you can decide which one is best for you.