Motorcycle tires
The motorcycle is a two wheeled powered vehicle. Its two wheels have pneumatic tires for easy grip and travel on the road. When John Dunlop developed the worlds first pneumatic tire for a two wheeler he unleashed a massive industry. Presently the world wide global motorcycle industry churns out nearly 32.7 million motorcycles. This is projected to grow at the rate of 4.9 percent annually till 2009.
Most of the coming gains in motorcycle production and usage are in the developing and Asian economies, where motorcycles are seen as primary family and work vehicles. However the gains in industrialized nations, where motorcycles are seen as pleasure vehicles is also likely to be significant.
Thus the demand for motorcycle tires is very large. Thus the manufacture of motorcycle tires is a gigantic process/. Modern motorcycle tires are aided by computer data before manufacture. Also more than 200 different materials, both natural and synthetic are combined in the construction of a single tire. Materials used include natural rubber, carbon black, silica, sulfur, plastics, vulcanizing agents, Kevlar cords etc. Braided Kevlar Cord is a.025" diameter, eight strand, and tightly woven braided material. Its worth having a look at the worlds largest motorcycle tire manufacturers.
To start with we have the Dunlop Tires. Dunlop Tire has a romantic association with motorcycles. Its association starts the earliest as John Boyd Dunlop invented the modern pneumatic inflatable tire. This is an international United Kingdom-based company founded in 1888. Its first factory opened in Dublin in 1889. Dunlop Tires makes a large variety and types of motorcycle tires for all vehicles. Dunlop also has a close association with motorsport including motorcycle racing. Dunlop tires are now available all over the world.
Close on the heels of Dunlop is the Bridgestone tire company. This is a Japanese company and is in the process of manufacturing tires since 1931.As Japan manufactures and markets some of the marquee machines in the world like Honda and Yamaha its inevitable that a large part of the production should come from Japan. The name Ishibashi in Japanese which translates to stone bridge is the genesis of the name Bridgestone. Currently its the worlds second largest tire manufacturer in the world next to Michelin. Bridgestone has a vast range of motorcycle tires and are found all over the world
Next we have the Michelin Tires. This company also like Dunlop has a hoary past and was incorporated as far back as 1889.Michelin tires is on an expansion spree and in 1988 acquired the tyre and rubber manufacturing divisions of the American B.F. Goodrich Company which has a history dating back to 1870. Two years later in 1990 Michelin also added Uniroyal Inc., a business founded in 1892 as the United States Rubber Company to its cart. It must be remembered that Michelin is the worlds largest manufacturer of tires and though their factory came up in 1889 yet their
Activities date back to 1830 in vulcanized rubber:
Another name that conjures up a dream is The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. This again is an old company that has survived for more than a century. The company was founded by Harvey Firestone in the late 19th century. Initially they started by making pneumatic tires for wagons, buggies, and other forms of wheeled transportation common in the nineteenth century. They have now digressed to motor cars and motorcycles where they hold their own against the world best in terms of quality.
Another Japanese company that rules the roost is the Yokohama Rubber Company. This is the worlds seventh largest tire manufacturer. As is the practice with all Japanese companies the Yokohama rubber company has established a North American manufacturing and marketing arm - Yokohama Tire Corporation. Yokohama Tire Corporation. The company also maintains U.S. manufacturing capabilities and has a large distribution network with over 4500 outlets nation wide to cater to the American demand.
Another American company is The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. This is also a very old set up having been incorporated in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. It is one of the largest tire and rubber company in the world, and is based in Akron, Ohio. The Goodyear tire line has a large share of the motorcycle tire market and their products are competitive and value for money.
With the pendulum of the motorcycle and auto industry swinging towards Korea it is inevitable that some manufacturer of tires would emerge from Korea. This is in the form of Kumho tire company that is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. This company has three manufacturing plants in South Korea and two plants in China. Kumho tires are exported from Korea and China to all countries around the world. The Kumho and Marshal brands of tires are the name used by the company to market its products.
Lastly we have the Pirelli Tires. This is a smaller company but its products are rated as exceptional. Pirelli\'s history is very closely linked to the evolution of Motorsport. The 1907 Peking-Paris rally gave a fillip to the name of Pirelli and ever since this name is associated with motorcycles and auto sports for quality and endurance. Pirelli tires are known to offer tires for specific competitions that require a high level of technological competence.
No discussion would be complete without mentioning the Avon Tire company. Its a company that traces its pedigree to the nineteenth century. Avon motorcycle tires are a famous name in the motorcycle industry. You cant be a loser if you buy an Avon tire. However this company was acquired by the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Ohio, and USA in the nineties of the last century. Avon was originally a British company. Motorcycle tires are now into their own and with more and more motorcycle coming into the market the bike tire manufacturers can have a field day.
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