Motorcycle wheel and tire accessories buying guide | How to keep your bike rolling for the long term
Your motorcycle tires and wheels are the only part of the bike that ever touch the tarmac (hopefully), so it’s important to have some wheel and tire accessories and tools on hand to keep them in good nick. These accessories and tools help you perform little maintenance tasks that keep your bike ready for every ride — because the open road should beckon you on, not taunt you while your bike’s out of action.
There are plenty of accessories and tools available for the wheels and tires of your ride, all designed for different purposes. From checking tire pressures and tread depth, to inflating them, protecting your bodywork from grime, and more.
What to consider before buying
Compatibility
For some wheel and tire accessories, it can be important to consider whether it will work with your bike. Puncture repair kits, for example, typically only work with either tubed or tubeless tires, and fender extenders will be made to fit a specific model of bike.
Size and weight
Some wheel and tire accessories might look lighter than they are, whereas some are no bigger than a pencil. In each case consider what you’ll be using it for, and whether the size and weight will work for you.
Accuracy
If you need to measure things like tire pressures or tread depth, these should be accurate, but consider how important this is for you, and weigh up your options based on your budget.
Build quality
Investing in good quality and durable tools is an investment in your bike too, and wheel and tire accessories are no exception. If you go with the best quality that you can afford, your bike will pay you back with cheaper garage bills in return.
The best motorcycle wheel and tire accessories and tools
Tire inflators
Having a tire inflator at home means you don’t need to take a trip to the petrol station just to top up the air in your tires. You can quickly and easily change your tire pressures when you need to for riding two-up, testing different pressures on a track day, or inflate them if you’re changing tires at home.
Rrp: $98.00
Rrp: $98.00
"This is one of the best things I’ve bought in a while, as it means no more goofing around with footpumps or airlines. This Milwaukee product is tough and robust with excellent design features, such as having rubber-mounted dampers on its legs so it doesn’t rattle when in use.
"The screw-on valve adaptor is much more secure and easier to use than the clip-on type, and there’s a selection of other adaptors for different applications. You can preset the desired pressures, and it cuts off when it gets there. I initially used the M12 2amp battery, but this wasn’t really powerful enough, so ended up purchasing a pattern 6amp option which is brilliant. The inflator can be bought with charger and a battery from $152.99."
Pros
- Professional quality kit, with incredible attention to detail
- Uses the easier screw-on type adaptor, with different size adaptors included
- Automatically cuts out when the set pressure is reached
Cons
- Battery not included, which is an extra expense if you don't have other Milwaukee tools
| Max inflation pressure | 120PSI |
| Weight | 1.9kg |
| Dimensions | 19cm x 16.5cm x 19cm |
- Compact lightweight design for fast inflation of car, light truck and compact equipment tyres
- Anti-Vibration Stand - all rubber feet for no movement while inflating
- Auto shut-off technology inflates to users pre-selected pressure for highly accurate inflation
- Illuminated LCD display with a digital pressure and fuel gauge that displays remaining charge
"The joy of never being able to think of sensible (non-bike-shaped) Christmas and birthday present ideas is that I sometimes have moments of inspiration and end up owning things I’d never buy for myself. This Ryobi high-pressure inflator is a case in point. Gifted by my sister at Xmas, it’s been pressed into action now across my six bikes, two cars and a camper van – as well as several mountain bikes, a paddling pool and one inflatable camping bed. It’s certainly got plenty of huff to puff.
"You don’t get a battery with it – I didn’t need one as I’ve got other Ryobi tools already and the batteries fit all tools – but the 4.0Ah unit I’ve got would set you back another $55 or so. The unit will chug out a decent 16 litres of air per minute and can deliver up to 150psi (10.34bar) of pressure, which is dramatically more than you’ll need for any bike or car tire. The hose is 20in long and comes with a right-angled connector for the valve. I’ve not had any difficulty connecting it to my various different bikes’ valve arrangements. It comes with a set of connectors for your other inflatable needs, too – whatever they may be!
"It’s a doddle to use. Simply slot your battery in place, connect to the valve of your chosen inflation victim, and squeeze the trigger. It’s not the quietest thing ever, but is completely in line with every other electric powered inflator I’ve used. As the pressure builds, the analogue dial will give you a reasonable idea of the psi/bar figure – but I’ve noticed that it’s not super-accurate, or necessarily consistent. Overall, I’d say it over-reads by around 5-10% most of the time, so I tend to overinflate by about that figure, then check the pressure manually with a Venhill gauge for accuracy. Afterall, 10% out is 3 or 4psi on a bike tire, which can make a fair bit of difference to feel and tire performance on some bikes.
"So, it’s not the cheapest, nor the most accurate – but if you’ve got a fleet of vehicles and an aversion to manual labour, it’s a pleasing way to dodge some effort."
Pros
- Plenty of power, for more than just motorcycle tyres
- A doddle to use — just point and shoot!
- Comes with a set of connectors for other jobs
Cons
- Not very accurate, nor consistent, with its pressure reading
- No battery included, which is an extra cost if you don't have other Ryobi tools
| Max inflation pressure | 150PSI |
| Weight | 600g |
| Size | 8.2cm x 18.7cm x 23.7cm |
- Rapidly inflate car tyres in under 2 minutes up to 32psi (max. 150psi/10.3bar)
- Easy-view pressure gauge for quick assessment and primarily for safe driving
- Compact design allows for quick and neat storage
- 50cm (20”) flexible hose with a variety of nozzles including thumb lock tyre Valve,
- Resto value, sports ball needle and high-pressure tapered nozzle
- Convenient on-board storage of extra nozzles
Gauges
From tire pressures to tread depth, keeping an eye on the condition of your tires is important, as poorly maintained tires are one of the easiest ways to end up in a potentially dangerous situation on the road. Thankfully, a gauge is all you need to check on your tires, and they’re compact and cheap enough that there’s always room in the garage for one. If you haven’t got one yet, here are our favourite gauges to help you keep your wheels and tires in good nick:
Tested by Rich Newland for eight years
"You might think your on-pump gauge is good enough, or that the digital beepy blighters in petrol stations are OK – but they’re really not. They’re often out by well over 5psi in either direction, which is a huge variance on a 36psi target."Potentially hazardous if underinflated – downright dangerous if overinflated. Think you won’t feel the difference? You will. For under $30, I can’t recommend a proper gauge highly enough, and this Venhill one has done me proud for nearly a decade.
"It’s got a guaranteed tolerance of +/- 1.2 to 1.8psi (which you won’t feel), has a pressure range of 0-60psi (0-4bar) that’ll cover all motorcycling uses from trials to road riding (and your car/caravan/trailer/van etc), is made like a Swiss watch, has a rubber body protector, clear 2inch gauge, and a pleasing braided hose line.
"At the end of the hose is a chunky valve connector that is usefully angled at 90-degrees, and which also spins through 360-degrees. There’s also a useful bleed valve to let you come down to the right pressure without disconnecting."
Pros
- Well made and accurate
- Very easy to use, with a clear gauge
Cons
- Only shows up to 60psi, which is enough for motorcycle tyres but nothing higher pressure
| Display | Analog |
| Max inflation pressure | 60PSI |
- Stainless steel braided hose
- 90 degree chuck and 360 degree rotation
- Air bleed valve
"When you’re at a track day, one of the most important considerations is tire pressure. I’ve been running 36PSI front and 42PSI rear on my R7 with Pirelli’s wonderful Diablo Rosso IVs on the road, but drop that to 32PSI at both ends for circuit use as I strive to complete my mission and ride all the BSB circuits this year.
"It means I need a way to accurately drop pressures, so step forward this useful 'classically styled' gauge from Oxford.
"It’s a solidly built gauge that holds the peak pressure reading until you press the reset button, allowing you to use it in confined spaces such as a garage.
"The reset button also bleeds air pressure from the tire, meaning you can accurately measure the precise pounds-per-square-inch needed for your hoops to perform perfectly.
"The gauge itself is large and simple to read, with a tough acrylic window that has stood up to everything I’ve thrown at it.
"My only criticism is the 360-degree swivelling head, which can prove fiddly to get onto the valve at times. I’d prefer one that attached to the valve rather than having to hold it on to operate. The 36cm hose is extremely solid and thus tough to bend, which can make accessing the valve a little tricky as well.
"However, for the money I’m impressed. It’s been with me on multiple track days so far, and I’ve always been glad of its compact dimensions when cramming my kit into a rucksack. It’ll work up to 60PSI, so would be suitable for a small trailer or caravan as well as your bike and any cars you’ve got access to."
Pros
- Reset button lets you bleed air from the tyres, which helps you get to the right pressure quicker
- The gauge itself is large and simple to read
Cons
- The 360° swivelling head can prove fiddly to get onto the valve at times
| Display | Analogue |
| Max inflation pressure | 60psi |
- 2 steel case and fascia ring tough acrylic window
- Holds the peak pressure reading pressure bleeding button
- 14/36cm flexible hose with a 360° swivelling angled head
- Gauge unit protected in a rubber casing
Tested by Rich Newland for five months:
"I’ve had a pencil-style depth gauge for about 40 years, but never really trusted it was accurate, so I’ve embraced the digital era and bought this Draper digital unit so I can be accurate to an unnecessarily detailed ±0.01mm (or 0.00039”). It’s superbly simple to use."Supplied with a battery (it uses the easily available SR44) all you need to do is turn it on, ideally calibrate it each time on a flat surface by pressing the ‘Zero’ button, then extend the probe and locate it at the lowest point in the tread, then push main body down until it’s flat on the raised tread. Et voila, one digital read-out (in metric or imperial) of the depth of tread available."
Pros
- Incredibly accurate (almost unnecessarily so), and superbly simple to use
- Comes with a battery included, and they're easily replaceable if needed
Cons
- Ideally needs to be re-calibrated before each use
| Display | Digital |
- Accurate - Measuring range is 0-25mm/0-1" with an accuracy of 001mm/000039"
- Easy Read - LCD display screen delivers easy reading and suitable for mm and inches
- Portable - Lightweight 56g tyre tread depth gauge for easy carry on the go use
Puncture repair kits
The one wheel and tire accessory you always have but hope you never use: You never want to get caught out without a puncture repair kit. They’re cheap enough that if you run tubeless tires, these puncture repair kits are an absolute no-brainer:
Big seller on Amazon
“This kit (and similar others from the same brand) routinely sell well in Amazon sale events such as Prime Day and Black Friday and so we bought one to see what all the fuss was about.
“The kit comes in a handy leatherette a bit like a small washbag and as soon as you pick it up, you notice the weight. I’ve used the Ranger Stork kit previously, which weighs considerably less with its simpler and more manual tools.
“I’ve only repaired one puncture with the kit but it’s really easy to use. It takes a little longer than a glue stick system due to the added steps of using the tool but we’re talking maybe a minute or so.
“If you wanted to use this kit as a wilderness repair option then you’d have to get some CO2 canisters (adding to the cost) or carry a pump (extra luggage) but the repair itself could be done anywhere.
“The mushroom design of the plug provides a really good seal and the colleague whose bike had the puncture carried on as normal afterwards. The manufacturer advises a 50mph limit and 100-mile range on a repaired tire, which we completely ignored (don't try this at home, kids).”
Pros
- Compact and portable kit
- Uses mushroom plugs instead of strips
- Comes with applicator system
- No mess, as the plugs come pre-lubricated
Cons
- No re-inflation kit included
- Slightly more complicated to fit than strips
- Lesser known brand
| Tyre tye | Tubeless |
| Repair type | Temporary |
- 15 mushroom plugs
- 1 reamer tool
- 1 knife
- 1 mini applicator gun
- Carry case included
"There’s nothing fun about waiting for recovery with a puncture. But carry a repair kit and you’re soon rolling again. This particular pack has been part of my essential kit for the past two years. It has saved the day when road testing on more than one occasion. As a result, it has paid for itself at least twice over.
"It comes with full instructions and includes everything you need to plug a hole. Though it can get a bit messy once you start squirting the glue around. A good tip is to put some latex gloves in the accompanying storage pouch.
"There’s enough material to fix 5 punctures. However, the CO2 canisters supplied will only inflate one tire. Top-ups are available separately though ($13.95 for four). So replace them as you use them without needing to buy a full kit every time. Use it to limp home, then get the repair properly inspected and plugged by your preferred tire specialist."
Pros
- Complete and compact kit, including enough CO2 canisters for one use
- Replacement canisters are easy to find
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Can be messy to apply the glue
- CO2 canisters are potentially hazardous in extreme heat
| Tyre type | Tubeless |
| Repair type | Temporary |
- 5 glue strips
- 1 insertion tool
- 3 16g CO2 canisters
- 1 valve
- 1 knife
- 1 reamer tool
- 1 CO2 canister cover
- 1 rubber solution
- 1 carry pouch
Fender Extenders and Mudguards
Not everyone likes the look of a fender extender or mudguard, but they’re one of the best ways to keep dirt off your bike so it doesn’t accumulate as quickly. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, these are our favourite fender extenders and mudguards to consider:
"I’ve used an Avant on an R1200GS, R1250GS, and now the R1300GS, because they’re so good that you’d be mad not to fit one. The increased area (6in longer and 1.25in wider than the fender) makes a significant difference to the amount of detritus being flung from the front wheel straight into the BMW’s big flat front engine plate.
"The fit is absolutely perfect, too. Simply add the protective film to the fender, slide the Avant into place, and tension the two gripping retainers – one on each side. And that’s it. No drilling, cutting or sticky pads. And that also means that you can remove it and reuse it without leaving any marks or damage."
Pros
- Makes a significant difference to the amount of dirt being flung onto the bike
- Perfect fit, with no tools needed to install
Cons
- The fit is bike-specific, and might not be available for your bike — double check it will fit before you buy
| Size | 6" (L) x 1.25" (W) |
- Easy, no drill installation
- Adds 6" (15cm) to the length
- Wide, but looks slim
How MCN tests products
Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We test our wheel and tire accessories the same way you’ll use yours, by maintaining our own bikes with them. Our word is backed by thousands of hours in the workshop and hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.
While testing, we mainly focus on build quality, ease of use, and value. When we write up our full reviews, we’ll give each wheel and tire accessory a rating out of five stars in each of these categories, and offer a final verdict too. This page is only for the best wheel and tire accessories, so each one you’ll see has been awarded at least four stars overall – that’s the passing grade – but here’s what each score really means:
1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A wheel or tire accessory with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A wheel or tire accessory with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level, and there is much room for improvement.
3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A wheel or tire accessory with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
4 stars – A wheel or tire accessory has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A wheel or tire accessory with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
5 stars – A wheel or tire accessory has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A wheel or tire accessory with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.
To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.
- Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.
