Why eMoto Tires Are So Confusing (And You're Not Alone)

Here's the thing nobody tells you when you buy a Sur-Ron, Talaria, or Segway X260: nobody makes tires specifically labeled "eMoto tires." You're shopping in a world built for gas-powered dirt bikes, mountain bikes, and trials bikes — and your electric dirt bike falls awkwardly between all of them.

So when your OEM tire wears out, you open up Google and immediately hit a wall. The stock tires are undersized and designed for cost, not performance. The tire sizing uses two completely different measurement formats. The rim sizes don't match full-size dirt bikes. And half the tires you find online don't fit your bike at all.

These are the three biggest pain points we hear from customers every day:

• Sizing confusion: What does "2.75-19" mean vs "70/100-19"? Are those the same thing? (Yes, mostly — more on that below.)
• Rim size mismatch: Stock eMoto rims are 19" front and rear. Most aftermarket MX tires are made for 21" fronts and 16"–18" rears. So you either stick with 19" options or upgrade your wheels.
• Terrain decisions: MX knobby, trials tire, dual-sport, or supermoto? The answer depends entirely on where you ride — and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

This guide cuts through all of it. By the end, you'll know exactly what tire fits your bike, which type suits your riding style, and which brands we trust and stock at Live the Gnar.

How to Read eMoto Tire Sizes (Without a Decoder Ring)

eMoto tires use two different sizing systems — and understanding both will save you a lot of headaches when shopping.

System 1: The Old Imperial Format (e.g., 2.75-19)

This is the traditional trials and small-bike format. The first number is the tire width in inches. The second number is the rim diameter in inches. So 2.75-19 = 2.75 inches wide, fits a 19-inch rim.

System 2: The Metric Format (e.g., 70/100-19)

This is the standard motocross format. The first number is the tire width in millimeters. The second number is the aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percentage of the width). The third number is the rim diameter in inches. So 70/100-19 = 70mm wide, 70mm tall sidewall, fits a 19-inch rim.

The Aspect Ratio: Why It Matters

A higher aspect ratio (like 100) means a taller, rounder sidewall — more cushion, better for rough terrain and lower pressures. A lower aspect ratio means a flatter, sportier profile — better for cornering on hard surfaces.

eMoto Tire Sizes by Bike Model

Find your bike, check the OEM size, and see what upgrade options exist.

Sur-Ron Light Bee X (LBX) & Segway X260

Talaria Sting (MX3), Sting R (MX4), Sting Pro (MX5)

Talaria XXX & Sur-Ron X160

Segway X160

eMoto Tire Types: Which Category Do You Need?

Now that you know your size, you need to pick the right type of tire. This decision has the biggest impact on how your bike actually handles.

Motocross (MX) Tires

Aggressive knobbies designed for dirt tracks, jump parks, and loose terrain. Large spaced-out lugs dig into soil for maximum traction. These are NOT DOT approved (not street legal) and wear fast on pavement or hard pack.

• Best for: MX tracks, pump tracks, jump parks, soft/intermediate dirt
• Not good for: street riding, hard rocky trails, daily commuting
• Key brands: Bridgestone Battlecross X30, Dunlop Geomax MX33/MX53, Kenda

Trials Tires

Originally designed for observed trials riding, these have become the go-to tire for most eMoto riders — lightweight, versatile, and they work well on hard pack and moderate trails without trashing the terrain.

• Best for: trail riding, hard pack, rocky terrain, urban/park riding, mixed-use
• Not good for: deep mud, fully soft MX tracks
• Key brands: Shinko SR241, Shinko SR244, Michelin Trials

Dual Sport / Adventure Tires

A middle ground between street and dirt. Usually DOT-approved for road use. Good tread life, versatile across surfaces, but won't excel at the extremes of either street or off-road.

• Best for: street/trail mix, neighborhood ripping, light trails
• Not good for: aggressive MX riding, deep off-road
• Key brands: Shinko SR244, MotoZ Tractionator, Goldentyre GT216AA

Supermoto / Street Tires

Smooth or minimally-treaded tires designed for pavement. These offer the best grip on asphalt and the longest tread life on streets. Some eMoto riders convert to full supermoto setups with 17" wheels.

• Best for: street riding, parking lots, supermoto-converted bikes
• Not good for: any off-road, wet pavement at speed
• Key brands: Michelin Pilot Street 2, Shinko SR777, Bridgestone M204

Enduro / Hard Enduro Tires

Designed for rocky, technical terrain. Tall flexible sidewalls, rugged compound, open-spaced knobs that shed mud and grip rocks. Excellent for gnarly trail systems and extreme terrain.

• Best for: technical trail riding, rocks, roots, extreme enduro terrain
• Not good for: street use, high-speed MX tracks
• Key brands: Goldentyre GT216AA "Fatty," MotoZ Tractionator Desert

Terrain Match-Up Guide: Pick Your Tire by How You Ride

The Dirty Truth About MX Tires on OEM Wheels

Most full-size MX tires in aggressive knobbies aren't available in 19" sizes. The industry standard for MX is a 21" front / 16" or 18" rear setup. To run those tires, you need to upgrade your wheels — which is a real modification, not just a tire swap. The 19×19 OEM setup opens you up to a solid selection of trials, dual sport, and light MX tires — it's just a different world than what full-size gas bikes run.

Tire Pressure Matters More on eMoto Bikes

Because these bikes are lighter, tire pressure has a noticeable effect on handling. A good starting baseline:

• Trails / off-road: 12–15 PSI front, 14–16 PSI rear
• Street / hard pack: 18–22 PSI front, 20–24 PSI rear
• Technical rocky terrain: 10–12 PSI (consider a mousse insert for flat protection)

Best Brands for eMoto Tires in 2025

Shinko — The Most Versatile eMoto Brand

Shinko is the most eMoto-friendly brand on the market right now. Their SR241 and SR244 lines come in sizes that fit OEM 19" rims, are lightweight, and perform well in the mixed-terrain conditions most eMoto riders face.

• SR241 (Trials) — the community's most popular eMoto tire. Great for trails, hard pack, and urban riding. Available in 2.75-19 for direct OEM fitment on Sur-Ron/Talaria.
• SR244 (Dual Sport) — slightly smoother tread, excellent for mixed street/trail. DOT approved. The pick for street-leaning riders.
• SR777 (Street) — for supermoto builds or primarily street riding. Excellent tread life on pavement.

Goldentyre — The Extreme Enduro Choice

Goldentyre's GT216AA "Fatty" series is legendary in the hard enduro world — proven at Red Bull Extreme Enduro events with riders like Graham Jarvis and Jonny Walker. The oversized profile and tall, flexible sidewall are exceptional for technical rocky terrain.

• The "Fatty" (90/100-21) is a front tire for upgraded wheel builds — oversized profile rolls over logs, rocks, and ledges.
• The "Chubby" (90/90-21) is slightly trimmer with excellent grip on intermediate terrain.
• The "Razor Blade" variant is optimized for hard pack and rocky surfaces.

MotoZ — Trail and Adventure Performance

MotoZ makes some of the best dual-sport and enduro-oriented tires for riders who spend serious time in the dirt. Their Tractionator line delivers deep-tread grip in varied conditions and is built for longevity.

Bridgestone, Dunlop, Kenda — For Upgraded Wheel Setups

These brands dominate the full-size MX and enduro world and have excellent options — but most of their aggressive tires come in 21" front / 16" or 18" rear sizes that require wheel upgrades. If you've already swapped rims, these open up a world of top-tier performance options.

Michelin — Best Street / Supermoto Option

The Michelin Pilot Street 2 has become a favorite for supermoto-converted eMoto builds. Originally designed for small-displacement motorcycles, it delivers exceptional grip on pavement and impressive longevity.

Shop eMoto Tires at Live the Gnar

We stock the tires eMoto riders actually need — in the sizes that actually fit. Here's what we carry:

Stock Wheels vs. Upgraded Wheels: What You Need to Know

The OEM 19×19 Setup

Stock Sur-Ron and Talaria bikes ship with 19" front and rear wheels — a setup borrowed from the trials world. The narrow rim width (around 1.4"–1.6") limits the tire widths you can safely run. The upside: the OEM setup keeps the bike light and nimble, and there's a solid selection of 19" trials and dual-sport tires available.

Popular Wheel Upgrade Options

Rotational Mass: The eMoto Difference

On a 250-pound gas dirt bike, adding a pound or two of tire weight is barely noticeable. On a 50-pound eMoto, it's significant. Heavier tires increase rotational mass, which directly impacts acceleration, handling agility, and battery range. Go with the lightest tire that handles your terrain well.

Frequently Asked Questions