Tires: compatible tire size, passenger car tire, motorcycle tires

Question
 Mr. Smith,I would like to know if there is a car tire that can be interchanged with a motorcycle tire? The motorcycle tire wears out too quickly,about 5000 miles.For me that`s 2 or 3 tires ayear!The bike tire size is 210/50 zr 17.I think there are older tire styles that have (rounded edges).Thank you for your advice.           Roger

Answer
Roger,

In my opinion, NO!  3 reasons!

1)  Motorcycle (and bicycle tires, too!) work by leaning the vehicle onto a different part of the tire, so the tires are designed to be rounded in the tread area.  When you look at a passenger car tire and a motorcycle tire, that difference is quite obvious.

2)  The attachment to the rim is not only different, but the dimensions are incompatible.  In spite of the fact that the motorcycle tire says it is a 17" tire, it is really a 17.080" rim, while a passenger car tire is a 17.154" rim.

3)  the grip is different.  Motorcycles depend on a small contact patch compared to a passenger car.  As a result, motorcycle tires will wear more rapidly.  It's just a fact of life.