80V ONYX Tire (Sizing, Fitment, and Performance)

This page is part of the ONYX Suspension Wheels

Related:

• ONYX 72V Tire, Spoke, & Rim
• ONYX 80V Rim Repair

This post explains ONYX RCR 80V tire sizing, behavior, and real-world setup decisions.

If you just bought an ONYX 80V, this explains exactly what tire you have, what it means, and what you can safely change. This is not just a specification breakdown, it is a practical guide to how tire size, type, and setup affect how the bike actually rides.

Quick Start: What You Have

The ONYX 80V uses a motorcycle-standard tire setup:

• Stock street tire: 100/80-17
• Dual sport tire: 110/80-17

In real terms:

The stock setup is already balanced for real-world riding, and most riders do not need to change tires unless they are targeting a specific use case or visual style.

Street tires (100/80):

• Best efficiency and range
• Smooth and predictable handling
• Strong wet performance
• Optimized for pavement

Dual sport tires (110/80):

• Larger contact patch
• Better performance on rough surfaces
• More stable feel at speed
• More aggressive visual stance

The 80V is designed around motorcycle sizing, not moped sizing. This is why the tires are wider, more stable, and more sensitive to pressure and fitment.

Tires define both how the bike rides and how it looks:

• Street tires = cleaner, lighter profile
• Dual sport tires = heavier, more aggressive stance

How the Stock and Dual Sport Sizes Actually Feel

The ONYX 80V is designed around two primary tire sizes, and the difference between them is noticeable in how the bike rides.

100/80-17 (Stock Street Setup)

• Lighter and more responsive
• Quicker steering and easier handling
• Better acceleration and range
• Feels more precise, especially in city riding

This is the most balanced setup and what the bike is optimized for.

110/80-17 (Dual Sport / Wider Setup)

• Wider contact patch and more grip
• More stable and planted at speed
• Slightly smoother over rough surfaces
• Heavier steering and slower response

This setup feels more solid and aggressive, but trades some efficiency and agility.

Because both tires use an 80 ratio, the 110 also has a taller sidewall, which adds comfort and flex but reduces sharpness in handling.

Simple Decision Rule

• Choose 100/80 if you want efficiency, range, and quick handling
• Choose 110/80 if you want more grip, stability, and a wider, more aggressive feel
• Larger sizes require clearance verification and an understanding of fitment limits

System Overview

This setup is what gives the 80V its stable, planted feel compared to narrower or spoke-based systems. The tire is properly supported on a 17" cast rim, which reduces flex and improves consistency at speed.

The rim determines tire shape, support, and real-world behavior.

Tire Sizing: What the Numbers Mean

Example:

100/80-17

• 100 = tire width in millimeters
• 80 = sidewall height as a percentage of width
• 17 = rim diameter

These numbers directly determine how the tire behaves. Width affects grip and drag, while the sidewall ratio affects how the tire flexes, absorbs bumps, and responds to input.

For the 80V:

• 100/80 = baseline
• 110/80 = wider upgrade

These are the primary sizes for normal use on this platform.

How These Numbers Convert to Real Size

Motorcycle tires are labeled in millimeters, but most riders think in inches.

Width

• 1 inch = 25.4 mm

• 100 mm ≈ 3.9 inches

• 110 mm ≈ 4.3 inches

Sidewall Height

• 100/80 → 80% of 100 mm = 80 mm

• 110/80 → 80% of 110 mm = 88 mm

• 80 mm ≈ 3.1 inches

• 88 mm ≈ 3.5 inches

Wider tires increase both width and sidewall height when the ratio stays the same.

Sidewall Height and Ride Behavior

The sidewall is the part of the tire that flexes between the rim and the road.

On the 80V:

• 100/80 = 80 mm sidewall
• 110/80 = 88 mm sidewall

Sidewall height affects how the bike feels.

More Sidewall

• More compliance over bumps
• Smoother ride
• More forgiving on rough surfaces
• Slightly slower steering response

Less Sidewall

• Stiffer feel
• Faster response
• More direct feedback

Moving from 100 to 110 increases both width and sidewall height, which adds comfort and grip but slightly reduces responsiveness.

The sidewall also acts as a small secondary suspension, compressing and rebounding under load to help maintain traction.

What Changes When You Go Wider

Changing tire size changes how the bike rides.

Handling

• Wider tires feel more planted
• Steering becomes heavier and slower
• In tight riding or city conditions, the bike feels less responsive

Performance

• Increased rolling resistance
• More motor load during acceleration
• Noticeable reduction in efficiency in stop-and-go riding

Clearance

• Reduced space at fork and frame
• Increased risk under suspension compression

Real outcome:

• More grip and stability
• Less efficiency and agility
• Higher sensitivity to fitment limits

Wider tires improve traction but always trade off efficiency and responsiveness.

Tire Selection by Use Case

There is no single best tire. Every option is a tradeoff between grip, efficiency, and terrain capability.

Street Tires

• Michelin City Extra (100/80, 110/80)
• Continental ContiStreet (100/80, 110/80)
• IRC Road Winner (100/80)
• Bridgestone Battlax BT46 (100/80, 110/80)

Best for most riders.

• Maximum range and efficiency
• Predictable handling
• Strong wet performance

Performance Street

• Michelin Pilot Street 2 (100/80, 110/80)

• Pirelli Diablo Rosso Sport (100/80, 110/80)

• Pirelli Angel City (100/80, 110/80)

• Dunlop Arrowmax StreetSmart (100/80)

• Bridgestone Battlax S22 (select sizes)

• Higher grip

• Faster warm-up

• Increased corner stability

• Higher wear

Dual Sport

• Shinko 244 (100-110 class equivalent depending on spec)
• Shinko 241 (100 class)
• Kenda K761 (100/80, 110/80)
• Kenda K270 (100-110 class)
• IRC GP-1 (100 class)

Chosen for versatility.

• Works on mixed terrain
• Larger actual mounted size
• Reduced efficiency

Dual sport tires run larger than labeled size and must be clearance-checked.

Aggressive Off-Road

• Shinko 700 (110+ class equivalent)
• Kenda Trackmaster II (100-110+ range)
• Dunlop D605 (dual sport aggressive)

Only for terrain that requires it.

• Maximum traction
• Largest size increase
• Highest efficiency loss
• Highest clearance risk

Wet Road Performance and Traction

Water reduces friction between the tire and the road, making traction more dependent on tire design, pressure, and rider input.

Street Tires

• Best performance on wet pavement
• Tread patterns evacuate water effectively
• Consistent and predictable grip

Dual Sport Tires

• Reduced contact area on pavement
• Less stable during braking and cornering
• More variation in grip

Aggressive Off-Road Tires

• Least effective on wet pavement
• Reduced contact patch
• Unpredictable traction under braking or throttle

What You Will Feel

• Longer braking distances
• Reduced confidence when leaning
• Earlier loss of traction
• Increased sensitivity to throttle and braking input

Pressure Interaction

• Low pressure can make the bike feel vague and unstable
• High pressure reduces available grip

Practical Guidance

• Use smooth throttle and braking inputs
• Reduce lean angle
• Avoid painted lines and metal surfaces
• Maintain proper tire pressure

Fitment and Real-World Behavior

Baseline

• 100/80-17

Upgrade

• 110/80-17

Conditional

• Larger 110 variants depending on manufacturer
• Dual sport tires with oversized profiles

Risk zone

• Sizes above 110 class
• Aggressive knobby tires without verification

Real-world behavior:

• Labeled size does not equal mounted size
• Manufacturers vary significantly
• Dual sport tires run larger than street tires

For example, a dual sport tire labeled as 110 can measure significantly wider once mounted, which can reduce clearance enough to cause rubbing under suspension compression.

Always check clearance under full suspension compression.

Tire Pressure and Real-World Behavior

Tire pressure has an immediate and noticeable effect on how the bike feels.

Street

• 30-32 PSI

Stable and efficient.

Performance

• 28-30 PSI

• More grip

• Faster heat buildup

• Increased wear

Off-Road

• 22-26 PSI

• More traction

• More sidewall flex

• Increased deformation

Key Behavior

• Wider tires are more sensitive to pressure changes
• Lower pressure increases rolling resistance on pavement
• Underinflation reduces stability before it visibly affects wear
• Dual sport tires tolerate lower pressure due to construction

Tubeless System and Flat Repair

The 80V uses a tubeless system.

Behavior

• No inner tube
• Air seals at the bead
• Slower air loss during punctures

Advantages

• Fewer pinch flats
• Lower rolling resistance

Limitations

• Bead seal must be intact
• Some failures cannot be repaired roadside

Most punctures are manageable with a plug, but failures at the bead or sidewall can quickly become non-repairable situations.

Tire Installation, Rim Care, and Tubeless Considerations

The 80V uses a motorcycle-style tubeless system, not a bicycle tire setup.

• Tires are stiffer
• Beads are tighter
• More force and precision is required

The rim is cast aluminum and can be damaged by improper installation.

Potential issues:

• Scratches from tire tools
• Deformation at the bead seat
• Damage that leads to air leaks

The bead seal is critical. Damage to this surface can cause persistent leaks that are difficult to diagnose and fix.

In many cases, having a motorcycle shop mount and balance the tire is the safer option, especially for:

• First tire changes
• Dual sport or aggressive tires
• Lack of proper tools

For more detail, see the ONYX 80V rim repair post.

Constraints and Mistakes

Constraints

• Front clearance is tighter than rear
• Compression clearance must be checked
• Larger tires increase risk

Common Mistakes

• Choosing by labeled size only
• Ignoring mounted width differences
• Running incorrect pressure
• Installing oversized tires without verification

Most fitment issues come from assuming labeled size reflects actual mounted size.

Hard Rules

• Do not exceed sidewall PSI
• Do not run very low PSI on pavement
• Always verify clearance under compression

Final Notes

The ONYX 80V is built around:

• 100/80 baseline
• 110/80 upgrade

Small changes in tire size or pressure can have outsized effects on how the bike rides.

Final guidance:

• Stay within the 100 to 110 range unless you understand the tradeoffs
• Choose tires based on riding purpose and desired feel
• Respect fitment limits and pressure

Most problems come from ignoring clearance and assuming labeled size reflects real size.

Correct setup is straightforward once you understand how these variables interact.