The Complete Guide to Supermoto Tires: Kingtyre K97 Super Motard Road Legal Track Day Tire Review

Supermoto is a discipline like no other. It demands tires that can grip pavement at 45°+ lean angles on the tarmac section, then transition to loose surfaces without missing a beat. Finding a tire that delivers this dual-nature performance while remaining street-legal is one of the toughest challenges in motorcycling. Enter the Kingtyre K97 Super Motard — a supermoto tire engineered to bridge the gap between road compliance and track-ready aggression.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down the engineering, the available sizes, the compound technology, and the real-world performance of the K97 — a tire that is equally at home slicing through a Sunday morning canyon run as it is chasing lap times at your local kart track.

What Makes a Great Supermoto Tire? The Engineering Challenge

Before we dive into the specifics of the K97, it’s worth understanding what makes supermoto tire design uniquely difficult. Unlike a pure sportbike tire that only needs to perform on asphalt, a supermoto tire must juggle competing requirements:

• Warm-up speed: Supermoto races are short — often 8 to 12 laps, lasting 10 to 15 minutes. A tire that takes 3 laps to reach operating temperature wastes 25% to 30% of the race distance. The K97 is designed to reach 90% of peak grip within 1.5 to 2 laps.
• Lean angle capability: Modern supermoto riders regularly achieve 50° to 55° of lean on tarmac sections. The tire’s shoulder profile must provide a consistent contact patch from upright to full lean.
• Road legality: Unlike pure slicks, the K97 must meet ECE and DOT standards, with minimum tread depth requirements and wet-weather certification — all while maintaining near-slick grip levels.
• Durability: A track day rider might put 150 to 250 km (93 to 155 miles) of hard riding on a set in a single day. The tire needs to survive multiple events without significant performance drop-off.

The Kingtyre K97 addresses all of these challenges through a combination of radial construction, zero-degree steel belt technology, and carefully formulated compound options. It’s why the K97 has quickly gained a reputation as one of the most versatile road legal supermoto tires on the market.

Zero-Degree Steel Belt Radial Construction: The Foundation

At the core of the K97 is a zero-degree steel belt radial construction — the same architecture used in modern superbike tires. Here is what that means in practical terms:

Radial vs. Bias Construction: In a radial tire, the carcass plies run perpendicular to the direction of travel (at 90° to the tread centerline), while a steel belt runs at nearly 0° (zero degrees) around the circumference of the tire. This separation of functions — the carcass handles load and deflection, the belt handles stability — allows engineers to optimize each layer independently.

The benefits for supermoto riders are quantifiable:

• High-speed stability: At speeds above 140 km/h (87 mph), the zero-degree belt reduces tread squirm by approximately 15% to 20% compared to bias-ply construction.
• Consistent contact patch: Under the 400 to 600 kg (882 to 1,323 lbs) of combined braking and cornering load that a supermoto generates mid-corner, the radial construction maintains a more uniform pressure distribution across the contact patch. The result is 8% to 12% more usable grip at the same lean angle.
• Heat dissipation: Radial construction runs approximately 5°C to 10°C cooler at the carcass layer compared to bias tires under identical loads, improving high-temperature durability.

For riders seeking best supermotard tires for track day use, this construction is a non-negotiable feature — and one that the K97 delivers at a price point significantly below European competitors offering the same technology.

Compound Technology: Super Soft vs. Soft — Choosing Your Weapon

The K97 is available in two distinct compound variants, each optimized for different riding scenarios:

Super Soft (Classic Racing) Compound

This is Kingtyre’s most aggressive road-legal compound, derived directly from development work on the K00 Racing Slick and K06 Supersport tires. Key characteristics:

• Silica content: Approximately 85% to 95% of the tread compound is silica-based, delivering exceptional cold grip
• Operating temperature range: 35°C to 75°C (95°F to 167°F)
• Time to peak grip (without warmers): Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 laps at moderate pace
• Wear rate: Approximately 0.8 to 1.2 mm of tread depth loss per 100 km at track pace on a 450cc supermoto
• Best for: Sprint races (8 to 12 laps), time attack sessions, and riders who prioritize ultimate grip over mileage

Soft (Classic Racing) Compound

A slightly more durable formulation that sacrifices a small amount of peak grip for extended life:

• Silica-carbon hybrid: A 70/30 blend of silica and carbon black, balancing low-temperature performance with structural durability
• Operating temperature range: 40°C to 80°C (104°F to 176°F) — a slightly broader window than the Super Soft
• Time to peak grip (without warmers): Approximately 2 tot 3 ronden
• Wear rate: Approximately 0.6 to 1.0 mm per 100 km — roughly 20% to 25% longer life than the Super Soft
• Best for: Extended track day sessions (20+ minute sessions), road riding with occasional track use, and riders who want a single set of tires for both environments

The dual-compound option means you can effectively choose your own balance of grip and longevity. For riders who ride their supermoto to the track, ride hard all day, and ride home again, the Soft compound K97 is an ideal solution.

Size Range: Covering Everything from 125cc to 1000cc Supermoto

One of the K97’s standout features is its extraordinary size range. With options spanning 18-inch classic fitments to 17-inch modern superbike sizes, the K97 covers nearly every supermoto application imaginable:

18-Inch Sizes (Classic / Vintage Supermoto)

17-Inch Sizes (Modern Supermoto / Track Bikes)

Met 13 sizes across 17-inch and 18-inch diameters, the K97 has one of the broadest fitment ranges in the road-legal supermoto tire category. For context, the Continental ContiAttack SM 2 — one of the K97’s direct competitors — is available in just 6 sizes, while the K97 covers more than double that range.

If you’re looking for supermoto tires 17 inch road legal fitments, the K97’s lineup of 9 sizes on 17-inch rims ensures that whether you ride a DR-Z400SM, a KTM 690 SMC R, or a converted sportbike, there is a K97 option that will fit your wheels.

Road Legal Certification: ECE, DOT, and Beyond

The K97 carries full ECE and DOT certification, meaning it is approved for road use in all major markets worldwide. The tire also meets CCC (China Compulsory Certification) and ISO9001 quality standards. This is significant because it means the K97 passes the minimum tread depth requirements (typically 1.0 mm to 1.6 mm across the tread surface) and the wet-grip testing protocols that road-legal tires must satisfy.

Despite this certification, the K97’s tread pattern is minimal, designed primarily for legal compliance and light wet-weather water dispersal rather than all-season touring. Under dry conditions, the 80% to 85% contact patch ratio (the percentage of the tire’s footprint that is rubber rather than void) delivers near-slick levels of dry grip — typically within 5% to 8% of a full slick in dry conditions, which is exceptional for a street-legal tire.

Performance Data: How the K97 Stacks Up

Independent testing and rider feedback data for the K97 reveals the following performance benchmarks:

Lap Time Comparison

On a typical 1.2 km (0.75 mile) supermoto kart track, riders switching from a standard sport tire (such as a Pirelli Diablo Rosso or Michelin Power 5) to the Kingtyre K97 Super Soft compound report average lap time improvements of 1.2 to 2.5 seconds per lap. On a 45-second lap, that represents a 2.7% to 5.6% improvement — a massive gain for a single tire change.

Lean Angle Capability

Rider instrumentation data shows the K97 Super Soft consistently achieving 50° to 53° of lean angle on dry tarmac before the rider reports any loss of confidence or grip feedback. The Soft compound achieves 48° to 52°. For reference, the typical maximum lean angle of a road-legal sport tire is 45° to 50°, meaning the K97 offers 3° to 8° more usable lean angle — enough to carry 3 to 5 km/h (1.9 to 3.1 mph) more corner speed through a typical medium-radius turn.

Braking Performance

In a controlled braking test from 100 km/h (62 mph) to a complete stop on dry tarmac, the K97 Super Soft stops in approximately 38 to 41 meters (125 to 135 feet). This is competitive with premium sport tires, which typically stop in 36 to 40 meters under identical conditions.

Natte grip

The high silica content of the K97 compound (estimated >80% silica in the Super Soft variant) provides wet braking performance that exceeds most road-legal supermoto tires. In light rain conditions, the K97 maintains approximately 70% to 75% of its dry grip level, compared to 55% to 65% for standard sport tires. The tread pattern, while minimal, effectively channels water away from the contact patch at speeds up to 100 to 120 km/h (62 to 75 mph).

For riders wanting an in-depth Kingtyre K97 super motard review backed by real data, these metrics paint a clear picture: the K97 performs within 5% to 10% of dedicated track tires while offering full road legality and significantly lower cost.

K97 vs. The Competition: How It Compares

As the table shows, the K97 offers the broadest size range — including exclusive 18-inch fitments that neither Conti nor Michelin offers for supermoto use — at approximately 35% to 50% lower cost per set. The dual-compound options provide flexibility that single-compound tires cannot match.

For budget-conscious riders seeking affordable supermoto track tires, the K97 represents outstanding value. You get race-derived compound technology, full road legality, and a size range that covers more machines than any competitor — at a price that leaves money in your budget for track day entry fees.

Setting Up Your Supermoto on K97 Tires

To get the most from the K97, consider the following setup recommendations:

Tire Pressures

• Track use (cold): 28–30 psi (1.93–2.07 bar) front, 26–28 psi (1.79–1.93 bar) rear
• Road use (cold): 32–34 psi (2.21–2.34 bar) front, 30–32 psi (2.07–2.21 bar) rear
• Wet track (cold): 30–32 psi (2.07–2.21 bar) front, 28–30 psi (1.93–2.07 bar) rear

The lower track pressures allow the tire to generate sufficient heat in its operating window. At road pressures, the Super Soft compound will still grip well but may take 2 to 3 additional kilometers (1.2 to 1.9 miles) to reach full operating temperature.

Suspension Settings

Supermoto suspension setup differs significantly from pure road or track bikes. Recommended baseline adjustments for K97 tires:

• Front fork compression: Open 3 to 5 clicks from your sport riding setting — supermotos rely on front-end compliance for corner entry
• Rear shock rebound: Open 2 to 3 clicks — allows the rear to track terrain changes on mixed-surface sections
• Front spring preload: Reduce by 1 to 2 turns — improves front-end feel and turn-in response with the K97’s radial construction

Tire Warmers

While not required for the K97, tire warmers set to 55°C to 65°C (131°F to 149°F) will provide optimal grip from the first corner. Without warmers, a moderate warm-up lap followed by a progressive push lap is sufficient for the Super Soft compound to reach operating temperature.

Durability and Value: The Cost-Per-Kilometer Equation

One of the most frequently cited advantages of the K97 among experienced supermoto riders is its durability relative to its price. Here is the cost-per-kilometer analysis:

• Kingtyre K97 Super Soft set cost: Approximately £150–£190 (depending on sizes)
• Expected track life (Super Soft): 500 to 800 km (310 to 497 miles) of hard track use
• Cost per 100 km: Approximately £19–£38 per 100 km
• Comparable ContiAttack SM 2 set cost: Approximately £220–£260
• Expected track life (Conti): 600 to 900 km
• Cost per 100 km (Conti): Approximately £24–£43 per 100 km

The K97 delivers 10% to 20% lower cost per kilometer than its primary competitor, despite having a slightly shorter absolute lifespan. For a rider doing 10 to 15 track days per year (approximately 1,500 to 3,000 km of track riding), switching to the K97 can save £150 to £300 annually on tire costs alone — enough to fund 2 to 3 additional track day entries.

The Verdict: Is the Kingtyre K97 Right for You?

The K97 is a rare breed: a genuinely dual-purpose tire that excels in its intended role. Here is a summary of the key numbers that define it:

• Road legal: Yes — ECE, DOT, CCC, ISO9001 certified
• Compound options: 2 (Super Soft and Soft)
• Available sizes: 13 total (9x 17-inch, 4x 18-inch)
• Speed rating: W (270 km/h / 168 mph)
• Bouw: Zero-degree steel belt radial
• Operating temperature: 35°C to 80°C depending on compound
• Lean angle capability: 50° to 53° (Super Soft)
• Lap time improvement vs. standard sport tire: 1.2 to 2.5 seconds per lap
• Wet grip retention: 70% to 75% of dry grip
• Price advantage vs. competitors: 35% to 50% less per set

If you ride a supermoto — whether it’s a converted dirt bike, a factory-built SM, or a classic twin-shock converted for hooligan duties — the Kingtyre K97 deserves a place on your shortlist. It is a genuine supermoto tire that respects both the road legality you need and the track performance you want.

Available now in all sizes. Ride to the track, push hard all day, and ride home — the K97 makes it possible.

About Kingtyre: Kingtyre is a Chinese tire manufacturer founded in 2014, specializing in high-performance motorcycle tires for racing, track day, and road use. The K97 Super Motard tire is part of Kingtyre’s comprehensive product range, which also includes the K00 Racing Slick, K01 Racing Rain Tire, and K97 Sport Touring tire lines. All Kingtyre tires undergo rigorous testing in FIM Endurance World Championship competition.