| Tyre grip works in a similar way to brake pads/discs.
With brakes Kinetic energy has to be lost to slow the bike down, this is done by converting it to heat (caused by friction) The more heat you create (friction through pressure) the quicker you lose kinetic energy thus slowing the bike down.
Now looking at tyres the same rule applies, its not about the amount of contact area but how much pressure you can apply to the area, this will be affected by how the bike is set up - suspension, tyres, chassis, fork rake, rider experience etc = grip. GP bikes grip well because they are set up well.
Just look at the 125's wizzing round at 130 mph and gripping, stick to stock sizes and spend the extra on a well set up bike |