Chicken strips (motorcycle tires)

A chicken strip is a sometimes derogatory term used to describe the width of unused tread on the edges of motorcycle tires, typically a sport bike.

A turning motorcycle must lean into the turn. The faster it is going or the sharper the turn, the farther the motorcycle must lean over. For a formula relating speed, turn radius, and lean angle, see Bicycle and motorcycle physics. As the motorcycle leans, the tires' contact patches move farther to the side causing wear. The 'chicken strip' is the band of unworn tread along either edge of the tire. The width of the strip is an indicator of the angle to which a motorcycle is habitually leaned.

Possession of chicken strips on one's motorcycle is considered by some riders as the mark of an inexperienced motorcyclist who is afraid to lean a motorcycle all the way to the edge of a tire. It should be noted however that due to the handling capabilities of many modern motorcycles, and the vagaries of road condition, it is not advisable to exploit outer handling limits on public roads. The bike is typically capable of handling corners far too fast to avoid a sudden obstacle (car stopped or run wide, etc). On a closed race circuit, however, a rider is expected to use the edges of the tires on turns in order to stay competitive.