Tire selection is critical, usually done by the individual rider based on bike 'feel' during practice, qualifying and the pre-race warm-up laps on the morning of the race, as well as the predicted weather.

The typical compromise is between grip and longevity--the softer and 'grippier' the tire, the more quickly it wears out; the harder and less grippy, the more likely the tire is to last the entire race.