DURO DM1325 Tyre Review: Budget Motorcycle Tyre Tested on Malaysian Roads

A soft-compound tyre built for daily riders, but how well does this DURO motorycle tyre hold up after real mileage on our roads?

Subscribe to our Instagram Channel for instant news & updates!

Motorcycle tyres are one of the most important parts of a bike. They are the only things connecting the machine to the road surface, and everything from acceleration, braking, cornering, and overall stability depends on them. A good tyre can transform the riding experience, while a bad one can make even a great bike feel unpredictable.

In Malaysia, choosing tyres can be overwhelming. There are countless brands available, ranging from premium international options to budget-friendly alternatives. Riders usually pick tyres based on riding style, road conditions, and of course, budget. With our tropical weather, unpredictable rain, and daily traffic congestion, tyres need to perform well in both dry and wet conditions.

For this first unpaid tyre review, we decided to try something different and test the DURO DM1325, a tyre that claims to feature a soft compound designed to offer better handling, comfort, and reliability, particularly for urban commuting and daily rides.

About DURO Tyres

DURO tyres are produced by Hwa Fong Rubber Group, a Taiwanese company founded in 1945. The brand has been around for decades and is well known in Southeast Asia for producing affordable yet durable motorcycle tyres.

Many riders might already recognize DURO models like the HF918 and DM1325, which are popular choices for scooters and mid-capacity motorcycles thanks to their balance between price and performance.

In Malaysia, DURO tyres are distributed by Teck Hin Motor Trading Sdn Bhd (THM), a company that also handles well-known brands like Castrol, Michelin, NGK, and others. Because of this distribution network, DURO tyres are widely available across the country.

First Impressions and Setup

For this review, I installed the DURO DM1325 in size 140/70-17 (66H) on the rear of my Kawasaki Z250 ABS, also known locally as the CKD Modenas version. The tyre cost RM290 including balancing, which immediately places it in the budget-friendly category compared to many premium tyres. 

Visually, the tyre looks surprisingly good. The tread pattern reminded me slightly of the Michelin Road 6, giving it a modern sport-touring appearance. The grooves are fairly deep, suggesting decent water dispersion during rainy conditions.   

The rubber compound also felt noticeably softer than the stock Dunlop Arrowmax tyres that originally came with my bike.  

Daily Riding and Warm-Up Performance

One thing I noticed immediately was how quickly the tyre warmed up. Compared to the stock Dunlop Arrowmax, the DM1325 reached operating temperature much faster. This is likely due to its softer compound. 

For daily commuting, this actually works in its favour. Malaysian riders rarely have time to warm tyres properly before hitting traffic, so a tyre that grips quickly gives extra confidence when filtering through cars or accelerating away from traffic lights. 

During the first 4,000 km of usage, the tyre performed impressively well. Grip felt consistent, and the rear of the bike remained planted even when pushing harder on open roads. 

On longer highway rides, the DURO DM1325 proved to be quite stable. Even at higher speeds, the rear end didn’t wobble or feel unsettled. For riders who commute on highways like NKVE, Federal Highway, or PLUS, this stability is important.

The tyre maintained a solid feel during acceleration and cruising, giving confidence even when riding aggressively.

Cornering Performance

Cornering is where the DM1325 actually surprised me. I tested it through twisty roads like Genting Highlands and other mountain routes, and the tyre stuck well to the asphalt.

Lean angles felt natural, and the tyre provided good feedback through corners. For a tyre in this price range, the grip level during the early mileage was honestly impressive. Even when pushing the bike harder, traction remained predictable.

Wet Weather Performance

Malaysia means rain, and plenty of it. Thankfully, the DM1325 handles wet conditions quite well. The tread pattern helps channel water away effectively, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Riding in wet weather didn’t feel overly risky, and the tyre remained predictable even when the road surface was soaked.

I even experimented by switching off ABS briefly to test rear braking behaviour, and the tyre maintained controlled sliding without sudden loss of grip. Even through shallow flooded sections, the tyre still held its line fairly well. Below is photo of this DURO DM1325 on a Kapcai.

Mileage and Wear

Now for the honest part. The tyre performs best within the first 3,000 km of use. During this peak phase, the grip, stability, and overall feel are excellent.

However, once the tyre approaches its minimum tread depth, performance begins to decline noticeably. Cornering starts to feel less stable, and even straight-line riding becomes slightly less solid compared to when the tyre was new.

In my case, the tyre lasted about 5 months with around 5,000 km of riding before it started losing its best characteristics.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the DURO DM1325 is a surprisingly capable tyre for its price. When it’s fresh, it offers very good grip, quick warm-up, stable highway performance, and confidence-inspiring cornering. For riders who mainly commute daily or enjoy occasional weekend rides, it performs very well during its early life.

However, riders should keep an eye on tread wear. Once the tyre begins approaching its wear limit, its handling characteristics drop noticeably. For the price of around RM290, it delivers solid performance during its prime period and can be a good budget choice for riders who replace tyres regularly.

In short, the DURO DM1325 is a tyre that performs best when fresh, offering strong grip, stability, and comfort for daily Malaysian riding conditions. For riders looking for a budget-friendly tyre with good early performance, it’s definitely worth considering.