If you're importing motorcycle inner tubes, one of the first decisions is the material: natural rubber or butyl rubber. Both have their place in the market. A second point is often mixed up with the first: the valve. The valve does not depend on the material β it depends on the tube size.
This guide explains both, so your order matches what your customers need.
Natural Rubber Inner Tubes
Natural rubber tubes are known for their elasticity: they stretch easily during installation and follow the tire well. The trade-off is air retention β natural rubber is more permeable than butyl, so riders need to check and top up pressure more often.
Butyl Rubber Inner Tubes
Butyl is a synthetic rubber with lower air permeability, so a butyl tube holds pressure longer than a natural rubber tube of the same size. Butyl also resists ageing and ozone better. Many importers in hot markets choose butyl for that reason.
The Valve Depends on the Size, Not the Material
Some articles call natural rubber tubes "TR-4" and butyl tubes "TR-6". That is not how the tubes we supply are listed. In the manufacturer's 2026 catalogue (Qingdao Zhengya Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd.), each tube size comes with its own valve:
- TR4 β 52 sizes, for example 2.75-17, 3.00-18 and 2.75/3.00-21.
- TR87 β 10 sizes, mostly small wheels, for example 3.00-8, 3.50-10 and 130/60-13.
- TR13 β 9 sizes, for example 4.00/4.50-10, 5.00-12 and 155/165-13.
Two sizes come with either of two valves: 4.80/4.00-8 (TR87 or TR13) and 3.00-12 (TR4 or TR87). For these, state the valve in your order.
Comparison at a Glance
| Air Retention | Butyl holds pressure longer |
| Elasticity | Natural rubber is more flexible |
| Ageing and Ozone | Butyl resists them better |
| Valve | Set by the tube size (TR4, TR87 or TR13), not by the material |
| Price | Quoted per size and material |
Which One Should You Import?
It depends on your market. If your customers ride daily in hot weather and want fewer pressure checks, butyl is usually the safer choice. If your market is driven by price, natural rubber tubes can make sense. Many distributors carry both. We supply both materials and quote them side by side for your size list.
What to Send for a Quotation
For each line: tube size, material (natural rubber or butyl), the valve if the size has two options, quantity per size, and packing β bags or cartons. MOQ for inner tubes is 2,000 pieces per size. Before a bulk order, approve samples of your main sizes; sample cost depends on the item.
Ready to discuss your inner tube requirements? Send us an inquiry and we'll help you select the best product for your market.