Winter Tires

[Barry]

There is a lot of chat on car forums at the moment about winter tires and how they are so dramatically better than summer tires not just on snow but when temperatures drop.  It's due mainly to the rubber compound being formulated to grip in cold temperatures.

Here is what is perhaps a daft question:

Why are there no winter tires for bikes ?   Is it simply that all bike tires are already made with the type of rubber compound used in car winter tires.

[Justin B.]

You ain't supposed to ride motorcycles in the snow!  I tried it in Alaska and never made it out of the parking lot before I realized I was attempting something very dumb... [smiley=mad.gif]  As far as cold weather performance I've found out that after a few miles the grip was acceptable for normal commuting.  I guess we can all be thankful they don't thump for the first few miles like old auto rayon tires did...

That being said, I have a crazy cousin who used to ice-race motorcycles.  I suppose you might be able to get some of those spiked tires and give 'em a try! 

[Barry]

I don't mind fresh snow so much, at least it cushions the fall !    It's the other road users that drive over you when you go down that are the problem.

I was thinking more of riding to work in temperatures as low as -5 Deg C.  The salt that's been spread attracts moisture out of the air and keeps the road surface damp even in a dry spell.  I go very steady but still need all the grip I can get.  The Michelin M45's have been good but they are no longer available when I come to change. I suppose I should go for a soft tire with a reputation for wearing quickly. Something like Conti Go's.

[Bob_Roller]

There probably not much of a market for winter tires for bikes .

For the most part, they are ' fair weather ' machines .

I don't ask too much from the tires on my bikes, until they get warmed up in our version of winter here .

The Metzeler Lazertec tires are not user friendly until they get warmed up .

[wilcom]

I was thinking more of riding to work in temperatures as low as -5 Deg C.

I live in the SW USA and we really don't have a winter. Well winter enough to put on a jacket , but not winter enough to think about tires and such. So I never thought much about "real" winter tires and they don't advertise anything like that locally.

You question brought me to a great article on wibnter tires and they speak of the temp that Barry wants to ride in ,,,,,,

 http://www.wheels.ca/news/getting-a-grip-on-winter-tire-technology/

[Barry]

Thanks, I see there is more to it than just soft rubber. 

Here's a video that demonstrates a 2 wheel drive car on winter tires will beat a 4 wheel drive car on summer tires hands down. Sure is a lot of technology in tires.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/66692/winter-tyres-4x4-grip-test-video