ARE MOTORCYCLE SNOW TIRES REQUIRED TO RIDE IN WINTER CONDITIONS?

After a snowfall, the road becomes slippery. When the snow melts, it becomes water, which can then turn into ice when the temperature drops again overnight.

Since this is a typical scenario you may face, it's natural to ask yourself whether it's safe to ride your motorcycle in the snow or on ice and whether your tires will provide sufficient grip during your journey.

It's not just a question of grip

Of course, grip is essential. Grip conditions are much more precarious when the ground is wet and cold than when the weather is warm and dry. Fitting appropriate tires with good grip on snowy or icy roads can ensure a safe and smooth car ride. On a motorcycle, however, it's not just a question of grip. The other parameter that comes into play is balance. When you only have two wheels to rely on, you can lose this essential balance at any time on a snowy or icy road. Even more so if the grip, compromised by the cold, has diminished.

Tire temperature 

It is essential to understand that every tire has an ideal operating temperature. This temperature is perfect because the tire will perform at its best. To reach this temperature, the tire must travel a certain number of miles, which varies according to the type of tire. However, in a winter context where the rubber stiffens with the cold and becomes less effective in terms of grip, it is difficult, if possible, to reach and maintain this ideal temperature.

In competition, tire warmers are used to warm up the tires before the start of the race so that they are already at their ideal temperature. Then, the tires' temperature does not drop because of the speed at which they are driven during the race.

But even if this equipment were available for use off the track, your tires, once heated, would quickly lose their temperature in the cold as they would usually be put under different driving and speed constraints than they typically are.

At Michelin, we do not recommend riding your motorcycle in winter conditions and low temperatures. We are committed to producing high-quality tires that ensure optimal performance for your safety. As mentioned earlier, riding a motorcycle on snowy or icy roads presents significant safety risks that motorcycle snow tires cannot mitigate.

However, we do design and manufacture winter tires for four-wheeled vehicles to handle difficult winter driving conditions and low temperatures. Our extensive testing has validated their performance even in the most challenging winter conditions.