Choose winter tires for your motorcycle or scooter

Winter is fast approaching, and motorcycle or scooter owners are already thinking about how to ride their cars. Some even choose to store their two-wheeled vehicles and opt for public transportation. Driving a motorcycle in winter is not easy. On a wet and slippery road, an accident occurs quickly.

To solve this problem, it is recommended to use winter tires. What is a winter tire? How to choose winter tires for your motorcycle or scooter? What winter tire for scooter or motorcycle? What precautions need to be taken to drive safely in winter? 

What is a winter tire?

A winter tire is a tire that provides the best grip and is best suited for winter conditions. Indeed, in winter the roads are wet and driving becomes really difficult. Winter tires contain rubber compounds designed to improve driving and improve performance. A winter tire becomes necessary when the temperature reaches 7 ° C..

Conventional tires decompose below this temperature and the elasticity of the tires used begins to decrease. Winter tires, on the other hand, are made from a different rubber compound made up of large amounts of silica. This material increases the elasticity of the tire and allows it to overcome any obstacle. Aquaplaning and icing on the road in winter.

To recognize winter tires, we use the M + S mark, that is, Mud + Snow, Mud and Snow, which is a self-certification used by manufacturers. However, this mark is not official, so it can vary depending on the brand of the tire manufacturer. Although in some countries, such as Germany, the use of winter tires is compulsory, it is not in all countries. For example, in France Road traffic regulations do not require winter tires on two-wheeled vehicles.. 

How to choose winter tires for your motorcycle or scooter?

Winter tire selection should not be made on a whim. To make the right choice, certain criteria must be taken into account. Feel free to ask your mechanic for advice on choosing winter tires. 

Check markings

As we said earlier, winter tires are designated M + S marking... Therefore, make sure that the tires you intend to buy have these markings. However, this mark is not exclusive. You can also see the 3PMSF (3 Peaks Mountain Snow Flake) indicator, introduced in 2009, which allows you to recognize tires that are truly designed for winter conditions. 

Tire sizes

The dimensions of the winter tire must be adapted to your motorcycle. Tire sizes are usually indicated on the side of the tread. A series of numbers, including width, height, numeric index, and speed index. Make sure you choose the correct size winter tires. Know that dimensions of a winter tire are identical to those of a summer tire... Also follow the manufacturer's instructions when choosing winter tires. 

All season tires

Also called all-season tires, all-season tires can be used at any time of the year... They are not designed for winter or summer, they are more hybrid and allow you to ride all year round without changing tires. The advantage of these tires is that they save you a lot of money. However, their performance is limited. 

Studded tires

These tires are only permitted in certain regions of France, where winters are often very harsh, because the studs contribute to a better ride on ice. Therefore, they are not suitable for all regions. Studded tires are also very noisy.

What winter tire for scooter or motorcycle?

Several brands offer winter tires that are tailored to your two-wheeled vehicle. You must make your choice in accordance with your needs and your financial capabilities. 

Winter tires for scooters

It should be noted that there are many offers for scooter winter tires. For example, the Michelin City Grip Winter brand offers winter tires ranging from 11 to 16 inches. The tires of this brand have sufficiently active components up to 10 ° C. Alternatively, you can choose the Continental ContiMove 365 M + S tires, which offer winter tires from 10 to 16 inches. It is also an all-season tire that can be used both in winter and summer. 

Winter motorcycle tires

The supply of winter motorcycle tires is very limited. This lack of references is mainly due to the fact that most motorcycle owners store their gear in the winter. Therefore, we are seeing a decrease in demand for winter motorcycle tires. Some people choose to keep driving with summer tires, regardless of the risks they are exposed to. However, manufacturers such as Heidenau still offer winter motorcycle tires in sizes from 10 to 21 inches for the front wheels. Mitas MC32 tires are also available in the 10 "to 17" range. 

Moreover, after winter it is necessary return to regular tires from the summer for your safety. A winter tire could actually melt in the sun. Therefore, it is recommended to use the correct tires suitable for each season. 

What precautions need to be taken to drive safely in winter?

If you haven't been able to find the right winter tires for your car, don't panic. You can still drive in winter if you take certain precautions. You must adapt your speed by moving very smoothly without accelerating too much. Also make sure your tires are sufficiently inflated and allow the gum to warm up a few degrees before driving. Caution and vigilance should be your watchwords when traveling.