Winter Tire Suggestions

[Dannymack]

This will be the first year I am going to continue riding during the winter. Not during snow, but still cold weather. What are some suggestions for good cold weather tires? Most of the riding will be highway.

[PunyJuney]

I'm having my own little love affair with the Pilot Road 3's

[Drama]

Pirelli Daiblo Corsa 3s

[BC14]

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But I do like the PR3, as it's a stable tire in all conditions.

[Sean]

This will be the first year I am going to continue riding during the winter. Not during snow, but still cold weather. What are some suggestions for good cold weather tires? Most of the riding will be highway.

If you need new tires, that's one thing. But if you're going to buy tires specifically for winter, I don't think it's necessary. I would ride (almost) year round on Pilot Powers and 2ct's. IMHO the riding technique is more important then the actual tires.

[Ted]

I use Michelin Power Pures all year round.... works for me.....but i have never really used anything else. Power Pures do wear relatively faster though...

[TFOGGuys]

I was on PR2s the last 2 winters, will be on PR3s this winter. If I get a wild hair to ride when there's actual snow and ice on the streets, I'll be on Pirelli MT21s with studs...

[Dannymack]

PR3s do sound wonderful, but I seem to have a problem. Unless I get some decently wider wheels I'm limited to 110 to maybe 120 width allowance. Any idea within that range? I'm currently running Spitfires

[grim]

I was on PR2s the last 2 winters, will be on PR3s this winter. If I get a wild hair to ride when there's actual snow and ice on the streets, I'll be on Pirelli MT21s with studs...

How much would a pair of those MT21s studded cost?

[TFOGGuys]

How much would a pair of those MT21s studded cost?

For which bike?

[TFOGGuys]

PR3s do sound wonderful, but I seem to have a problem. Unless I get some decently wider wheels I'm limited to 110 to maybe 120 width allowance. Any idea within that range? I'm currently running Spitfires

What are you riding? In many cases, dual sport tires might be a good choice, depending on how hardcore you want to be. One of the members here (Spooph?) rode a 250 Ninja at obscenely cold temps (-17ish) in snow and ice with dual sport tires on it...

[grim]

For which bike?

The DRZ


The white stallion has seen enough ice and snow i will give her a break this winter.

[Sully]

If I get a wild hair

All your "hairs" are wild, Jim!

I run Michelin Pilot Powers all year

[Dannymack]

What are you riding? In many cases, dual sport tires might be a good choice, depending on how hardcore you want to be. One of the members here (Spooph?) rode a 250 Ninja at obscenely cold temps (-17ish) in snow and ice with dual sport tires on it...

82 CB750F. If it ever got that cold I would just tell my boss that I'm going to work from home.

[TinkerinWstuff]

I just found these today

[maktastik_jr.]

What are you riding? In many cases, dual sport tires might be a good choice, depending on how hardcore you want to be. One of the members here (Spooph?) rode a 250 Ninja at obscenely cold temps (-17ish) in snow and ice with dual sport tires on it...

[madvlad]

If you need new tires, that's one thing. But if you're going to buy tires specifically for winter, I don't think it's necessary. I would ride (almost) year round on Pilot Powers and 2ct's. IMHO the riding technique is more important then the actual tires.

+1 on this, I ride all year round too. I had single compound Michelin Pilot Powers last winter on the R1 and it rode beautifully even on days of under 10 degrees and riding through full ice/snow on Squaw pass with Grim, Fumet, Cornfed and Jslew I think haha. Just have to take your time and learn your bike and how the tires react on the cold as each rider is different.

[TinkerinWstuff]

One of the members here (Spooph?) rode a 250 Ninja at obscenely cold temps (-17ish) in snow and ice with dual sport tires on it...

And Spooph has been nowhere to be seen - coincidence?

[Jim_Vess]

PR3s do sound wonderful, but I seem to have a problem. Unless I get some decently wider wheels I'm limited to 110 to maybe 120 width allowance. Any idea within that range? I'm currently running Spitfires

I ran Spitfires on an '81 Yamaha Seca 550 through the winter with no problem.

You might want to check out IRC Roadwinners (they are the OEM tires on the Ninja 250). I'm using them on my Ninja 500 and they do pretty well in the cold and wet.

[Sully]

And Spooph has been nowhere to be seen - coincidence?

He's probably on one of his long road trips across the U.S. again crazy kid!

[TFOGGuys]

The DRZ


The white stallion has seen enough ice and snow i will give her a break this winter.

With 17 inch wheels, TKC80s are the best option. 130/80/17 rear and 120/70/17 front...like the ones Tinkerin shows below. These take studs well and grip well on dry pavement.

I just found these today

82 CB750F. If it ever got that cold I would just tell my boss that I'm going to work from home.

Lots of options in dualsport tires, not so much in dual compound street tires, although the Bridgestone S11s mentioned above are a dual compound tire and reasonably priced to boot. Realistically, if you're not gonna ride in the snow, don't worry too much about tires, as long as what you have on has decent tread depth.

[grim]

With 17 inch wheels, TKC80s are the best option. 130/80/17 rear and 120/70/17 front...like the ones Tinkerin shows below. These take studs well and grip well on dry pavement.





Lots of options in dualsport tires, not so much in dual compound street tires, although the Bridgestone S11s mentioned above are a dual compound tire and reasonably priced to boot. Realistically, if you're not gonna ride in the snow, don't worry too much about tires, as long as what you have on has decent tread depth.

With my new job my office is 6 minutes from my house and i do not have to go on any highways or interstates so i am very very highly entertaining the idea of just riding to work rain, sunshine, sleet, snow, or ice. The tires i am running right now are old and where they are ok on the street for commuting i don't think i have faith they will handle well in the snow or ice.

[TFOGGuys]

With my new job my office is 6 minutes from my house and i do not have to go on any highways or interstates so i am very very highly entertaining the idea of just riding to work rain, sunshine, sleet, snow, or ice. The tires i am running right now are old and where they are ok on the street for commuting i don't think i have faith they will handle well in the snow or ice.

TKC80s with studs would work well. Ask Ralph!

[Sean]

TKC80s with studs would work well. Ask Ralph!

Ralph rides?