Best tyres for winter

[Powdermonkey]

Hi everyone
Long time since I last posted but I'm back !

Tried taking my XT125X out today after the snow and the rear wheel was slipping everywhere on snow and ice, got about 50m before deciding to jack it in. However, I cant keep that up as it is my only form of transport so quite need to be able to use it even if the weather is shoite. Therefore I was wondering if you guys could recommend me some more offroady tyres that will give me some better grip in the winter months. For the record my tire sizes are

Front: 100/80-17 52S
Rear: 130/70-17 62S

Hope you guys can help, apologies if posted in wrong forum!

Thanks!
____________________
CBT passed 20th June 2009
First Bike, A White Yamaha XT125X

[Powdermonkey]

Anyone......?
____________________
CBT passed 20th June 2009
First Bike, A White Yamaha XT125X

[G]

You don't saw what tyres you have, but basically no, not in snow.
If it's deep snow, some knobby tyres of some kind (might be able to bodge some on) would help, but would be even worse on the ice and wet tarmac.
If you didn't have to drive on tarmac, metal studded tyres would probably be the way to go without a tracked conversion.
Have a look at the numbers of cars sliding around - most vehicles aren't great in these conditions (though snow chains on the cars would probably make them considerably better).

You can get snow chains for bikes, but again, they're going to cause some serious problems on hard-top: https://www.mv-motorrad.de/cosmoshop/lshop,showdetail,13240,e,1105803788-30287,,10107,,,.htm

[Powdermonkey]

Hi G

I cant remember offhand but the ones i have on at the minute are Pirellis, cant remember the exact model but its the stock tyre that comes with the XT125X. Have you used those snow chains you posted? You say they would cause problems on tarmac though, how come? Sorry if thats a bone question!

Thanks!
____________________
CBT passed 20th June 2009
First Bike, A White Yamaha XT125X

[G]

For a start, on a hard level surface it will make the ride very 'lumpy' I expect. Also, lumps of metal really won't be good for traction or going around corners, or much else really - they make tyres out of rubber not metal for a reason .

[Powdermonkey]

Hi G

Yeh, can see where you're coming from there!

Thanks!
____________________
CBT passed 20th June 2009
First Bike, A White Yamaha XT125X

[prawny1]

letting a few psi out of your tyres will help give you a bigger contact area and help keep heat in your tyres,

The other thing to remember is to remember to abjust yourriding style, don't be as aggressive and keep as upright as possible, for corners slow early to avoid having to brake too hard and again stay upright even if it means slowing to a crawl on mini islands etc.

Don't be tempted to filter or overtake with snow or ice about, the centre divide is more likely to be icy, Also try to ride in the cars tyre tracks rather than the centre of the lane for the same reason.

[Powdermonkey]

Prawny, when you say a few psi would 5 be about right? My tyres are meant to be 26.1 and 27.6.
Thanks
____________________
CBT passed 20th June 2009
First Bike, A White Yamaha XT125X

[prawny1]

Your bike is pretty light so you can probably get away with about 25psi front and rear, steering will be a bit too heavy if you drop the front anymore than that but the rear should hold on a bit better under acceleration braking etc.

I would be running maybe 29psi front and 32psi rear for normal dry everyday riding, those worked well on a gilera cougar with the same size tyres I used for a bit last year.

[Powdermonkey]

Thanks for the help Prawny!
____________________
CBT passed 20th June 2009
First Bike, A White Yamaha XT125X