Ideal tyres for greasy/icy/snowy conditions?

Flemy · Scooby Slapper Joined: 15 Dec 2011 Karma :

Well, finally decided to stop lurking the forum and to make my own account as I need a bit of advice on which tyres are right for this kind of weather.
I've got a piece of crap xr125-L which comes as standard with knobbly tyres which don't seem to be great in these sort of conditions, the amount of times the back end has locked up with the smallest amount of breaking and the front end has slipped with the smallest amount of turning is unreal. I was just wondering if it was worth changing the tyres or if I even can with the xr? As I can't find any online! Or, shall I just ride it out, save spending any money on a bike that's going to be burned when I pas my DAS in may? Just don't really fancy dying before I get to may...
Advice would be appreciated
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Prev- Pug speedfight 2 50cc x3 (Write off, blown engine and stolen), Honda Xr 125-L (Nail), Suzuki GSX-R 600(stolen). Current- Kwak ninja 300

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

No bike tyres are right for snow or ice.

In the cold and wet you need good quality road tyres, not chinese triangles or goodrides or Wanli or whatever.

You want whatever Pirelli, Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone or Mezeler can do for your rim sizes. If it has to be crossplies I'd reccomend Bridgestone BT45, but it is possible they don't do the right size for your rims.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
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Flemy · Scooby Slapper Joined: 15 Dec 2011 Karma :

Guess I'll just leave it then, I'll ride up till it snows or I come off.
Thanks though.
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Prev- Pug speedfight 2 50cc x3 (Write off, blown engine and stolen), Honda Xr 125-L (Nail), Suzuki GSX-R 600(stolen). Current- Kwak ninja 300

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Car tyres.
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P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

https://www.snowmobiletrails.com/moto/index.html

Do this Laughing

HD · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Karma :

It sounds as though you may need to adjust your riding technique. By no means am I a great rider but many new riders don't realise how to ride in bad conditions or with knobbly tires. You need to do all of you braking and accelerating on the straight, then cruise around corners at neutral throttle.

It is imperative in snow and ice that you don't accelerate or brake while turning. Also, when going around corners you need to go stupidly slow and turn the bars instead of leaning. Hanging off the bike may help too.

Even in the dry, you shouldn't really accelerate til you get off the apex of the corner and don't give it a decent chunk of throttle til your upright. Knobblies aren't ideal and I have come off twice through leaning too far/going to fast with knobblies on road. They aren't too bad in fresh snow though.

So look at riding technique then see what tyres you can get as Marjay said.

Safe riding and HTH Thumbs Up

Also, it may be better to get a bus pass for a while as its gonna cost a lot more than a bus pass to fix the bike (or yourself) if you do come off bad.
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Ingah · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Karma :

I think you're expecting too much. Bikes really aren't compatible with ice and snow - Whilst yes, it can be done, your tyres will want to slide and you will probably come off (maybe even more than once) and may hurt yourself quite seriously.

There are solutions but they are largely too extreme for the UK (as your journey won't be 100% snowed up roads) - snow chains, snow claws, and studded tyres. There are also sprays that may help a little. Reducing tyre pressures a little will also help, but to reduce them considerably will require rim locks. Riding style/technique is massively important.

And yes, make sure you're not running cheap and nasty tyres that would struggle even in just the rain.

Honestly though, just get the bus/a lift on those few days/weeks.
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-- Ingah

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

kawakid · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

Don't try riding on snow and ice, i've been lucky past years. Been there done it, dropped it. No point.
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Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

Before my ex was my ex she had a XR125. Great little bike for all weathers and snow. It will slip and slide, but that low speed stuff now will help you in years to come. Thumbs Up

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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

If you've got dirt tyres, you want to run them at as low pressure as you dare in my experience - this will help on the snow at least.

Studs in the tyres make a big difference on ice and these ones are fine on dry roads too.
https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v1/p12305489-4.jpg