Winter tyres for all-year use

[Robby]

I've recently acquired a little 125 for commuting on, and I'm going to put a set of very narrow, very cheap tyres on it.

I'm considering a pair of Heidenau K66s, which either come as normal summer tyres, or for an extra fiver they can be winter tyres but with the same speed rating.

Do they actually behave any differently or lose grip in warm conditions, or do they just magically work better in the cold and (presumably) the rain?

tl:dr Is it worth spending the extra fiver and running winter tyres all year, or will they murder me when the sun comes out?

[The Professional]

I used the K66 M+S Snowtex on a 17" motard rim before switching to trail wheels, more grip on cold roads than a Bridgestone BT45 & plenty of life left on it. Only issue with heidenau's is they're a tight fit, so near impossible to install on a rim - some newbie @ J&S accessories said their tire machine couldn't get the damn thing on, took it to another place & watched them put the tire on but they had to inflate/deflate it over a dozen times until the bead seated. Id still use the same tire when the other wears out though - just don't waste DIY effort with a pair of tire levers and get a trustworthy bike shop to do it

[NJD]

F: 2.75 - 18
R: 90/90 -18

That's my tyre specs, means nothing to me but might provide you with more info than I understand and how my experience on my tiddler would compare to yours, if at all.

Manlung have worked fine for me. Winter, rain, dry all conditions.. including the aftermath of a snow storm, once.. ok maybe twice.

Only other ones I've seen recommended at these size are Metzler ME 22's (I think) or Michelin (that's recommended as in most popular on tyre sites and reviews).

[Tamsin]

I have an ME22 on the back of the CG and I've found it substantially better than the michelin that was on it before

[garth]

ME22's are very good. They don't last that long though.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Rogerborg]

[smallfrowne]

IRC SN-23 Urban Snow

Lasted maybe 600-700miles.

Didn't manage to test them in the snow
Only managed to square them off with lukewarm spring time motorway runs on the CD250. Saying that, it is a "front" tyre that's been put on the back, so probably a smidge better up front. Come on snow! There's still a tiny bit of tread left for testing...

K66 m+s up front which is still ready for business. Loves the wet, mud, and snow.
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'90 VFR750; '89 NC30; '95 DR650; '89 CD250U; ~'82 CG125; ~C90