When it comes to motorcycle performance, enthusiasts often focus on the engine, the suspension or the design. However, one crucial element that directly impacts safety and performance is often overlooked: the tyre. Despite being the only point of contact between the motorcycle and the road, tyres play a pivotal role in determining how a bike handles, grips and responds to rider inputs. In motorsports and everyday riding alike, tyres are the unsung heroes – vital components that require meticulous testing and development to perform at their best in all conditions.

Motorcycle tyres are engineered to handle a wide range of challenges, from extreme cornering forces on the track to the unpredictable surfaces found on rural roads. Whether you're a weekend cruiser or a competitive racer, the tyre is what connects you to the road, affecting everything from grip and braking to comfort and fuel efficiency. But the process of getting that perfect tyre to market is far from simple. It involves months of testing, refinement and technology-driven innovations designed to meet the demands of every type of rider.

Sagar Sheldekar, the founder of Living It Up and a seasoned expert in motorcycle testing, offers valuable insight into the importance of tyres. He explains that there are a few essential parameters he focuses on when testing a tyre. "The three most critical factors for me are grip, feedback and agility. While longevity is important, you can't gauge that immediately. A tyre with good grip and feedback allows you to push harder and ride more safely," he says.

Sheldekar, who has tested a wide range of motorcycles and tyres, explains that while tyres like Michelin excel in wet conditions due to their grip on slippery surfaces, he finds their feedback lacking. “A tyre that talks to you is important,” Sheldekar continues. “You need to feel how much grip you have, especially when you're riding aggressively or pushing the limits in a corner. A tyre that doesn't provide that feedback makes it harder to ride with confidence.”

He also discusses how the profile of a tyre can drastically influence a bike’s handling. "Take the Suzuki Katana, for example," he explains. "Despite having a fantastic engine, it was difficult to handle aggressively due to its flat tyre profile. On the other hand, tyres with more agile profiles make a bike easier to steer and handle, especially when you're pushing hard."

This illustrates a key aspect of tyre testing: it's not just about grip, but how the tyre responds to rider inputs and how it complements the overall dynamics of the motorcycle.

On the manufacturing side, V Sivaramakrishnan, Chief Technology Officer at Eurogrip Tyres, shares how tyres are tested for the Indian market. He explains that each category of motorcycle tyre – whether touring, off-road or sports – undergoes a different set of tests to ensure it meets the specific requirements of the segment. For instance, tyres designed for touring bikes go through different tests than those made for off-road or trail bikes.

“The testing process for a new product begins with indoor tests, such as high-speed durability and burst strength,” says Sivaramakrishnan. “Once these are done, we move on to rolling resistance and grip testing. We test tyres under different conditions, such as dry, wet and varied asphalt textures, and we also carry out tests in different climates, from the hot temperatures of India to the cold, wet conditions of Europe and Japan.”

For wet grip, a special test is conducted where a thin layer of water is spread over the track, ensuring consistent friction during the test. Using advanced sensors mounted on the bike, the deceleration and grip levels are carefully measured. Expert riders then push the tyres to their limits, testing how they perform in cornering, lane changes and other dynamic manoeuvres.

Beyond performance, tyre durability is just as important. Eurogrip conducts extensive real-world testing by sending convoys of vehicles on designed duty cycles that replicate actual usage – factoring in load, speed and terrain. This simulates how a tyre will perform over time and under different riding conditions.

Once internal testing is complete, tyres must pass homologation tests to meet country-specific regulations. In India, this means obtaining an ISI certification, while in Europe, it might be ECE-certified. These certifications ensure that tyres adhere to safety and performance standards specific to each market.

The entire process, from initial testing to certification, can take anywhere from six to nine months. The costs involved are significant, with manufacturers investing considerable resources to ensure the tyres not only meet but exceed performance expectations.

Tyre testing, while largely unseen by the average rider, is a crucial part of motorcycle safety and performance. It ensures that each tyre is optimised for maximum grip, durability and handling, giving riders the confidence to perform at their best. The next time you hit the road – whether cruising on a scenic highway or racing on a track – remember that the tyre beneath you has been tested through rigorous processes to make your ride safer and more enjoyable.

In the end, the importance of tyres cannot be overstated. As Sheldekar succinctly puts it, “You can have the most powerful engine, but if your tyre isn’t up to the task, you won’t be able to safely harness that power.” The unseen work that goes into tyre testing in India and around the world is what makes that safe, exhilarating ride possible – no matter where the road takes you.

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In a significant leadership transition, PCBL Chemical, a part of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, has appointed Nilesh Koul as its Managing Director for a five-year term, effective immediately. The company's Board confirmed this appointment during its meeting on 3 November 2025 subject to final ratification by shareholders through a postal ballot. This change was prompted by the resignation of the former Managing Director, Kaushik Roy, who stepped down for personal reasons, effective from the same date. The Board emphasised that selecting Koul is a strategic step aimed at ensuring leadership continuity and driving the company's future growth.

Koul is an experienced leader with a career spanning 28 years across diverse sectors including metals, oil and gas, construction materials and FMCG. His professional background includes senior executive roles at prominent organisations such as Hindalco Industries, British Petroleum, Castrol India, LafargeHolcim and Pidilite Industries, where he managed international operations. His most recent position was Senior President and CEO of the Aluminium Downstream business at Hindalco Industries. Academically, he is a graduate of G B Pant University and an alumnus of IIM-Ahmedabad, and he also serves on the Board of the Aerospace India Association.

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Tire Rack is celebrating the induction of its co-founder and longtime CEO, Mike Joines, into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame. The company credits Joines' automotive passion as the foundational spark for its mission to transform the tyre industry. Under his leadership, Tire Rack pioneered one of the first e-commerce platforms for tyre retailing, fundamentally changing how consumers research and purchase tyres.

The company’s philosophy, established by Joines, centred on empowering customers through comprehensive information rather than just completing a sale. This customer-first approach was built upon providing detailed product reviews, performance testing data, side-by-side comparisons and expert guidance.

Tire Rack also acknowledges that Joines understood the critical role of its team, noting that the ingenuity and integrity of its employees have been the true driving force behind decades of innovation and sustained customer trust. The company honours Joines as an enthusiast, innovator and leader whose devotion remains a source of inspiration.

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Goodyear Tire & Rubber reported a net loss of USD 2.2 billion for the third quarter of 2025, weighed down by significant non-cash charges, even as its “Goodyear Forward” transformation programme continued to deliver strong operational benefits and major divestitures were completed.

The tyre maker said segment operating income rose to USD 287 million in the quarter, reflecting USD 185 million in cost-saving benefits from Goodyear Forward, which helped offset inflationary pressures, lower volumes and the absence of prior-year insurance recoveries.

“We delivered a meaningful increase in segment operating income relative to the second quarter in an industry environment that continued to be marked by global trade disruption,” said Mark Stewart, Chief Executive Officer and President. “This growth underscores our strong product portfolio and the consistency of our execution under the Goodyear Forward plan, both of which we expect to support further acceleration in our earnings during the fourth quarter.”

Goodyear’s quarterly net sales were USD 4.6 billion, with tyre unit volumes at 40 million. The company recorded a USD 1.4 billion non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowance and a USD 674 million goodwill impairment charge during the quarter. Adjusted net income was USD 82 million, compared with USD 102 million a year earlier.

The company stated that all planned asset sales under its Goodyear Forward plan had now been completed, generating total gross proceeds of approximately USD 2.2 billion, which will be used to reduce debt and reinvest in growth.

On 31 October, Goodyear finalised the sale of the majority of its Goodyear Chemical business to an affiliate of Gemspring Capital Management, LLC, for USD 650 million, subject to adjustments. At closing, Goodyear received approximately USD 580 million in cash, which reflected working capital adjustments, including those for intercompany receivables.

“With the sale of our Chemical business, we have completed all of the planned asset sales included in our Goodyear Forward transformation program,” said Stewart. “Additionally, we surpassed initial expectations, with total gross proceeds from the divestitures of approximately USD 2.2 billion. As a result, we have a more focused, streamlined portfolio that will allow us to grow our core products and services and achieve our vision of being #1 in Tires and Service.”

The sale included Goodyear Chemical facilities in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, as well as a research office in Akron, Ohio. The company retains its chemical plants in Niagara Falls, New York, and Bayport, Texas, as well as the rights to the products produced there.

By region, the Americas segment reported third-quarter sales of USD 2.7 billion, a 4.2 percent year-over-year decline, as replacement tyre volumes decreased due to high inventories of imported products in the US market. Segment operating income fell to USD 206 million from USD 251 million.

In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), sales rose 4.4 percent to USD 1.4 billion, supported by favourable currency movements and stronger price/mix. Operating income increased to USD 30 million from USD 23 million a year earlier.

Asia Pacific sales fell 18.9 percent to USD 501 million, reflecting the sale of the Off-the-Road (OTR) tyre business and softer demand in Japan, Australia and China. Segment operating income dropped to USD 51 million from USD 72 million.

Goodyear said it expects to achieve about USD 1.5 billion in annualised run-rate benefits from the Goodyear Forward programme by the end of 2025.

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Tomoshige “Tomo” Mizutani, advisor and former Chairman and Chief Executive of Nitto Tire USA Inc., has been inducted into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame, one of the sector’s most prestigious honours.

The induction, hosted by the Tire Industry Association (TIA), will take place in Las Vegas alongside the 2025 SEMA Show, running from November 4 to 7.

With more than four decades in the tyre industry, Mizutani is widely credited with transforming Nitto Tire USA from a struggling operation in the early 1990s into a billion-dollar brand recognised for its innovation, performance, and strong connection with car enthusiasts.

“Our 2025 inductees embody the spirit of innovation and service that defines the tyre industry,” said Dick Gust, CEO of the Tire Industry Association. “Their contributions have improved safety, expanded opportunity, and shaped the way we do business worldwide.”

Mizutani’s approach combined deep market insight with bold risk-taking. By engaging with emerging communities of young car enthusiasts and later expanding into the off-road segment, he helped reposition Nitto as a brand built around passion and creativity.

Known for embracing innovation, Mizutani was among the first to champion enthusiast-driven product development and leverage digital and social media marketing to build brand loyalty. Under his leadership, Nitto cultivated a social media community exceeding 13 million followers, making it one of the most engaged automotive brands online.

“When new game-changing innovations would arise,” Mizutani said, “we viewed them as huge opportunities instead of risks.”

A frequent speaker at leading universities and industry events, Mizutani has shared his philosophy of creativity, resilience and perseverance with aspiring business leaders, often reminding audiences to “never ever give up.”

“This honour is beyond my dreams,” Mizutani said. “I’ve been privileged to meet and learn from industry legends who inspired me since my first day in America. I am deeply grateful for the incredible people who have guided, challenged, and supported me throughout my journey.”

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