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.

German automotive company and tyre major Continental has been added another feather to its cap with bagging the ‘Tire Manufacturer of the Year’ at this year’s Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence at this year’s Tire Technology Expo.

With this, Continental becomes the only tyre maker to have won two concurrent awards – Tire Manufacturer of the Year and Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing. The company’s Lousado facility in Portugal was also recognised for manufacturing tyres CO2-neutrally since last year.

Edwin Goudswaard, Head of Research & Development, Continental Tires, said, "We are especially proud to be the only manufacturer to be honoured twice at the Tire Technology Awards in an extremely competitive field. Both awards highlight our strong commitment to sustainable tire development and manufacturing. In such a highly competitive market, this success demonstrates our innovative prowess and our ability to actively shape the future of the industry."

Interestingly, this also marks it the fourth time that the German company has bagged the Tire Manufacturer of the Year award. The awards took into consideration tyre makers globally and were evaluated by a jury of 27 independent industry experts.

Going forward, Continental has outlined its ambition to switch all of its tyre plants to fully carbon-neutral production processes by 2040 at the latest.

Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has appointed Jongseon Ahn and Sanghoon Lee as Executive Directors and new Co-CEOs, following a resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting and Board of Directors meeting held on 26 March.

Ahn will be in charge of Hankook Tire's global innovation, R&D, procurement, production and quality, while Lee will be in charge of global sales and marketing initiatives to strengthen the premium positioning of the company's unified global brand, Hankook, as well as the supply of original equipment (OE) tyres for new vehicles. In addition to the leadership nominations, shareholders approved all eight agenda items at the Annual General Meeting, including the approval of the consolidated financial accounts, partial revisions to the Articles of Incorporation and director appointments.

Ahn has extensive leadership expertise and a proven track record of advancing technology innovation in the operational holding firm, Hankook & Company. He oversaw general management and spearheaded innovative initiatives in 2021 while serving as COO of Hankook & Company and Head of ES (Energy Solution) Business Headquarters. He became the CEO in 2022 and oversaw the company's expansion of premium Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery sales into important international markets, which greatly increased profitability and strengthened the company's platform for long-term success.

Lee's vast worldwide leadership experience serves as the foundation for his profound understanding of marketing and global sales strategy. He has held important regional leadership positions in China and Europe since 2018, during which time he has played a crucial role in bolstering the company's premium brand positioning internationally and continuously promoting creative business performance, both of which have greatly increased revenue. At the conclusion of last year, he was nominated as Hankook Tire's Co-CEO due to his success and leadership.

Sri Lanka-based speciality tyre manufacturer GRI (Global Rubber Industries) has won the prestigious Material Handling Industry (MHI) Innovation Award for Best Innovation in Sustainability at ProMat 2025, held in Chicago, USA. The company’s premium plus ULTIMATE GREEN XT tyre has been honoured as the world’s most sustainable material handling tyre made with 93.5 percent sustainable materials.

This solid material handling tyre, which was designed and produced at GRI's state-of-the-art production facilities in Sri Lanka, combines energy-efficient production methods, environmentally friendly raw materials and outstanding performance to lessen its impact on the environment and increase productivity for companies all over the world. The award follows a thorough evaluation procedure in which the most innovative developments influencing the future of material handling were evaluated by a prestigious panel of industry executives, technical specialists and sustainability advocates. In addition to being a success for GRI, this result demonstrates Sri Lanka's increasing influence in the global manufacturing sector and reaffirms the nation's capacity for high-quality, sustainable production.

Prabhash Subasinghe, Managing Director, GRI, said, “This award is not just a recognition for GRI – it is a moment of pride for Sri Lanka, showcasing our ability to lead in sustainable industrial solutions. The ULTIMATE GREEN XT is a Sri Lankan innovation making a difference on the global stage, reinforcing our belief that sustainability is not an option – it is a responsibility. At GRI, we always think of the next generation and strive to grow for generations to come. We dedicate this achievement to the passionate and hardworking people of Sri Lanka, whose expertise and dedication made this possible.”

Eurogrip Tyres, a leading manufacturer of two—and three-wheeler tyres in India, announced on Tuesday that it has launched a new brand campaign featuring former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni.

The campaign, titled "ENJOY EVERY TURN," aims to connect Dhoni's passion for motorcycle riding with Eurogrip's tyre technology. The campaign is built around the concept that life's journeys are filled with possibilities that should be approached with confidence.

Speaking about the campaign, P Madhavan, EVP of Sales and Marketing, TVS Srichakra Ltd, said, “We are excited about our new brand campaign with MS Dhoni. The “Enjoy Every Turn” film is an offbeat take on the joy of riding, and we believe it fits perfectly with Dhoni’s personality.  As the bike tyre specialist, we remain committed to offering tyres that allow you to confidently take on any of the challenges the road throws at you, enhancing every ride, making every journey smoother, safer and more exciting for the new-age rider.”

“As a passionate rider, shooting for this campaign along with Eurogrip was a pleasure for me. The ad film insight and script resonated with me as I have always “enjoyed every turn” life has thrown at me. As an aside, I also got to try Eurogrip’s high-performance super bike tyres. It was a fun experience for me to do what I love doing for this film – riding.”, said M S Dhoni.

Adarsh Atal, Chief Creative Officer – Tilt Brand Solutions added, “Every biker will tell you that the twists and turns of a road make their ride interesting. A straight road is never fun. This formed the base insight of our idea. That whether it is on the road, or in life, it is not knowing what’s around the corner that makes things exciting. With Dhoni at that juncture in his life where the whole world is wondering what’s next for him; the idea really came alive.”

According to the company, Dhoni’s global sporting profile will help strengthen Eurogrip’s brand positioning among millennial and Gen Z Indian riders.

The advertisement began airing on 18 March across television, digital, and social media platforms, supported by planned on-ground activities.