From cold grip to autumn roads: Motorcycle tyre expert shares tips for the changing season

• Cooler temperatures, wet roads and fallen leaves: Autumn brings a new set of conditions for motorcyclists, which can affect tyre grip and riding behaviour.
• Do tyres need warming up? Modern touring tyres are designed to provide good grip quickly, even in cooler temperatures. Sport tyres can require more care as temperatures fall, making it important for riders to adapt to the conditions.
• Leaves, dirt and early frost: Allow greater stopping distances, brake earlier, choose the cleanest line and ride smoothly and upright over contaminated surfaces.

As summer gives way to cooler mornings and wetter roads, Michelin is sharing its advice for autumn motorcycle riding. From checking tyre pressures and tread to adapting riding style for changing road conditions, Sabrina Sabel, Product Technician for motorcycle tyres at Michelin and an experienced racing rider, explains how riders can make the most of their bikes as the seasons change.

Crucial for grip: pressure, tread and compound

Autumn calls for some preparation from both rider and tyre. Changing temperatures and road conditions can affect how a motorcycle feels on the road, while tyre compound and tread play an important role in maintaining grip and stability.

Sabrina Sabel's first recommendation is to check tyre pressures regularly and always follow the motorcycle manufacturer's specifications.

Do I need to warm up my tyres? 

For most riders using modern touring tyres in normal conditions, actively warming up the tyres is not necessary. Their rubber compounds are designed to provide reliable grip from the start of a ride, including in cooler autumn temperatures.

A high silica content can help a tyre develop grip quickly in cooler conditions, while also contributing to wet-weather performance.

Sabrina Sabel explains:

“After setting off, I ride moderately for the first few kilometres to allow the tyres to warm up evenly through normal riding. Smooth braking and acceleration, with the motorcycle upright, help build temperature progressively without putting unnecessary stress on the tyre.”

Cold grip: what does silica do?

“Cold grip” describes a tyre's ability to provide effective grip at lower temperatures. This is influenced by the tyre's rubber compound, which can include silica alongside other materials to balance grip, durability and wet-weather performance.

Touring tyres are generally designed to offer a broad operating range, helping them perform reliably across changing temperatures and road conditions.

Sport tyres can use different compound strategies, with a greater emphasis on performance at higher operating temperatures. Riders heading out on cooler autumn days should therefore consider the type of tyre fitted to their motorcycle and allow their riding style to reflect the conditions.

Wet roads: how tread helps move water away

Autumn often means wetter roads, making tread design an important part of maintaining contact between the tyre and road surface.

The grooves and channels in a road tyre help move water away from the contact patch, supporting grip when riding on wet surfaces. Keeping sufficient tread depth is therefore particularly important as the seasons change.

On the MICHELIN Road 6, Water-Evergrip Technology uses progressively opening sipes to maintain water evacuation as the tyre wears. The technology is designed to provide consistent wet-weather performance throughout the tyre's service life.

What about mud and snow?

Some motorcycle tyres carry the M+S (Mud and Snow) marking, indicating that they are designed with mud and snow conditions in mind. This can be particularly relevant to adventure riders travelling through mountainous areas, where autumn weather can bring an early change in conditions.

The MICHELIN Anakee Adventure 2, for example, uses a tread pattern designed to help displace mud and water while providing feedback during braking and cornering.

Ultimately, the most suitable tyre depends on the motorcycle, the type of riding, the routes being taken and the rider's preferences.

Expert tip: storing your
motorcycle for winter

For riders putting their motorcycle into storage, tyre care should continue beyond the end of the riding season.

Check the tyre pressures before storing the motorcycle and periodically move the bike slightly to help avoid prolonged pressure on the same section of tyre. Tyres should be stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated environment away from direct sunlight, UV light, heat and chemicals such as petrol and solvents.

For longer-term storage, always follow the motorcycle and tyre manufacturer's recommendations for pressures and positioning.

For the full range of Michelin motorbike tyres, visit: https://www.michelin.co.uk/motorbike