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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Bridgestone India announced the winners of the 5th Edition of its Mobility Social Impact Awards (MSIA) 2025 in Pune, celebrating organisations that use mobility for social good.

The top honour in the Road Safety Innovation and Excellence category went to ALERT (Amenity Lifeline Emergency Response Team) from Chennai for empowering over 450,000 citizens with emergency response skills. Safety Research Foundation (SRF), based in Pune, received a Jury Commendation for its BRACE Project, which transforms school zones with safety audits and infrastructure upgrades.

In the Empowerment of Vulnerable Communities category, The Association of People with Disability (APD), Bengaluru, won the top honour for its Rehab on Wheels initiative, which provides last-mile rehabilitation services.

The winners were presented with their awards by social worker Dr. Girish Kulkarni, founder of Snehalaya.

Hiroshi Yoshizane, Group President, Bridgestone Asia Pacific and Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said: “It is a privilege to honour these changemakers who are redefining mobility for social good. Their work reflects our shared commitment to building inclusive, safe, and empowered communities.”

Jeya Padmanaban, Founding Trustee, Safety Research Foundation (SRF), said, “We are truly honoured to receive the Jury Commendation at the Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Awards 2025. The BRACE Project reflects our belief that road safety must begin at the community level, where awareness and infrastructure meet action. This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue building safer environments for children and fostering a culture of responsibility and care on our roads.”

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Linglong Tire has announced the promotion of Alessio Iacovelli to Deputy Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, effective 1 September 2025. In this elevated role, Iacovelli will take on leadership of the regional sales team with a mandate to accelerate business development. His key objectives will include forging strategic alliances and implementing programmes to strengthen customer loyalty. Iacovelli will report directly to Lisa Zhao, the Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, and will collaborate with her to manage key markets, including Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain.

Iacovelli, who began his career with Goodyear and Nexen, first joined Linglong Tire at the end of 2022 as a Sales Manager. In that capacity, he demonstrated significant success in developing the Southern European aftermarket, where he expanded the brand's footprint, defined effective growth strategies and secured robust partnerships with distributors. This strategic appointment and the restructuring of the sales leadership underscore Linglong Tire's intensified focus on achieving its ambitious growth targets across the European continent.

Iacovelli said, "I am very pleased to have been promoted to Deputy Director Replacement Sales West Europe at Linglong Tire. We have fantastic products such as the Sport Master 4S and the Sport Master Winter, both successfully tested in the recently published tyre tests. We have a state-of-the-art development centre in Germany and a new tyre plant in Europe and are successful in original equipment – ideal conditions for achieving our ambitious goals together with my team and the colleagues in Hannover and continuing to grow, especially in Europe."

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German synthetic rubber maker ARLANXEO has launched consultations with worker representatives over the potential closure of its Port Jerome facility in France, citing persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness in the European chemicals industry.

The company, which is majority-owned by Saudi Aramco, had begun an information and consultation period with the Works Council at the site, located in northern France. A final decision on the closure will be taken after the mandatory consultation process concludes and approval is obtained from the French labour authorities, DREETS.

“The European chemical industry continues to face persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness driven by rising costs, unbalanced global markets, and increased regulatory pressure,” said Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO chief executive.

“These conditions have generated a significant burden on the sector across the regional value chain. ARLANXEO has not been an exception to these challenges. The Port Jerome site has remained in a structurally loss-making position. Despite numerous improvement efforts, we do not foresee a viable path to a sustained structural improvement.”

The company did not disclose how many jobs would be affected by a potential closure, nor did it provide details on the facility’s production capacity or annual output.

Van Santbrink acknowledged the impact on workers, saying: “We recognise the impact a potential closure may have on our employees, and we regret the need to consider these steps. We will continue to treat all employees with respect. If we decide to cease operations at the site, we will do our utmost to assist in finding alternative solutions for all impacted employees. In addition, we intend to provide impacted employees with a social plan which reflects their valued contribution to ARLANXEO.”

The announcement adds to a growing list of European chemical producers struggling with high energy costs, sluggish demand and competition from lower-cost producers in Asia and the United States.

ARLANXEO said it would work closely with all affected internal and external stakeholders to minimise the impact of the intended closure.

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Continental's Tires group sector has strengthened its leadership team with two key internal appointments, effective 1 September 2025. Jana Striezel has been named the new head of global purchasing for Continental Tires, while Dennis Bellmund has assumed leadership of the global original equipment business for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Both executives will report directly to Christian Kötz, the member of Continental AG's Executive Board who leads the Tires group sector.

In her new capacity, Striezel will oversee worldwide strategic and operational purchasing. She brings extensive experience from the automotive industry, having previously held several procurement management roles at Renault, where she led purchasing for the Renault brand and its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe. Her career began at Volkswagen in 2014.

Bellmund, who has a 25-year tenure with Continental, steps into his role following the departure of his predecessor, Manja Greimeier, to the ContiTech sector. His extensive background within the company includes recent responsibility for Continental’s tyre retail operations, alongside prior leadership roles in EMEA supply chain management and sales direction for the European replacement tyre business. These appointments signal a strategic reinforcement of Continental's tyre division leadership.

Kötz said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jana Striezel, a highly skilled manager, to our team. She brings extensive expertise in international procurement and will focus on driving forward our purchasing strategy. In Dennis Bellmund, our global original equipment business has gained a highly experienced leader. Thanks to his many years at Continental, he is familiar with our company and our customers’ needs from many different angles. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish both of them every success in their new roles and look forward to working together.”

“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Manja Greimeier for her successful leadership of our original equipment business and wish her all the best and continued success,” added Kötz.

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