RUBBER CHRONICLES

A lesson on how much of a motorcycle's story is really written by its tyres

- By Yash Sunil Photographs Eurogrip

In a world where displacement, power and torque numbers hog the spotlight, the most crucial piece of the puzzle usually slips under the radar — tyres. Think about it, that tiny patch of rubber, not much bigger than an A4 sheet, is all that connects you and your motorcycle to the road. Yet it dictates how much of that performance you actually get to enjoy.

Over the years of riding different bikes, I've never really taken the time to think about tyres in detail. What goes into the rubber mix? How do they come up with tread patterns? Why do some use steel belts and others nylon? The more you think about it, the more questions you end up with. And for me, that curiosity has always been there, because tyres are the only real connection we have with the road.

So when the invite came to attend the ninth edition of Eurogrip Tread Talks, an event where journalists get to watch tyres being born and then flog them in the real world, I was all in. For me, it wasn’t just about the factory tour; it was also the perfect excuse to dust off my riding gear and head out on a motorcycle trip after what felt like forever.