Testing New Eurogrip Tyres In the Real World
At this year’s Eurogrip Tread Talks event, we got to sample the Protorq Extreme sporty tyre in new sizes as well as the new Terrabite GB Plus tyres for retro bikes
We recently got the opportunity to attend the ninth edition of Eurogrip Tread Talks - a yearly event wherein journalists get to witness latest tyre manufacturing processes as well as testing the tyres in the real world. It was an exciting opportunity that combined two of my most favourite things: riding motorcycles and touring.
Glimpse Into Tyre Manufacturing And The Brand’s Expansion Plans
The journey began at Eurogrip’s tyre factory in Madurai, a place that gave me a real sense of how the tyres are crafted from raw material to a finished product. Here’s an interesting fact: Eurogrip not only makes tyres for the Indian market, but also foreign countries including Indonesia, Thailand, and Colombia to name a few. Additionally, Eurogrip is also planning to enter the American market with products specifically designed for cruisers like Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle.
Eurogrip To Launch Racing Slick Tyres For Superbikes In 2027
We also got the first glance at Eurogrip’s racing slick tyres for superbikes, which the brand intends to use at the upcoming TVS India One Make Championship series. The tyre is expected to be launched by 2027, and will compete with the Pirelli Supercorsa SPV4. Slick tyres are exclusively meant for racing, and are not road legal. They offer the highest grip, but only last for a few laps around a race track. Along with this, the brand also showcased the Roadhound, an entry-level big bike tyre that was recently launched in its widest size - 190-section.
Testing Eurogrip’s Newest Tyres In The Real World
After all the briefing, the real adventure began. There was a convoy of motorcycles fitted with some of Eurogrip’s best tyres. I got to experience the Eurogrip Terrabite DB +, a tyre designed for retro bikes – and the Protorq Extremes in the newer sizes. At our disposal were bikes like the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and the Meteor 350. Eurogrip also had light weight sporty commuters like the FZ-S, Gixxer 150, Xtreme 125R, and the Dominar 400, a sporty cruiser. The ride plan was simple: a 200km trip from Madurai to Kodaikanal. It’s a route known for twisty roads, fairly frequent rains this time of the year, and elevation changes - making it the perfect ride to test the Eurogrip tyres.
I swapped between motorcycles to try different tyre models, each one tailored for specific use cases touring, commuting, or spirited riding. But one tyre, in particular, caught my attention and held it firmly, the Eurogrip Protorq Extreme. Earlier this tyre was only available in two sizes, 110/70-17 and 150/60-17, now however it is available in more accessible sizes like 100, 120, 130 and 140 sections. On the Suzuki Gixxer 150, if offered enough grip and feedback to keep the ride fun and exciting. On the highway leading out of Madurai, the Eurogrips felt quite stable, even at higher cruising speeds, however the bike I rode had a loose cone set, which caused a bit of handle wobble. But it was in the hills where the tyre truly showed its true character.
The climb to Kodaikanal is nothing short of epic, sharp hairpins, long sweepers, sudden braking points, and occasional patches of rough tarmac. On these roads, the Eurogrips seemed to come alive. The grip levels inspired complete confidence, allowing me to lean the motorcycle aggressively into corners without even giving it a second thought. Even on stretches where damp patches and gravel threatened to unsettle the ride, the tyre’s feedback was quite predictable and forgiving. I rode the Gixxer hard through the twisties and not even once did it feel like the tyres were losing grip.
I was impressed by the fact that all the tyres from Eurogrip worked as expected, irrespective of what I rode. The Eurogrip Terrabite DB + on the Classic 350 had very good road manners with excellent highway stability, and will allow you to have a bit of fun in the corners should you want to .. The tyres had a block pattern which makes them suitable for well-paved roads and also makes it easy on the rough, broken patches. On our way back from Kodaikanal it started raining, which gave me an opportunity to experience the Protorq Extremes in the wet. Though, going through standing water at a considerable speed felt a bit scary. While the tyres held on, we advise you to ride cautiously on standing water patches on the road. Apart from that, the ride was fun since the tyres worked well in the wet. If you are a fan of riding in the rain, these tyres can be a good pick.
The Eurogrip Protorq Extremes have always been a good set of tyres, and always highly recommended. With the newer sizes, more riders should be able to experience them on their bikes. With the Terrabite DB +, retro bike owners now have another choice of good tyres. All in all, I had a lot of fun riding from Madurai to Kodaikanal, not only because of the tyres, but also because of the views as well as the weather. Everything else was a bonus.