The German government made it compulsory for vehicles to have winter tyres in “snowy and icy conditions” back in 2010, which apparently applies to motorcycles too (although the BVDM are legally challenging it on the basis that there are hardly any dedicated winter motorcycle tyres). In Germany apparently the M+S rating is good enough to satisfy the law, which is I think is why the TKC80 is appearing in more and more road bike sizes like the 120/70x17 front?

Winter tyres must bear the M+S marking, but it only means they will perform better on snow and ice than a “normal” all season tyre, it doesn’t in itself mean it is a winter tyre! What you need to look for in addition to M+S is…



But the snowflake in a mountain mark is only a voluntary symbol in the EU (compulsory in North America) for true winter/snow tyres, as far as I am aware only Continental and Michelin use it currently in Europe and only on car tyres I believe; there is pressure from lobbyists to make this mark EU law.

So TKCs are probably your best bet on the XTX, but you'd have to settle for a 150/70 rear though?

__________________