The same question comes up every winter: \"Is it compulsory to fit winter tyres to a motorcycle?\" The short answer: the winter tyre requirement in Turkey does not target motorcycles. But that does not mean you need not think about your tyres in cold weather. Cold tarmac, cold tyres and ice are among the biggest risks on two wheels in winter. In this guide we explain the scope of the rule, the winter tyre options for motorcycles and scooters, and ways to ride safely on your tyres in winter.
\n\nThe compulsory winter tyre rule in Turkey is aimed at commercial vehicles carrying passengers and goods on intercity roads. By a statement of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the application period for 2026 was announced as 15 November to 15 April. There is no requirement to fit winter tyres on private cars; it is stated that governorates may take separate decisions for in-city applications.
\nWe could not find any regulation introducing a winter tyre requirement specifically for motorcycles. So fitting winter tyres to a motorcycle or scooter that you use privately is not a legal requirement; it is your choice. If you do courier or commercial work, keep an eye on whether the governorate in your city takes a decision.
\n\nThey do, but there is not the variety there is in car tyres; the examples we found are mostly in scooter sizes. Two examples:
\nThe current sizes and stock status of these products can change over time; ask the seller, giving your motorcycle's tyre size. We explained how to read the tyre size in the tyre size guide. Products are on the motorcycle tyres page.
\n\nFor someone who only rides on sunny winter weekends, a separate set of tyres is often unnecessary; a road tyre in good condition and not aged, together with careful riding, makes more sense. Because winter tyres have a soft compound, they can wear faster in hot weather; follow the manufacturer's recommendation on when to take them off.
\n\nA tyre gives full grip only when it approaches its working temperature. In winter, both the tarmac and the tyre are cold, so reaching this temperature takes much longer, and sometimes is never reached. Sports and track-focused tyres in particular are slow to warm up in the cold.
\nWhen the air in the tyre cools, the pressure drops too. On a tyre at around 2 bar, every 10 °C fall means roughly a 0.1 bar loss; the pressure you set in autumn can fall below the recommended value on a cold winter morning. Michelin recommends measuring the pressure when the tyres are cold and checking it regularly. A tyre with low pressure grips even worse on cold ground. We explained the measuring method in the tyre pressure guide.
\n\nOn two wheels in winter, the real danger is often not the visible snow but the ice you do not notice. Be especially careful at these points:
\nIf the temperature is near zero and the road looks wet, keep the motorcycle upright, make no sudden movements and, if possible, park the motorcycle that day. Setting out on a snow-covered road by motorcycle carries a serious risk of falling, even with winter tyres.
\n\nIn cold and wet weather, tyre grip depends not only on the temperature of the tarmac but on the surface it passes over. On these surfaces keep the motorcycle upright and apply the brakes and throttle before or after the surface:
\nWe explained other tips for riding in the rain in the riding in the rain guide.
\n\nOne of the things that most affects grip in winter is the condition of the tyre. The rubber of an aged tyre hardens and grips even less in the cold; a tyre with worn tread cannot clear water on wet ground. Before winter arrives, check the tread depth and the manufacture date of the tyre. When to replace it is in the tyre replacement guide.
\n\nThe winter tyre requirement in Turkey is aimed at commercial vehicles doing intercity transport; there is no such requirement for a motorcycle you use privately. If you ride a scooter every day in winter, M+S marked winter tyres are an option. What really matters is to ride gently in the first kilometres on cold tyres, measure the pressure when cold, pay attention to the age and tread of the tyre, and take ice into account when the temperature approaches zero.
\n\nNo. The compulsory winter tyre rule is aimed at commercial vehicles carrying passengers and goods between cities; we could not find a regulation introducing a requirement specifically for motorcycles.
\nThey do, especially in scooter sizes. The Michelin City Grip Winter and Anlas Winter Grip are examples of M+S marked winter tyres. Ask the seller for the current sizes and stock status.
\nBecause they have a soft compound, they may wear faster in hot weather and their behaviour may change. Follow the tyre manufacturer's recommendation on when to switch back to summer tyres.
\nYou can; winter riding is possible with the right gear, tyres in good condition and careful riding. But if the road is icy or snowy, parking the motorcycle is the safest choice.
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