Overview
ISO 10231:2025 - "Motorcycle tyres - Test methods for verifying tyre capabilities" defines standardized laboratory test methods used to verify the structural and operational capabilities of motorcycle tyres. Applicable to all motorcycle tyres, the standard specifies test equipment, preparation procedures and pass/fail criteria for strength, endurance, high‑speed and centrifugal growth tests. Note: these methods are for capability verification and are not intended to grade performance or assign quality levels.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability
- Applies to all motorcycle tyres; not for performance gradation.
- References ISO 4223‑1 for terminology.
- Test equipment (Section 4)
- Test drum: smooth steel cylindrical drum, diameter 1.7 m ± 0.017 m or 2.0 m ± 0.02 m; surface width exceed tyre width.
- Plunger: cylindrical steel with hemispherical end, diameter 8 mm ± 0.2 mm; displacement and force indicators ±1% full scale.
- Inflation gauges: max scale ≥ 500 kPa, accuracy ±5 kPa.
- Test axle run‑out controls and specified slip/camber tolerances for endurance/high‑speed tests.
- Contour outline device for centrifugal growth measurements.
- Strength test
- Not applicable to radial‑ply tyres.
- Plunger penetration at 50 mm/min ±2.5 mm/min; record force and penetration at break at multiple circumferential points.
- Breaking energy calculated per formula in the standard and averaged across test points.
- Endurance test
- Tyre conditioned to ≥35 °C; run continuously at ≥80 km/h under specified load/time blocks:
- 4 h at 100% maximum load rating
- 6 h at 108%
- 24 h at 117%
- No cooling; inflation pressure unchanged during test.
- High‑speed test
- Not applicable below 130 km/h speed capability.
- Prescribed inflation pressures by speed symbol and tyre version (examples: M–P = 250 kPa; T–V = 350 kPa for standard load).
- Load applied during test and conditioning requirements documented.
- Centrifugal growth test
- Measurement accuracy within ±1% full scale; contour device and axle control required.
Applications and users
ISO 10231:2025 is used by:
- Tyre manufacturers - to verify design robustness and production quality.
- Independent test laboratories - to perform repeatable capability tests for clients.
- Regulatory authorities and type‑approval bodies - to confirm tyre safety characteristics.
- R&D and quality engineers - for development validation, failure investigation and comparative testing.
Keywords: ISO 10231:2025, motorcycle tyres, tyre testing, endurance test, high‑speed test, centrifugal growth test, strength test, tyre verification.
Related standards
- ISO 4223‑1 - Definitions of some terms used in the tyre industry (normative reference cited by ISO 10231:2025).
