With the meteoric rise of motorcycling in India, we have also seen a rapid increase in the sales of big bikes. And when it comes to big bikes, one has stood out in terms of both accessibility and performance- the Kawasaki Z900.

It is one of the most loved sportbikes in India, a fact evident from the sheer number of them seen on Indian roads. It strikes a balance that few motorcycles can. 948cc, 123 bhp of power, accessible ergonomics, thrilling dynamics and, of course, the inline-4 howl- all of these things come together to make the Kawasaki Z900 a favourite among Indian bikers.

As accessible as it is though, more than 120 horses can still be a handful to tame. Skill and experience matter but the means to control and exploit the power being sent to the tarmac matters just as much. In the pursuit of finding a perfect match for the Z900, we scoured the market for something that could live up to the task without breaking the bank.

After a fair bit of time spent evaluating our options, the pursuit ended with TVS Eurogrip Roadhound tyres. Since then, we have ridden for over 1,500 km in varying riding conditions and with varying riding styles. And after the considerable time that we have spent testing these tyres with the Z900, we are equipped with enough for a detailed report. So without further ado, here we go!

One of the most crucial aspects of any tyre is the grip it offers, even more so when they have to help the rider tame a performance machine like the Kawasaki Z900. TVS Eurogrip Roadhound tyres have a W-rating, meaning that they are designed to handle speeds of up to 270 km/h. Numbers are just numbers but the Roadhound tyres are equipped to back them up as well.

Over the last 1,500 km, the tyres have provided us with excellent levels of grip, be it in a straight line or cornering and be it under acceleration or braking. Even in cornering and side-to-side transitions, the Roadhound tyres shine with phenomenal edge grip inspiring confidence in those spirited runs.

Accelerating out of a corner with 123 ponies propelling you can put immense pressure on a tyre. These tyres have kept our Z900 planted with the traction control rarely having to intervene. Even when we grabbed a handful of throttle with a fair bit of lean angle, the traction control rarely had to intervene. This is a testament to the amount of grip on offer.

With the Roadhound tyres, it is not just the edge grip either. Under the most strenuous of launches and the hardest of braking scenarios, the Roadhound tyres made sure that our Z900 never lost its composure. This gives the rider an immense sense of control and loads of confidence to keep pushing the performance envelope of this very popular Kwacker.

Being able to nail these aspects means that with Roadhound tyres, the rider has the confidence to keep pushing to find and exploit the dynamic limits of the Z900. But what we have talked about so far is the outcome. Well, we can assure you that the science behind the outcome is just as sound as the performance.

What sets the TVS Eurogrip Roadhound tyres apart is their advanced radial construction with a zero-degree steel belt. According to TVS Eurogrip, the zero-degree steel belt eliminates “dynamic growth,” referring to the expansion that occurs at high speeds.

The TVS Eurogrip Roadhound rear tyres feature a “quadrazone” construction, aimed at reducing the heat generated due to friction within the layers of the tyre. Warm tyres are good but too much heat can alter the tyre pressure and have an impact on the contact patch.

Therefore, in high-stress situations such as hard braking or bursts of acceleration, the deformation is minimized making sure that the tyres’ shape remains intact and the contact patch remains consistent.

The phenomenal performance of TVS Eurogrip Roadhound tyres is not limited to dry conditions either. During our run, we have used these tyres in mixed weather conditions as well and we can say with certainty that these tyres work exceedingly well. This is down to the silica content in the compound along with the innovative tread design.

Silica enhances mechanical grip in wet conditions and the tread pattern works extremely well in channelling the water away from the tyre. This prevents the dreaded aquaplaning and helps these tyres provide the grip that one can rely on even in wet conditions.

Finally, TVS Eurogrip Roadhound tyres address one of the most glaring issues when it comes to big bike tyres- affordability. In a market that is filled with tyres that come with a hefty price tag, Roadhound tyres offer affordability without an iota of compromise on the performance front.

During our extensive test encompassing all kinds of riding and all kinds of riding conditions, we can say with utmost confidence that the TVS Eurogrip Roadhound tyres have proven to be a worthy companion for our Kawasaki Z900. After all, tyres that offer fantastic dry grip, phenomenal wet grip, and an affordable price tag… what’s not to like?!