ISO 18164:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies methods for measuring rolling resistance, under controlled laboratory conditions, for new pneumatic tyres designed primarily for use on motorcycles. The relationship between values obtained and the fuel economy of the vehicle is undetermined, and such values are not intended to be used to indicate levels of performance or quality. This document applies to motorcycle tyres.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 16-Aug-2026
• ICS: 83.160.01 - Tyres in general
• ICS: 83.160.10 - Road vehicle tyres
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 31 - Tyres, rims and valves
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 31/WG 6 - Rolling resistance (highway tyres)
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 17-Aug-2026
• Due Date: 30-Aug-2027
• Completion Date: 17-Aug-2026

• Revises: ISO 28580:2018 - Passenger car, truck and bus tyre rolling resistance measurement method — Single point test and correlation of measurement results
• Effective Date: 07-Sep-2024
• Revises: ISO 18164:2005 - Passenger car, truck, bus and motorcycle tyres — Methods of measuring rolling resistance
• Effective Date: 31-Aug-2024

Overview

ISO 18164:2026 specifies standardized laboratory methods for measuring rolling resistance of new pneumatic tyres designed primarily for motorcycles. Utilizing a single point test methodology, the document enables laboratories and manufacturers to assess rolling resistance under controlled conditions. The standard focuses strictly on motorcycles, providing clear procedures and conditions for reliable, repeatable results, while explicitly stating that the results are not intended to be direct indicators of fuel economy, tyre performance, or quality.

Applying ISO 18164:2026 helps harmonize measurement techniques across the global tyre industry, supporting consistency in product testing and enabling comparability of results between laboratories and regions.

Key Topics

• Rolling Resistance Definition: Rolling resistance refers to the energy loss per unit of distance as a tyre rolls under load. It represents one of the key forces acting against a motorcycle's motion.
• Test Methods: The standard outlines several alternative laboratory test methods for assessing rolling resistance:
  • Force method at tyre spindle
  • Torque method at the drum axis
  • Power method at the drum axis
  • Deceleration method
• Test Equipment and Environment: Specifications for test drum dimensions, surface conditions, and temperature controls are detailed to ensure consistency.
• Correcting for Variables: Requirements for temperature correction, drum diameter correction, and allowance for measurement tolerances are provided to further standardize results.
• Measurement of Parasitic Losses: Procedures to account for energy losses not attributable to the tyre itself, such as aerodynamic losses and bearing friction.
• Result Analysis: Data interpretation guidance, including calculation of rolling resistance and the rolling resistance coefficient. Specific rules for rounding and averaging are included to support uniform reporting.

Applications

• Tyre Development and Quality Control: Tyre manufacturers can use ISO 18164:2026 to objectively measure and compare rolling resistance among different motorcycle tyre models or batches. Consistent measurement supports research and development efforts to optimize designs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Organizations may refer to this standard when setting regulations or requirements concerning tyre energy efficiency testing for motorcycles.
• Independent Testing and Benchmarking: Test laboratories and independent auditors use the single point test methodology to compare tyres from different brands or regions on a common basis.
• Procurement and Specification: Automotive manufacturers and fleet operators can specify ISO 18164:2026-compliant tyres or request test reports that use its procedures.
• International Trade: As an ISO standard, compliance facilitates cross-border trade by ensuring universally recognized and accepted testing methods, reducing ambiguity and technical barriers.

Related Standards

For enhanced understanding and implementation, ISO 18164:2026 should be considered alongside other key standards:

• ISO 4223-1: Provides definitions of terms commonly used in the tyre industry, referenced for clarity and consistency in ISO 18164.
• ISO 80000-1: Establishes rules for rounding numerical results, cited in the context of rolling resistance coefficient reporting.
• Previous Editions: The 2026 edition supersedes ISO 18164:2005 and ISO 28580:2018, focusing exclusively on motorcycle tyres and streamlining test procedures.

By adhering to ISO 18164:2026, organizations contribute to the global alignment of laboratory practices for measuring motorcycle tyre rolling resistance, supporting accuracy, transparency, and international comparability in tyre performance evaluation. Incorporating this standard into quality assurance and testing programs ensures that results are relevant, reproducible, and compliant with internationally recognized best practices.

International
Standard
ISO 18164
Second edition
Motorcycle tyres rolling resistance
2026-08
measurement methods — Single
point test
Reference number
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Test methods . 2
5 Test equipment . 2
5.1 Drum specifications .2
5.1.1 Diameter .2
5.1.2 Surface .3
5.1.3 Width .3
5.2 Test rim .3
5.3 Load, alignment, control and instrumentation accuracies .3
5.4 Thermal environment .3
5.4.1 Reference conditions .3
5.4.2 Alternative conditions .3
5.4.3 Drum surface temperature .3
6 Test conditions . 3
6.1 General .3
6.2 Test speeds .3
6.2.1 Single test speed .3
6.3 Test load .4
6.4 Test inflation pressure .4
6.5 Duration and speed .4
7 Test procedure . 4
7.1 General .4
7.2 Thermal conditioning .4
7.3 Pressure adjustment .4
7.4 Warm-up .4
7.5 Measurement and recording .4
7.6 Measurement of parasitic losses .5
7.6.1 General .5
7.6.2 Skim test reading .5
7.6.3 Machine reading .6
7.6.4 Deceleration method.6
7.7 Allowance for machines exceeding sigma m criterion .6
8 Data interpretation . 6
8.1 Calculation of parasitic losses .6
8.1.1 General .6
8.1.2 Force method at tyre spindle .7
8.1.3 Torque method at drum axis .7
8.1.4 Power method at drum axis .7
8.1.5 Deceleration method.7
8.2 Rolling resistance calculation .8
8.2.1 General .8
8.2.2 Force method at tyre spindle .8
8.2.3 Torque method at drum axis .8
8.2.4 Power method at drum axis .8
8.2.5 Deceleration method.8
9 Data analysis . 9
9.1 Rolling resistance coefficient .9
9.2 Temperature correction .9
9.3 Drum diameter correction .9

iii
9.4 Measurement result and rounding .10
Annex A (informative) Measurement methods of moment of inertia for drum and tyre
assembly — Deceleration method .11
Annex B (normative) Test equipment tolerances .16
Annex C (informative) Example for machine drift evaluation . 19
Bibliography .21

iv
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 31, Tyres, rims and valves.
This second edition of ISO 18164 cancels and replaces ISO 18164:2005 and ISO 28580:2018, which have
been technically revised.
The main change is as follows:
— the measuring methods for passenger car, truck and bus tyres, and the optional test methods of the
former Annex B have been removed.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

v
International Standard ISO 18164:2026(en)
Motorcycle tyres rolling resistance measurement methods —
Single point test
1 Scope
This document specifies methods for measuring rolling resistance, under controlled laboratory conditions,
for new pneumatic tyres designed primarily for use on motorcycles. The relationship between values
obtained and the fuel economy of the vehicle is undetermined, and such values are not intended to be used to
indicate levels of performance or quality.
This document applies to motorcycle tyres.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4223-1, Definitions of some terms used in the tyre industry — Part 1: Pneumatic tyres
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 4223-1 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
rolling resistance
F
r
loss of energy (or energy consumed) per unit of distance travelled
.
Note 1 to entry: The SI unit conventionally used for the rolling resistance is the newton metre per metre (N m/m). This
is equivalent to a drag force in newtons (N).
3.2
rolling resistance coefficient
C
r
ratio of the rolling resistance to the load on the tyre
Note 1 to entry: Rolling resistance is measured in newtons (N).
Note 2 to entry: Load on the tyre is measured in kilonewtons (kN).
Note 3 to entry: Although this quantity is dimensionless, it is conventionally expressed in N/kN.

3.4
parasitic loss
loss of energy (or energy consumed) per unit distance excluding internal tyre losses, and attributable to
aerodynamic loss of the different rotating elements of the test equipment, bearing friction and other sources
of systematic loss which can be inherent in the measurement
Note 1 to entry: Depending on the method used, the aerodynamic loss of the tyre is possibly or possibly not included
in the parasitic loss.
3.5
skim test reading
type of parasitic loss measurement, in which the tyre is kept rolling, without slippage, while reducing the
tyre load to a level at which energy loss within the tyre itself is virtually zero
3.6
machine reading
type of parasitic loss measurement, involving losses of the test machine, exclusive of losses in the rotating
spindle bearing, which carries the tyre and rim, and aerodynamic losses
3.7
moment of inertia
ratio of the torque applied to the tyre to the annular acceleration on the tyre
Note 1 to entry: See Annex A.
4 Test methods
The following are alternative measurement methods. The choice of an individual method is left to the tester.
For each method, the test measurements shall be converted to a force acting at the tyre/drum interface.
a) Force method: the reaction force measured at the tyre spindle. This measured value also includes the
bearing losses of the tyre spindle and the aerodynamic losses of the tyre and the wheel.
b) Torque method: the torque input measured at the test drum (see NOTE).
c) Power method: the measurement of the power input to the test drum (see NOTE).
d) Deceleration method: the measurement of deceleration of the test drum and tyre assembly (see NOTE).
NOTE This measured value also includes the bearing and aerodynamic losses of the wheel, the tyre and the drum,
losses that are also to be considered.
5 Test equipment
5.1 Drum specifications
5.1.1 Diameter
The test dynamometer shall have a cylindrical flywheel (drum) with a diameter of at least 1,5 m (reference
drum diameter: 1,7 m).
The results are different for different diameters; see 9.3 for drum diameter correction for comparisons, if
necessary.
NOTE Historically, the measurement of the fore and aft (longitudinal) force on a flat surface machine has been
shown to be quite difficult since this force is very small relative to other forces being measured. If a flat surface
machine is used, care must be taken to correlate the data with the reference drum diameter in order to assure accurate
results.
5.1.2 Surface
The surface of the drum shall be smooth steel or textured and shall be kept clean. For the textured drum
surface, see B.6.
5.1.3 Width
The width of the drum test surface shall exceed the width of the test tyre tread.
5.2 Test rim
The tyre shall be mounted on a test rim, as specified in Annex B.
5.3 Load, alignment, control and instrumentation accuracies
Measurement of these parameters shall be sufficiently accurate and precise to provide the required test
data. The specific and respective values are shown in Annex B.
5.4 Thermal environment
5.4.1 Reference conditions
The reference ambient temperature, as measured on the rotational axis of the tyre, 1 m away from the plane
touching the nearest tyre sidewall, shall be 25 °C.
5.4.2 Alternative conditions
If the reference temperature cannot be obtained, the rolling resistance measurement shall be corrected to
standard temperature conditions in accordance with 9.2.
5.4.3 Drum surface temperature
Care should be taken to ensure that the temperature of the test drum surface is approximately the same as
the ambient temperature at the beginning of the test.
6 Test conditions
6.1 General
The test consists of a measurement of rolling resistance in which the tyre is inflated and the inflation
pressure is allowed to build up (i.e. “capped air”).
6.2 Test speeds
6.2.1 Single test speed
The value shall be obtained at a drum speed as shown in Table 1. Speed is in kilometres per hour.
Table 1 — Test speeds
Tyre type Motorcycle
Load index All All
Speed symbol L and below Above L
Speed 50 80
6.3 Test load
The standard test load shall be computed from the values shown in Table 2 and shall be kept within the
tolerances specified in Annex B.
Table 2 — Test loads and inflation pressures
Tyre type Motorcycle
Reinforced or
Standard load
extra load
Load
% of maximum 65 80
load capacity
Inflation pressure
200 250
kPa
6.4 Test inflation pressure
The inflation pressure shall be in accordance with those shown in Table 2 and shall be capped with the
accuracy specified in B.4.1.
6.5 Duration and speed
When the deceleration method is selected, the following requirements apply:
a) for duration, ∆t, the time increments shall not exceed 0,5 s;
b) any variation of the test drum speed shall not exceed 1 km/h.
7 Test procedure
7.1 General
The test procedure steps described below shall be followed in the sequence given.
7.2 Thermal conditioning
Place the inflated tyre in the thermal environment of the test location for the time necessary to achieve
thermal equilibrium, which is generally reached after 3 h.
7.3 Pressure adjustment
After thermal conditioning, the inflation pressure shall be adjusted to the test pressure, and verified 10 min
after the adjustment is made.
7.4 Warm-up
The tyre shall be run at constant test speed until reaching a stabilized steady-state value of rolling resistance.
Warm-up duration is 30 minutes for all nominal rim diameter codes.
7.5 Measurement and recording
The following shall be measured and recorded (see Figure 1):
a) test speed, U ;
n
b) load on the tyre normal to the drum surface, L ;
m
c) test inflation pressure:
1) initial, as defined in 6.4;
2) final, inflation;
d) the driving torque on the drive shaft, T , the tyre spindle force, F , the input power, V × A, or the
t t
deceleration of the test drum-tyre-wheel assembly,  t, depending on the method;
e) distance from the tyre axle to the drum outer surface under steady-state conditions, r (see 8.1.2);
L
f) ambient temperature, t ;
amb
g) test drum radius, R;
h) rolling resistance force, F ;
r
i) test method chosen;
j) test rim (designation and material).
Key
1 tyre
2 drum
NOTE The system assumes no bearing and aerodynamic losses.
Figure 1 — Free-body diagram of tyre-drum system
7.6 Measurement of parasitic losses
7.6.1 General
Determine parasitic losses by one of the procedures given in 7.6.2 to 7.6.4.
7.6.2 Skim test reading
a) Reduce the load to ma
...