I was wondering how motorcycle tires handle cold weather? Ive had many cars in the past with performance tires that did not like the cold and broke traction easy. Now that its been pretty cold in the mornings ive been taking my favorite turns a little less "spirted" than usual, so i dont potentially have the bike slide out from under me due to colder harder tires.

 

It's cooled down a bit around here and I've had to add some air to my bike and car tires.

 

The tire more than likely will still get to their operating temperature - just slower than usual.
Check w/ a pyrometer.
Yet, road surface will not.
Best to roll on your throttles, watch your lean angles and care over any painted lines on the road surface.
And define cold.....over 40 degress f or under? Black ice sucks!
I never really had an issue in my area with performance tires (many brands) not "working" in the cold (over 40 degrees). Yet the tires will slide easier.

 

Also, define tire.....which I mean define the manufacturer....because all tires are not created equal.

I run Metzler ME880's on my sporty and have done plenty of riding below the freezing mark and also did 8 hours in the mid to uppper-30s rain on my way to FL a couple winters ago. I haven't noticed any measurable issue with traction than what would normally be during the rain event. However, just like yourself....I also take it a bit easier.

I think more importantly is proper warm-up of the bike when it is that cold. I blew all kinds of gaskets on the way down to FL but there were times it was in the upper teens when I was starting off. Learned my lesson the harder way.