Michelin cross climate

[Hook#3287]

Hey Jess, I remember you were looking into these, did you pull the trigger on one?

Looking for a report from you or anyone else that may have installed one.

[Valker]

Two of my Valks are running these now. I have a LOT of tread left with about 20-25,000 miles on each of them. My son and I just got back from an Alaska trip last week. They were fantastic. We run between 25 and 30 psi.

[Jess from VA]

Hey Jess, I remember you were looking into these, did you pull the trigger on one?

Looking for a report from you or anyone else that may have installed one.

Yes Bill, I put new ones on both Interstates last year, and they are the best rear tires ever (Cross Climate 2s).  I had only ever run Goodyear Assurance Tripletreds on them before, and the Michelins are much better than those.  While the treads look pretty square in pictures and in person, they give little to no car tire effect of wanting to stand the bike up in the curves and leans.  I've been on car tires so long now maybe I'm just used to it, but these tires feel just like MC tires to me (except for all the traction, grip and water dispersal).  And while tread depth is not real deep, both my tires still look brand new.  I run 40psi (max psi printed on the sidewall is over 50).  But I always run my tires hard.

Prices are up to $180-200, but still better than MC tire prices.  Worth it.  



I still get a kick out of riders walking up and asking... What in the hell tire have you got on that bike buddy???

[LadyDraco]

Great looking tread , I wish they came in my rim size

[Rams]

While the treads look pretty square in pictures and in person, they give little to no car tire effect of wanting to stand the bike up in the curves and leans.  I've been on car tires so long now maybe I'm just used to it, but these tires feel just like MC tires to me (except for all the traction, grip and water dispersal).  And while tread depth is not real deep, both my tires still look brand new.  I run 40psi (max psi printed on the sidewall is over 50).  But I always run my tires hard.

Jess,
I personally believe your Darkside experience is what is making you think there isn't much difference between a car tire and a motorcycle tire.   I would like to invite you to come to my home in Covington, TN and ride my two cruisers.   I used to feel the same as you stated until I put the "Rat" bike back together and on the road.   I already had a new motorcycle tire and being the tightwad I am, put it on the "Rat" bike intending to wear it out and then go darkside.   The difference in the way these two Valks handle is quite frankly surprising.   The bike with the motorcycle tire almost feels squirrelly after riding the Valkyrie with a car tire.  

Don't get me wrong, I'm a darksider and would never go back to a motorcycle tire (after this) but, there is a big difference in how the two bikes handle.

Rams

[Valker]

Rams, I don't share that impression. I have three Valks, two have CrossClimate2 with 28psi. One had regular bike tires at 42psi. I can ONLY feel a difference if I concentrate on it. Both scrape pegs regularly.

[Jess from VA]

I tend to Valker's point of view Ron.

However, it really does depend on the car tire.

Some would obviously be a terrible (or mediocre) choice on a bike.

This Michelin is a great tire on a motorcycle.   

Now if they don't stop producing them and replace it with something different it would be nice.

You can't stock up and keep them in the freezer.       

[Oss]

I have never experienced a car tire that would not follow the deep ruts in the road near me
its why I got hooked on the 200 series motorcycle tires Bridgestone Exedra after the Battleaxe

especially when the speed limit is 25 it was work and if I want work I will go to work lol


It just got pretty annoying for me   But I can see where out west it would be a joy and less likely to want to throw you on those tar snakes  The 200 MC tire is great in the rain, almost as sure stopping power as the Yoko I had

[Rams]

Rams, I don't share that impression. I have three Valks, two have CrossClimate2 with 28psi. One had regular bike tires at 42psi. I can ONLY feel a difference if I concentrate on it. Both scrape pegs regularly.

All I can say is that between my two cruisers, I notice the difference but, that really only occurs if I get on one and then ride the other immediately.

I tend to Valker's point of view Ron.

However, it really does depend on the car tire.

Some would obviously be a terrible (or mediocre) choice on a bike.

This Michelin is a great tire on a motorcycle.   

Now if they don't stop producing them and replace it with something different it would be nice.

You can't stock up and keep them in the freezer.       

OK, just passing on my small bit of experience.

I'm very willing to give the Michelin tire a trial. gonna have to wear out that tire on the Rat Bike first and that's going to take a while.   I try to ride all three of my Valks weekly but, that really depends on the weather and how much is on the "Honey Do" list. 

Rams   

[Jersey mike]

These tires were on the car we bought back in December and handle really nice. I can see the appeal for running them in the bike, just hard to believe they fit the rim.

[Jess from VA]

These tires were on the car we bought back in December and handle really nice. I can see the appeal for running them in the bike, just hard to believe they fit the rim.

Not only fit the rim, but actually fit up in the bike. 

There is a bit of variability between bikes, and a 205 60 (and some run taller 65s) often only has around two credit cards of clearance from the swingarm.  But they never rub (unless you run it with 9 lbs of air).

My first couple I did myself (not mounting the tires on rim), and I struggled quite a bit (without removing the lower fender half) (rim and tire are pretty heavy).  Now I pay it done, which is much easier.   

My superior tech is a wizard, but refuses to do test rides with them.   

[Rams]

My first couple I did myself (not mounting the tires on rim), and I struggled quite a bit (without removing the lower fender half) (rim and tire are pretty heavy). 
  

Hmm, never considered removing the rear fender half when changing that rear wheel/tire.   Hmmm........

Rams   

[Jess from VA]

My first couple I did myself (not mounting the tires on rim), and I struggled quite a bit (without removing the lower fender half) (rim and tire are pretty heavy).  
  

Hmm, never considered removing the rear fender half when changing that rear wheel/tire.   Hmmm........

Rams  

Lower fender half.  

The main reason to remove the lower fender half is so you don't have to jack the bike up so high to shove the mounted tire up in there.  Tied down to the jack or not (it should be), the bike wobbles and moves around more up high.  It's safer down low, with less wobbling.  My lower fender half hardware underneath is rusty and corroded, despite wire wheel cleanup and paint, and I was afraid it might not go back on tightly again (and I didn't want to make myself another project).    

[Rams]

My first couple I did myself (not mounting the tires on rim), and I struggled quite a bit (without removing the lower fender half) (rim and tire are pretty heavy).  
  

Hmm, never considered removing the rear fender half when changing that rear wheel/tire.   Hmmm........

Rams  

Lower fender half.  

The main reason to remove the lower fender half is so you don't have to jack the bike up so high to shove the mounted tire up in there.  Tied down to the jack or not (it should be), the bike wobbles and moves around more up high.  It's safer down low, with less wobbling.  My lower fender half hardware underneath is rusty and corroded, despite wire wheel cleanup and paint, and I was afraid it might not go back on tightly again (and I didn't want to make myself another project).    

Understood.   I use a bike jack and my bike/trike lift together so my old knees don't have to get down on the floor.   Once I have the bike in the "lifted" position, I secure the bike to the bike/trike lift to eliminate any tipping issues.  The bike/trike lift table is then about 40 to 44 inches off the floor.   This is much easier for me, especially when positioning the tire and rim back onto the bike.  

Rams

[Valker]

I raise my lift table to work on the bike, but to remove and replace the rear wheel without lifting with my old body, I lower the table and just roll the wheel out the back and roll it back in. Then I raise the table to comfortable height to do the hardware.