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michelin desert tires
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 3:18 pm
by rochudson
After three flat tires with the stock dunlops, getting stuck way off
the beaten path, recovering the bike with a truck etc. I went
searching for the most flat proof tires I could find.
I ended up mounting Michelin Desert tires 90/90-21 front and 140/90-
17 rear. Both with Michelin Airstop heavy duty tubes.
First thing I noticed was these tires are HEAVY and they are STIFF.
But there is good and bad. Heavy adds some unique gyro action you can
feel especially at low speed.
THEY ARE FANTASTIC IN THE DIRT!! Way better than the Dunlops.
Here's my delima. As I fly down the highway towards the desert I am
taking up the whole lane. At first I thought I needed a steering
damper or a fork brace, which I may still need.
But after riding a bit longer I'm realizing these tire pick up every
little line in the road. And because they are so dang stiff you kind
of pick an average line where you want to go and just hang on. The
bike goes where you point it on average but the uncertain feeling of
what goes on right beneath you is unsettling.
Anyone else have this kind of experience with similar tires? Does a
fork brace or damper help much?
I have double and tripple checked my rear alignment, axle torques
front and rear, tripple clamps, head bearing adjustments etc.
22x1.5 bolt
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 6:07 pm
by Krgrife@aol.com
Where are you located? If no one closer has one to loan I can send you one
to use. I'm in California.
Kurt
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
michelin desert tires
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 6:18 pm
by Rodney Copeland
Every new tire I've tried acted like that.
They have mold release on them and need to be srubbed in for awhile
in the dirt, gravel or sand.
You may try droppin your tire pressure for kicks to see if it helps.
Good luck and ride safe on new tires,
Rod
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "rochudson" wrote:
> After three flat tires with the stock dunlops, getting stuck way
off
> the beaten path, recovering the bike with a truck etc. I went
> searching for the most flat proof tires I could find.
>
> I ended up mounting Michelin Desert tires 90/90-21 front and 140/90-
> 17 rear. Both with Michelin Airstop heavy duty tubes.
>
> First thing I noticed was these tires are HEAVY and they are STIFF.
> But there is good and bad. Heavy adds some unique gyro action you
can
> feel especially at low speed.
>
> THEY ARE FANTASTIC IN THE DIRT!! Way better than the Dunlops.
>
> Here's my delima. As I fly down the highway towards the desert I am
> taking up the whole lane. At first I thought I needed a steering
> damper or a fork brace, which I may still need.
>
> But after riding a bit longer I'm realizing these tire pick up
every
> little line in the road. And because they are so dang stiff you
kind
> of pick an average line where you want to go and just hang on. The
> bike goes where you point it on average but the uncertain feeling
of
> what goes on right beneath you is unsettling.
>
> Anyone else have this kind of experience with similar tires? Does a
> fork brace or damper help much?
>
> I have double and tripple checked my rear alignment, axle torques
> front and rear, tripple clamps, head bearing adjustments etc.