Michelin Tires Review

For those who do not know, Michelin was the first to invent a removable pneumatic tire. This meant that getting a flat no longer entailed a couple of hours of removing the glued tire from the rim, gluing it back, and waiting at least 1 day for it to properly dry. These days, Michelin tires are already being used on MotoGP, Formula One, endurance racing, and other motor sports. It has emerged as one of the biggest names in the tire industry. Perhaps many are also unaware that BF Goodrich, Kleber, Kormoran, Riken, Tigar, and Uniroyal all belong to the Michelin brand.

A better pair of tires will definitely make a difference in the way any car performs whether on the road or on the race track. Car owners should make sure that they have the right type, size, mix, and air pressure. Sticking to the standard rim size is also recommended for newbies. As a general rule, changing the rim sizes is only advisable if the overall specifications of the car are changed as well. So this article will discuss several of the most popular tires from Michelin.

16-Inch Rim

These tires come standard on sedans. Below are a few of the tire models that have generated the most positive response;

Michelin Latitude Tour Radial Tire - 235/70R16 104T

Touring tires provides maximum comfort and adequate grip. The 104T has an average selling price of $160. It has the following specifications:

  • 30 pounds
  • 235 millimetres section width
  • Radial construction
  • 104 load index
  • 11 inches tread depth

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus Radial Tire - 245/50R16 97Z

Pilot Sport tires put more emphasis on grip and less on load capacity. This particular model has an average selling price of $170 - $180. This can be used for dry and wet conditions, and has a 45,000 mile warranty. The specs are as follows:

  • 26.9 pounds
  • 245 millimetres section width
  • Radial construction
  • 97 load index
  • 10 inches tread depth

MICHELIN LTX M/S 2 10PLY BW - LT265/75R16 123R

The LTX M/S is used for light trucks. The selling price is around $220- $230. This tire make is always in high demand. Most consumers say this is the number one all around light truck tire. The specs are:

  • 52 pounds
  • 265 section width
  • 75 millimetres aspect ratio
  • Radial construction
  • 123.00 load index
  • 13.5 inches tread depth

21-Inch Rim

These are used for cars that boast of high specs and high speed (i.e. Porsche). This is because the bigger the diameter of the rim, the more it takes to finish a single revolution. Below are some of the top tire makes in this category:

Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tire - 265/35R18 97Z XL

The compound used on the Pilot Super allows drivers and passenger to enjoy a comfortable and quiet ride. The average selling price is $240 - $250. It is also built for everyday use with added durability, albeit sacrificing a bit on performance. The specs are:

  • 261.1 pounds
  • 265 section width
  • Radial construction
  • 97 load index
  • 10 inches tread depth

Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tire - 225/40R18 92Z XL

The 92Z XL emphasizes handling and puts less emphasis on load capacity. The all around usability and durability remains the same as the 97Z XL. Average selling price is $210 - $220. The specs are:

  • 22.8 pounds
  • 225 section width
  • Radial construction
  • 92 load index
  • 10 inches tread depth

Michelin Latitude Sport 295/35R21 107Y (73118)

This is more at home with a high speed and high performance SUV than a sedan i.e. Porsche Cayenne turbo. These don’t come cheap averaging $460 - $470 a pop. The specs are:

  • 32.4 pounds
  • 295 section width
  • Radial construction
  • 107 load index
  • 8.5 inches tread depth

10-Inch Rim

These babies are used for scooters. The average price range is $40 to $70. 10-inch rims are for smaller scooters with less horsepower. By using smaller rims and tires, the rider gets a spring like acceleration. Michelin recommends the use of the standard size as recommended by the scooter manufacturers. This information is found on the rim of the scooter and on the old tire itself.

On average, the back wheel can last one season while the front wheel can last at least two seasons. Michelin tires can double that, unless soft compounds for extreme high performance are specifically purchased. The top 3 tires in this size category include but are not limited to:

  • MICHELIN REGGAE 130/90-10 F&R TL – 50805 (off roader)
  • Michelin S1 Performance Scooter Tire - 3.00J-10 (comfy ride)
  • Michelin S1 Performance Scooter Tire - 110/80J-10 (high performance)