Tire Care and Safety

Here are some "Do's" and "Don'ts" for the care of your tires and with this, your safety.

1) Do, keep the correct pressure in your tires. Tire pressure increases and decreases due to temperature,if you set your tire pressure on a day it is 90 degrees outside then the next day it is 45 degrees outside, the pressure in the tire has changed. If you set the pressure while the tire is still hot, when the tire cools down the pressure will be incorrect. Check your owners manual for the correct tire pressure for your riding habits.

2) Do, keep a valve cap on your valve stems. Make sure it is a valve cap for a motor vehicle, with a rubber gasket in the top, and not a cool looking pair of dice that you got at your local superstore.Valve caps do not only keep debris and water out of your valve stem, they keep the air in your tire. The rotation of the wheel can be enough to cause a valve core to open due to the centrifugal force generated.

3) Do, check your valve stems for cracks and deformations. If you have a rubber valve stem make sure that it stands up straight. If your valve stem is bent to one side or the other it needs to be replaced. This deformity is caused by the centrifugal force generated by the spinning wheel. There is nothing wrong with rubber valve stems, they just need to be of the short variety. Also it is a good idea to use a light, but correct, valve cap.

4) Do, check the tread depth across the complete width of your tire. Michelin tires have wear indicators- they wear smooth when the tread depth of your tire is less then .8mm (1/32"). If your tread depth becomes less then this your tires should be replaced.

5) Do, have your tires installed and balanced by a reputable dealer. Don't let someone tell you, "it's a motorcycle you don't need to balance the tires!". Calmly pick up your checkbook and run like hell.

6) Don't, use rubber-appearance-enhancement products on the tread of your tire; don't even get it near the tread. These products can cause a loss of traction.

7) Don't, park your motorcycle in oil spots in a parking lot. You may pick up residual oil causing a loss of traction. If you get oil, or anything except water, on your tires clean them with soap and water as soon as possable.

Speed Ratings

ISO (International Standards Organization) LOAD/SPEED INDEX:

This code, when present, appears after the size marking. The code comprises three characters-- two numbers and a letter. e.g. "67H." The two-digit number is a code for the maximum load carrying capacity of the tire. The letter is a maximum speed rating indicating the maximum speed at which the tire may be used with maximum load when the maximum listed inflation pressure is used.

Where the markings listed below appear in the body of the size description (between the width and wheel diameter) and where no ISO Load/Speed Index is present, they have the following meanings.

Bike Control is Greatly Enhanced

With Michelin Pilot radials, you're the one in control. The Pilot Radials absorb more shock so there's less tendency for bumps to upset the trajectory of your bike in straightaways, corners, or hairpin turns. Since Pilot Radials soak up small road irregularities you have the option of stiffening your suspension for improved high speed control and increased ground clearance on tight cornering. And they don't stop there. The Pilot Radial's construction translates into quicker, easier cornering with less rider fatigue due to the reduced gyroscopic effect. This makes the bike easier to flick from side to side.

Ease of Handling and Stability

The first thing most riders notice when they put a Michelin Radial-equiped bike through its paces is an amazing new feeling of confidence. The Michelin radial design makes cornering so much easier and more precise that you will find yourself taking the turns more aggressively.
And with this newfound cornering confidence comes a marked improvement in stability, giving the overall package a ride which simply feels like magic.

Consistency and Durability

With our motorcycle radial technology, Michelin has rewritten the rules on performance and durability. Michelin radials deliver mileage levels previously unheard of in tires of such outstanding performance. And that performance is designed to last throughout the life of the tire.

Improved Heat Resistance

The radial design reduces heat generated by eliminating much of the internal friction associated with bias-ply tires. Since heat can greatly reduce tire life, both in the tread and the casing, the lower operating temperatures of radials can greatly increase the life of the tire.