Topic: Tyres- Michelin road Classics & Continental ContiGo

[Tim2005]

Hi all,  has anyone tried either of these tyre types? All feedback welcomed, I'm trying to decide what to try next on my Seeley, I've run it for 30-odd years on Metzelers, first ME33/99s now Lasertecs, and been very happy with them. However I couldn't find stock last time so went to Avon Roadrider, also an excellent tyre (I really love them on a 400F). However, the Avon seems to have quite a rounded profile compared to the Metzeler & either it doesn't suit the bike or I just am taking years to get used to it. On the plus side the Avons are lasting much longer than the Metzelers did.  Both brands seem to grip perfectly well for my quite sporting riding in most weathers. 

I need new ones again. I can stick with Avons. Or I can go back to Metzelers as stocks are available again now, though as the Metzelers are a pretty old design now I'm tempted to try something more modern. Prices etc are pretty similar. Hence I was wondering how the Michelin & Conti ones are, they seem the highest rated ones of the modern types, do they have a flatter or more rounded profile? What's the wear rate like?  All thoughts welcome...

[Kevin D]

Tim, you might strike ContiGo tires from your want list. Here in the US they have been recalled due to a test bench failure. Here is the thread with articles and discussion. There were no on road failures.
I only had them fitted to my CB for one season, a couple thousand miles without issue.
I did find that the rear ContiGo 120-90 x 18 65v to be slightly wider than other tires I have run, causing an interference with the brake stay arm, requiring mods.
 I am a Bridgestone user for the most part, Spitfire S11, BattlAxBT45, and now my first set of BattlAxBT46.  The BT 45’s were ok but showed unusual wear at higher mileages, hopefully addressed on the BT 46.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190515.0/all.html

[seanbarney41]

I have the Michelins on my '82 Suzuki gs1100e and they are some of the best tires I have used on any bike  Grip is excellent as the powerful and heavy but still nimble nature of the big old Suzy really puts a tire to the test.  Seems like durability is hangin in there better than most sport oriented tires too, but I have only used them about 2500 miles.  In the past, big Suzy would fully devour a Continental TKV12 in about 3000 miles.

[Don R]

 I got the Michelins on my 78 gl1000. I'm a conservative rider but really like them so far and after a few thousand miles don't see much wear at all.

[PeWe]

My K6 has Michelin Road Classic. Rather new model.

I like them, rear tire has done 8000 km so far and will last a little longer.
I have a new waiting to replace the old.

This despite several tire torturing dyno runs. 3 times with at least 3-4 full power runs each time
(104-107whp).

It is a little bit flat but still OK handling for cruising, but keep the sudden tire profile corners in mind when cornering. High speed long curves above 160kmh need more attention

Rear: 130/80-18 on 3" wide rim.
Pressure 40PSI

Front: 100/90-18  2.15" rim.
Pressure 32PSI

Longest lasting rear on this side of end of 1980's.

Tested from 2014
(On CB750 stock rims 1.85-19, 2.15-18)

Metzeler Lasertec
Dunlop  Streetsmart
Above 120/90-18 and 4.0-18
4.0-18 has better handling longer.  Max 5000km
120/90 became flat and handling snaky curves occured after 3500km changed at max 4500km.

Heidenau K36 4.0-18 around 5000km

Metzeler Road Tec 01 120/90 and 4.0-18.
Good handling to around 6000 km.
120/90 had OK handling until replacement despite more flat than 4.0.

Front tire scalloped quickly with horrible handling at 10000 km.

[BomberMann650]

The road classics have the speed rating a proper bike needs.

For some reason - tire makers assumed the street bikes running 18 and 19 inch rims were little putt putts or half ton hogs. 

Michelin filled that market space between

[Don R]

 I've narrowed it to BT46 or the old-style Avon Speedmaster. The question is, am I restoring it or making it my rider? 
 

[Tim2005]

In the end I chickened out and went Roadrider again, I have found that with a slight change in riding style I was happier with them, then I had a look for Michelin Road Classics at our local Friday night bike meet, must have been over 100 bikes on Avons and not a single bike on Michelins for me to check out the profiles on. Maybe next time though...

[PeWe]

Here how a Michelin Road Classic can look like when new
130/80-18, 3.0" rim

[Don R]

 All right, which one of you guys bought up all of the BT46 4.00X18's?  I found two last night and today they are both sold out. L0L!

[newday777]

All right, which one of you guys bought up all of the BT46 4.00X18's?  I found two last night and today they are both sold out. L0L!

I bought 1 a week ago from Chapmoto.

Edit.... yup outta stock now....

[leovich]

Michelin road classic are good tires, but Bridgestone BT46 seems to be better by me

[PeWe]

Michelin road classic are good tires, but Bridgestone BT46 seems to be better by me

- How long did the Michelin survive for you?

Interesting to know if 4.0-18 also survive that long as my 130/80.

My Michelin tire has so far done 8250km, 5126 miles and still ok to ride.
As I wrote before, 3 dyno visits really made wear on that tire.
So 10.000km (6213miles) should be possible despite some harder accelerations.

A tire that is stable with ok grip that live longer is a good thing. Expensive fuel but lower tire cost.

Tire/tyre experiences with milage is interesting to gather in a thread.
-Why not here?

I have a new Michelin tire waiting to get on.

My K2 has a new Metzeler ME77 4.0-18 waiting to be mounted.  Mostly for the old style thread.

[leovich]

Michelin road classic are good tires, but Bridgestone BT46 seems to be better by me

- How long did the Michelin survive for you?

Interesting to know if 4.0-18 also survive that long as my 130/80.

My Michelin tire has so far done 8250km, 5126 miles and still ok to ride.
As I wrote before, 3 dyno visits really made wear on that tire.
So 10.000km (6213miles) should be possible despite some harder accelerations.

A tire that is stable with ok grip that live longer is a good thing. Expensive fuel but lower tire cost.

Tire/tyre experiences with milage is interesting to gather in a thread.
-Why not here?

I have a new Michelin tire waiting to get on.

My K2 has a new Metzeler ME77 4.0-18 waiting to be mounted.  Mostly for the old style thread.

I don’t know in this bikes how much they can ride but on new triumph bonneville ( I work in a triumph shop) they’re done after 8000, 10’000 km.
The Bridgestone BT46 last less but in my opinion they handle better

[RAFster122s]

Bridgestone has a rebate on many of their tires currently in the US, partzilla sent me an email about it today.

[Don R]

 I ordered the BT46 set with tubes from Summit Racing, the rear is back ordered until next month and today I see Chapparal has them in stock again. Just my luck.

[PeWe]

Michelin road classic are good tires, but Bridgestone BT46 seems to be better by me

- How long did the Michelin survive for you?

Interesting to know if 4.0-18 also survive that long as my 130/80.

My Michelin tire has so far done 8250km, 5126 miles and still ok to ride.
As I wrote before, 3 dyno visits really made wear on that tire.
So 10.000km (6213miles) should be possible despite some harder accelerations.

A tire that is stable with ok grip that live longer is a good thing. Expensive fuel but lower tire cost.

Tire/tyre experiences with milage is interesting to gather in a thread.
-Why not here?

I have a new Michelin tire waiting to get on.

My K2 has a new Metzeler ME77 4.0-18 waiting to be mounted.  Mostly for the old style thread.

I don’t know in this bikes how much they can ride but on new triumph bonneville ( I work in a triumph shop) they’re done after 8000, 10’000 km.
The Bridgestone BT46 last less but in my opinion they handle better

The handling of a good CB750 will give up earlier compared to a much newer Triumph

A much newer and better handling bike will stretch the tire behavior closer to its limit.

I think that different bikes have different needs of tires.

[simon#42]

I find the continental classic attack tyres the best followed by bt45s . Not tried the 46s yet . Did try Avon road riders but did not like them at all and took them off after a week , spoke to Avon about them and was told they are not a performance tyre !

[HondaMan]

I find the continental classic attack tyres the best followed by bt45s . Not tried the 46s yet . Did try Avon road riders but did not like them at all and took them off after a week , spoke to Avon about them and was told they are not a performance tyre !

Yep, they are a tourer, for heavy loads and less than 100 HP. Good in the wet, though, too.

[Tim2005]

Here how a Michelin Road Classic can look like when new
130/80-18, 3.0" rim

Thanks PeWe, that's very useful, I'll definitely consider these next time I need some tyres. Lots of tread grooves, I imagine they are good in the wet.

[leovich]

Michelin road classic are good tires, but Bridgestone BT46 seems to be better by me

- How long did the Michelin survive for you?

Interesting to know if 4.0-18 also survive that long as my 130/80.

My Michelin tire has so far done 8250km, 5126 miles and still ok to ride.
As I wrote before, 3 dyno visits really made wear on that tire.
So 10.000km (6213miles) should be possible despite some harder accelerations.

A tire that is stable with ok grip that live longer is a good thing. Expensive fuel but lower tire cost.

Tire/tyre experiences with milage is interesting to gather in a thread.
-Why not here?

I have a new Michelin tire waiting to get on.

My K2 has a new Metzeler ME77 4.0-18 waiting to be mounted.  Mostly for the old style thread.

I don’t know in this bikes how much they can ride but on new triumph bonneville ( I work in a triumph shop) they’re done after 8000, 10’000 km.
The Bridgestone BT46 last less but in my opinion they handle better

The handling of a good CB750 will give up earlier compared to a much newer Triumph

A much newer and better handling bike will stretch the tire behavior closer to its limit.

I think that different bikes have different needs of tires.

In fact on my 750 I use the original Dunlop tires, more for the look that have, on 400 four and 125 twin I use heidenau tires, they look like 70’s tires but with modern rubber compound,
But I’m sure if one is going to use the bike as a all days runner it’s much better to put on modern pattern tires

[Stev-o]

In the end I chickened out and went Roadrider again...

I have the RoadRiders on my Z1 and like them very much. I believe you are in the UK and those tires are still made there so can understand why so many bikes have them.

There was a time they were hard to find here in the US, but are readily available now, I will need a front soon.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235041749376?hash=item36b9947980:g:jtoAAOSwL2RkjgYN&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8Fsw6eRR5GNI3aZuPqBZ8fle4Cij0tnHUcwIEJLgb6kEv3dFICkb8A%2FokjWFQllzkwGr8D6VXigpVzLwKAmwusJH0j8mSN%2B7Mm5LkMi84Yw9vVQJjq05xMki%2BFOCTMEufvzNW2e6pEEztzzPna1vZZQf0cjRHOomsxPpRlW6pc0JYI%2FSybQCzI14Q5xiRNLzvIfU%2B3kWjJOfdXtaYPQajK7oDb%2FUr69eDEDP9W8LI%2FH7U8DO6j7R%2Fy37CRpBKgf9nv5V6G%2FUfNQABgl4H3a9IyAfOoz9SfPOCvwCUFG4MIEpOk%2B1yT2D9MfIyUOZIyUBLA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6Co46itYg

[RAFster122s]

Bridgestone is running a sale, so if you are looking to buy Bridgestone do it quick as people gobble them up while on sale…

[Don R]

 I ordered the BT46 in 3.25x19 and 4.00x18 from Summit Racing because I get racer discount, (Not a lot) and everyone else was out of stock of the rears, also summit at least gave a ship date. The next day, other suppliers showed them in stock. Fudge. I wasn't aware I could still get Roadriders either, I liked the ones I had on my 750 F1.
 I think a lot of folks are ordering now in case UPS goes on strike and makes a shipping backlog. I did.
 Every tire UPS brings here is covered in fine powder. I'm assuming his route is on a lot of gravel roads.

[PeWe]

I could not help myself this morning.
Ordered 3 x Michelin tires;D
3.25-19
4.0-18
130/80-18

I saw that the Metzeler Roadtec 01 cost at least +30% more than 1 year ago.
Michelin still as before. That helped my trigger finger. (Michelin is my choice despite price anyway.)
Tire prices will most likely increase due to our crazy world with too many idiots in charge.

The Classic Road tires on my K6 have impressed me.

Rear 130/80-18 is still operating after 8536 km (5304 miles).

Front 100/90-19 look good too after 7010 km (4355 miles)

Rear tire look flat but OK for rides.
A heavy rain catched me yesterday when riding home. I had to twist the throttle a few times to pass slow going cars, trucks and a bus.

I was prepared to get rear slip but that did not happen despite wet asphalt.

I tried to get rear spin on my street close to home twisting on 2nd gear. Good grip
I had planned to replace that tire today. I'll give it >1000 km more.

That rear tire has been abused by 3 dyno visits. 104.5, 107.5, 107whp DIN.

On the road, mostly cruising in almost legal speed mixed with some wot on 3-5 gears.

Best tire since the 80's when 8000km was expected life for rear tire.
This tire has better grip though.

I'm NOT a racer bending the bike and twisting the throttle with my knees close to the road