OK, I understand that good tires are important. Michelin producing a junk tire? Seriously, Michelin, recognized as one of the most respected brands of tires in the world, makes garbage?
Then I hear Metzeler is a great tire, yet few have ever heard of the brand. I work with many motorcycle riders a work. I respect their opinion very much. The same goes with you guys. This is why I ask.
Seriously, I ask about tires and you guys make it seem that I should not even consider Michelin tires at all. Any reasons or do you just prefer Metzeler because that is the way it is.
Michelin did not have the recalls Firestone has had. Bridgestone owns Firestone. I worked in NDT field service and have been around many different industries over the past 9 years. Bridgestone is not known, within the employees, as a company that builds the best product they can build. I refuse to buy anything made by Bridgestone anymore. I have worked in a Michelin tire plant. While working there, I felt as if the company put quality in their product over anything else. The employees cared about their jobs and went the extra mile to do the job right the first time, every time. Maybe it as just the plant, or maybe my biased opinion, but that was my observation. Dunlop tires were one of my favorite brand of tires ever...until Goodyear took control of them.
Goodyear is the worst brand of tire I have every used. 4 new vehicles all came new with Goodyear tires. All had issues withing the first 12,000 miles. Replaced with a different brand and tires were awesome. The 4th vehicle of that bunch is the one I currently drive. The OE Goodyear tire rode rough, no traction on wet roads, noise...you name it. Got a new set of tires after watching them being made (BF Goodrich...made by Michelin) and close to 60,000 miles later, they still ride great.
I know motorcycle tires are a whole different ball of wax, but I find it had to believe that I would expect Bridgestone to build Motorcycle tires better than car tires with better quality.
The value of the bike is not the purchase price. You can increase it's value by making improvements.
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Absolutly. I pay $500.00 for the bike and put $250.00 in tires on it. My bike is now worth $600.00. I put $150.00 in tires instead of the $250.00 tires and my bike is worth $600.00. This is a 31 year old bike. These are not Harley's that sell for more than they cost new. The SOHC4 bikes are great bikes that run forever. I know this. Some may even call them classics, but I just cant see investing half the purchase price for something that is no better than something much cheaper.
There is a difference between cheap and inexpensive.
Are you saying the Michelin or IRC tires are cheap tires?
Personally, I might cut corners here and there but tires are NOT something I would go low buck on, with a motorcycle. . .
So are you saying that Michelin because they are a low buck tire is garbage?
As I have said before, I want to best return of investment. I don't plan to ride the bike across the country. I don't lean the bike deep into corners. If that was the way I want to ride, I would buy a bike built for that. I need a tire that will be safe, reliable, nice looking, and wear nice. Ultimatly, something I will feel safe on.
Anything would be better than the $30.00 Cheng Shin tires already on the bike.
Tom