The Michelins love air pressure. At least on the touring bikes, I run a couple more PSI in them than the stock Dunlops. 40 front, 42 rear. On my 2011 RK, the stock tires were worn completely out at 13k. Put on the Michelins and got 24k out of them before trading the bike in for my '14 model. On it, got 15k out of the stock tires and still had some tread left. I'm looking for at least 24k again out of the new Michelins that I just put on a couple of weeks ago. Again, at least on the RK, they ride MUCH better than the stock Dunlops.

 

I think so too. I'm running 42/44 on my 07 Ultra. And I swear I can feel when they are down 2 pounds just because they start feeling squirrely. But it does seem like they hold pressure better than any tire I've ever had. I think I have to add air only because Ive checked them too much. However I'm running Ride-On tire sealant/balancer and that may be contributing to the less loss of air pressure.

 

Finding these numbers hard to believe. I got 5k miles out of my stock dunlop rear tyre. Now on Avon. Time will tell how that compares mileage-wise. But as for handling, it's streets ahead.

 

Doubt that is possible as Ride On only adheres to the inside riding surface of the tire. Have changed many tires since I started using Ride On and love the stuff but the only time it will keep from air loss is if you get a puncture in the riding surface. I can attest to that first hand.

 

My first 4 rear tires - Lops - 401's I got 10k give/take a few hundred.

The MCII's that I put on last change now has 11k on them and the Rear may go another 1500 miles or so. It has 4/32'nds of tread left. So it is a little better wearing than the Lops.

What is surprising to me is the Front MC-II is wearing out faster than the rear, I am almost due now for a new front as its already down to 2.5/32nds

The stock Front Lop -402 (I've had two of them in the 1st 40K) Both went 20k and both could have went another 2k easy.


I change my tires when they get down to 2/32'nds

As you say,, they are/will not get anywhere near 2x the wear as Michelin said they would VS the I got with the Stock Lops.

I will look at either the new 888's or and the 2nd generation Elites for the next change, but, no more MC-II's for me.



I've also ran 2 #'s more air in the Michilens CII's... 40 front and 38 rear..










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When comparing rear tire mileage we must consider rear wheel alignment into the equation. One guy gets 10,000 miles, the next guy gets 6,000 miles. Wheel alignment can play a huge factor along with other things like riding style, air pressure etc. But rear wheel alignment is rarely taken into account.

 

So you don't think having less surfaces to ooze air through will change a thing. From basically 3 to 2. Sure seems it would have some impact. I've just never had a set of tires need so little added air but it's also the first time I've used Ride-On. Love the way it balanced the tires too. Smoothest I've ever been on. I am glad that you can confirm the sealant part works. A 2fer that really works.

 

I think you're going to find (at least this is what happened in my case), that all of a sudden, they stop wearing as much. When mine got down to about 3/32"s, they just seemed to stop. Like I mentioned, I had 24k on mine when I traded it in. Both had just gotten to the 2/32" point and I feel I could have easily gotten another 1k out of them considering how long it took for them to get from 3-4/32's down to 2/32's. Keep checking and see if that doesn't also happen for you. I also think you've got your air pressure backwards. The rear tire should have more air in it than the front one.

 

I don't want to start any arguments here because each person has their own idea of what proper tire pressure should be according to their own bike but I got curious and checked my manual and the rear tire has more pressure than the front and as more weight is added to the rear, the air pressure is increased to compensate for it. On a personal note, I've learned how to read my tire wear and since I don't always follow what I am told to do, I have my own idea of what pressure that I need in those tires and that might be why I can get more mileage than some do.

 

Just a note on the MC II. I always measure the tread depth on the new tires and surprisingly the front was at 4.25/32 (rear was 9.5/32). My Dunlops and ME880 front tires (new) have all been closer to 5/32. SJ Ron