pilot active rear

[ME 109]

I've just worn out my first pilot active rear and thought I'd share.
7,500 kilometres and it's definitely worn out. Some would say worn out 1000 k ago.

The Michelin pilot active rear is the replacement for my favourite tyre, the Michelin mac50, which unfortunately is no longer available.
The pilot active performed perhaps as well as the Mac50 in that it hung on just as well in the dry tight stuff, although it seemed a little more slippery than the Mac when the tyre was cold.
I treat all wet roads with the same respect no matter what tyres I have on. I found no issues with the pilot active in the wet.

Michelin claimed that the pilot active was going to give better mileage by a fair margin, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Mac50 repeatedly gave me 7-8,000 kilometres.

One thing that the pilot active does, as did the Mac50, is that it maintains its round profile.
Other tyres I've tried such as Bridgestone BT45 and Metzeler ME77 flattened (squared) off well before the end of the tyre's life.

This 'flattening off' of the rear tyre is one of the main contributors to the rubber cow syndrome, imo. It is the dominant factor in my choice for a rear tyre.

What is my next rear tyre? Another pilot active I 'spose. (Actually, it's in the mail )

[khittner1]

I've put 3000 miles (I guess that's 5000 kilometers, right?) on my Pilot Activ rear, and have no obvious signs of wear. That's as close as I've seen to the venerable Metzeler ME-88 Marathon, at 60% of the price. I can get it in the correct 4.00 x 18 size, and it doesn't show any signs of the premature sidewall checking that I've come to expect from Metzelers. I just hope that Michelin's sales to old airhead types are sufficient to keep it in production for awhile.

Konrad

[enigmaT120]

Dang it. I was going to try them for my next set. I only get maybe 5,000 miles from Bridgestone S11 Spitfires or (only tried one set) the Battleaxe BT45. Having to change tires twice a year gets old. Of course, it wouldn't happen every year. Every other year I guess.

[DucatiPete]

Thanks for the review, Jeph, and additional info Konrad.
i know Charlie (Airbear) also swears by them.
I plan to give 'em a crack once these metzlers have done their best (worse?).
Keep it upright,
pete

[SteveD]

I'm using them too and will buy them again.

I put them on in September last year and have done about 6K kms since with plenty left.
Handling seems very good to.

[chasbmw]

Mine seem to wearing well, I've gone back to standard sizes on both my bikes, I think that the michelins give a really great mix of agility and stability, better than the BT45 and Avon roadriders fitted previously.

They seem to be a very stiff tyre, watched the tyre fitter struggle with my front yesterday and you get the advantages of modern rubber compounds and carcass design, must be better than the tyres designed 30 years ago that are still in production.

[ME 109]

I haven't tried a pilot active front. The lasertec front is a giant killer and is my No.1

I'm keen to hear more from others regarding the effects of a flattened off rear. (tyre )

[chasbmw]

ME. I think that we must agree to disagree about the Lazertech front!

I found that in wet and slippery UK, that my Lazertech would be really upset by white lines, road repairs and the cats eyes that we had on UK roads. This was 20 years ago and maybe the spec has been changed on the Lazertech.

The Michelin front seems to be unruffled by wet roads, even when I provoke it, better than the BT45 and much better than the Roadrider.

[barryh]

I'm keen to hear more from others regarding the effects of a flattened off rear. (tyre )

When I first bought my airhead it had an unnerving rubber cow like wobble when crossing raised white lines at speed. I assumed it was the worn front tire but a new one made no difference. The rear had loads of tread left but having previously been ridden by an upright citizen it was decidedly flattened in the center. With a new rear the wobbles disappeared completely.

[ME 109]

ME. I think that we must agree to disagree about the Lazertech front!

OK, and understood. My experiences are predominantly on dry roads.
Are you referring to the mac50e or the new pilot active front?