Metzeler Lasertec or Michelin Macadam?

cow uh sake · 10-09-2008

Hi all, first time poster here. Just received a 1980 550C LTD as a trade for my beat up old Taurus SHO. There's only 41xx miles on the clock, and the break-in mileage sticker is still on the gauge cluster.

The tires are most likely original, they show lots of cracking. I have a brand new (old) Dunlop qualifier for the rear but I'm torn between two different front tires. This bike has the tubeless mags, so I'm trying to decide between the Michelin Macadam 50E and the Metzeler Lasertec. I don't need anything over H or V rated, and the Dunlop for the rear is an H rated tire. Which of these two would you go with?

Ericthejet · 10-09-2008

I use Michelin Macadams, great tire no complaints.

ratvespa · 10-09-2008

Im kind of a fan of the bridgestone BT batleaxe's, dual compound. but on my LTD1000 I just ran MAXXIS tires and they seemed to work good and were inexpensive, but most of my driving was stright line commuting.

gpzrocker · 10-10-2008

Both are top of the line tires. It is suggested to run the same brand/type front and back tires, and I have to agree. I have twice ran mismatches and don't like them.

I have ran a set of Pirelli Sport Demons and liked them, but my IRC Durotour does as much for me in spirited riding.

You could get 2 street sharks for the price of one of the more expensive brands, but I have not tested quality to my liking. I will tell you this though: ANY tire made today is vastly improved over the tires made 28 years ago.

So I will be carving the Blue Ridge on Street Sharks next year - that is, after I get engine guards and my spare fairing painted.

(This is the place for one of those cool smiley face icons that I see everywhere).

airforce1 · 10-10-2008

Well, didn't have a good vendor for the Mich here, so bought the Metz for the rear of my ole' cruiser.
The finish on the sidewalls was pretty cruddy, the performance is ok.
On a perfect day I would always select the Mich.
The story goes:
Francois Michelin built a good tire factory with an amazing design for the tires.
In time, the Germans arrived and wanted to take over the factory.
"Frank" saw them coming, wired the factory with explosives.
They told him they were commandeering the factory.
He told them it was wired and if they came in he would blow it up!
They left.
Myth? Legend? I'm not sure, but it makes a great story.
I like the spunk!
Beware of the dragon...

airforce1 · 10-10-2008

It's pretty obvious from your post that you are mechanically astute and thinking! Good.
If I could be so presumptuous as to suggest that as you are fixin' up this ride (sounds like a good one), would it be a good idea to take the m/c rider training course? Lots of the fellas on this forum have said that it was good for them.
I've been riding since I stepped off the Ark, but will be taking the advanced refresher from the PD fellas again, just to stay safe.
"Watch out for the cages, some of them just want to kill you and they don't even know any better!"
Congrats on your new ride, enjoy!

Nessism · 10-10-2008

Old motorcycle tires are questionable since the tire rubber gets old and hard. Most tires have a date code molded into the sidewall, if that "new" rear tires is more than 10 years old, you would be better off with something fresh.

The Cheng Shin Hi Max line of tires have an excellent reputation from people that have actually used them. Name brand loyalists sometimes bash these tires but most of these people have never tried them. My GS850 Suzuki has Kenda Challangers on it and they stick and wear nicely as well. I've also used Bridgestone BT45's on a couple of bikes and frankly, the Kenda's seem just as good to me.

cow uh sake · 10-10-2008

The Dunlop rear tire is about 5 years old, never mounted. I have another bike for screwing around-- my 1985 Yamaha FJ1100. It had Cheng Shin Hi-maxes on the front and rear. They were terrible, IMO. Way too slippery to be on the front of such a heavy bike. I'm still running the rear Hi-max but only because I have a new tire and wheel to be swapped in once my backordered sprocket comes in. I'm not opposed to running a mismatch as long as the speed ratings are similar and the front tire is the more sticky of the two. It seems like most of you like the Macadams. I'll probably go with that. Thanks!

Ericthejet · 10-10-2008

You will like the Michelins.

Nessism · 10-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cow uh sake

The Dunlop rear tire is about 5 years old, never mounted. I have another bike for screwing around-- my 1985 Yamaha FJ1100. It had Cheng Shin Hi-maxes on the front and rear. They were terrible, IMO. Way too slippery to be on the front of such a heavy bike. I'm still running the rear Hi-max but only because I have a new tire and wheel to be swapped in once my backordered sprocket comes in. I'm not opposed to running a mismatch as long as the speed ratings are similar and the front tire is the more sticky of the two. It seems like most of you like the Macadams. I'll probably go with that. Thanks!

Funny how opinions vary. Not doubting your personal experience but I've heard from a LOT of people that have used Hi Max tires on UJM type bikes with very positive results. They are not a sporting tire per say, and most people like them once they get over the fact that they are cheap and made in china.

cow uh sake · 10-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nessism

Funny how opinions vary. Not doubting your personal experience but I've heard from a LOT of people that have used Hi Max tires on UJM type bikes with very positive results. They are not a sporting tire per say, and most people like them once they get over the fact that they are cheap and made in china.

There is something to be said about the difference between the two bikes. The FJ is much more sporty than the LTD, and I'm sure I will never come close to the lean angle I can get out of the FJ while on the LTD. That being said, I'd still like that little extra sidewall coverage and softer compound for those emergencies that rear their ugly heads sometimes.

The price is right on the Cheng Shins. However, I like to be cheap on other things, like my meals and clothes. When it comes to the only contact between 500 pounds of motorcycle and cold, hard pavement, I'd like to have the extra insurance.

10-09-2008	#1 (permalink)
cow uh sake Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5	Metzeler Lasertec or Michelin Macadam? Hi all, first time poster here. Just received a 1980 550C LTD as a trade for my beat up old Taurus SHO. There's only 41xx miles on the clock, and the break-in mileage sticker is still on the gauge cluster. The tires are most likely original, they show lots of cracking. I have a brand new (old) Dunlop qualifier for the rear but I'm torn between two different front tires. This bike has the tubeless mags, so I'm trying to decide between the Michelin Macadam 50E and the Metzeler Lasertec. I don't need anything over H or V rated, and the Dunlop for the rear is an H rated tire. Which of these two would you go with?

10-09-2008	#2 (permalink)
Ericthejet Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The northeast! Posts: 1,705	I use Michelin Macadams, great tire no complaints. __________________ 1984 Ninja 900 (A1) To make it go faster I need to add more lightness!

10-10-2008	#9 (permalink)
Ericthejet Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The northeast! Posts: 1,705	You will like the Michelins. __________________ 1984 Ninja 900 (A1) To make it go faster I need to add more lightness!

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10-09-2008	#3 (permalink)
ratvespa Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 199	Im kind of a fan of the bridgestone BT batleaxe's, dual compound. but on my LTD1000 I just ran MAXXIS tires and they seemed to work good and were inexpensive, but most of my driving was stright line commuting.

10-10-2008	#4 (permalink)
gpzrocker Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Western NC Posts: 229	Both are top of the line tires. It is suggested to run the same brand/type front and back tires, and I have to agree. I have twice ran mismatches and don't like them. I have ran a set of Pirelli Sport Demons and liked them, but my IRC Durotour does as much for me in spirited riding. You could get 2 street sharks for the price of one of the more expensive brands, but I have not tested quality to my liking. I will tell you this though: ANY tire made today is vastly improved over the tires made 28 years ago. So I will be carving the Blue Ridge on Street Sharks next year - that is, after I get engine guards and my spare fairing painted. (This is the place for one of those cool smiley face icons that I see everywhere).

10-10-2008	#5 (permalink)
airforce1 BUBF BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 1,229	Well, didn't have a good vendor for the Mich here, so bought the Metz for the rear of my ole' cruiser. The finish on the sidewalls was pretty cruddy, the performance is ok. On a perfect day I would always select the Mich. The story goes: Francois Michelin built a good tire factory with an amazing design for the tires. In time, the Germans arrived and wanted to take over the factory. "Frank" saw them coming, wired the factory with explosives. They told him they were commandeering the factory. He told them it was wired and if they came in he would blow it up! They left. Myth? Legend? I'm not sure, but it makes a great story. I like the spunk! Beware of the dragon...

10-10-2008	#6 (permalink)
airforce1 BUBF BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 1,229	It's pretty obvious from your post that you are mechanically astute and thinking! Good. If I could be so presumptuous as to suggest that as you are fixin' up this ride (sounds like a good one), would it be a good idea to take the m/c rider training course? Lots of the fellas on this forum have said that it was good for them. I've been riding since I stepped off the Ark, but will be taking the advanced refresher from the PD fellas again, just to stay safe. "Watch out for the cages, some of them just want to kill you and they don't even know any better!" Congrats on your new ride, enjoy!

10-10-2008	#7 (permalink)
Nessism Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 132	Old motorcycle tires are questionable since the tire rubber gets old and hard. Most tires have a date code molded into the sidewall, if that "new" rear tires is more than 10 years old, you would be better off with something fresh. The Cheng Shin Hi Max line of tires have an excellent reputation from people that have actually used them. Name brand loyalists sometimes bash these tires but most of these people have never tried them. My GS850 Suzuki has Kenda Challangers on it and they stick and wear nicely as well. I've also used Bridgestone BT45's on a couple of bikes and frankly, the Kenda's seem just as good to me.

10-10-2008	#8 (permalink)
cow uh sake Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5	The Dunlop rear tire is about 5 years old, never mounted. I have another bike for screwing around-- my 1985 Yamaha FJ1100. It had Cheng Shin Hi-maxes on the front and rear. They were terrible, IMO. Way too slippery to be on the front of such a heavy bike. I'm still running the rear Hi-max but only because I have a new tire and wheel to be swapped in once my backordered sprocket comes in. I'm not opposed to running a mismatch as long as the speed ratings are similar and the front tire is the more sticky of the two. It seems like most of you like the Macadams. I'll probably go with that. Thanks!

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