Michelin Macadam 100X Tyre review

[DemonWolf]

Well I'm nearing the end of the rear tyre's life.. I'll have to calculate how many K's I've put on it (later)...

Ok, done a quick calc here.. I've done commuting to work approximately 8732km's this is not counting the 11 weekends where I've done approximately off the top of my head another 2000km's (at least, I would imagine) So in 80 days, the tyre has done approx 11000km's.. the rear is quite stable, though even when warmed up under heavy engine braking will give a little slide\wiggle nothing major at all (perhaps the rear suspension isn't setup correctly for me.. haven't had it looked at).

I've had a couple 'moments' on wet white centre lines under heavy acceleration, black tar patches also on accerleration (which now I tend to avoid doing any acceleration when I'm on them).. also had a 'moment' this morning in the wet outside work's entrance where the front (by the way its got shiteloads of tread left.. I suspect it could outlast 2 more set of rears, or at the very least 1 more and be changed on the 2 set with the rear) slid coming off (turning into the driveway) a uneven reseal patch (lefthand lane had been resealed and the righthand lane was normal) with alot more stone chips embedded to a more 'worn out' normal road strip thats smoother it was a leg out action and a momentary 'fracken hell' nearly a change of undergarments as half metre ahead is a cattlestop.

meh.. looks like I'm going to have to sweettalk my darling partner into buying me another rear in acouple weeks.. chances right at the moment aren't looking good at all =(

[steved]

Well I'm nearing the end of the rear tyre's life.. I'll have to calculate how many K's I've put on it (later)...

Ok, done a quick calc here.. I've done commuting to work approximately 8732km's this is not counting the 11 weekends where I've done approximately off the top of my head another 2000km's (at least, I would imagine) So in 80 days, the tyre has done approx 11000km's.. the rear is quite stable, though even when warmed up under heavy engine braking will give a little slide\wiggle nothing major at all (perhaps the rear suspension isn't setup correctly for me.. haven't had it looked at).

I've had a couple 'moments' on wet white centre lines under heavy acceleration, black tar patches also on accerleration (which now I tend to avoid doing any acceleration when I'm on them).. also had a 'moment' this morning in the wet outside work's entrance where the front (by the way its got shiteloads of tread left.. I suspect it could outlast 2 more set of rears, or at the very least 1 more and be changed on the 2 set with the rear) slid coming off (turning into the driveway) a uneven reseal patch (lefthand lane had been resealed and the righthand lane was normal) with alot more stone chips embedded to a more 'worn out' normal road strip thats smoother it was a leg out action and a momentary 'fracken hell' nearly a change of undergarments as half metre ahead is a cattlestop.

meh.. looks like I'm going to have to sweettalk my darling partner into buying me another rear in acouple weeks.. chances right at the moment aren't looking good at all =(

Cool. Are you going to be getting the same set or is the front, after 11,000kms, still good?

[DemonWolf]

The Front will be left on until it needs to be changed.. not made out of money so can't really change it if I wanted.

As for the rear..

Well that entirely depends on what the partner says... though I'd like to get a stickier tyre for the winter months.. we've only had a couple real wet days since february that I've been out in... So I can't really say how they hold up in wet wet conditions, or even wet cold conditions.

[The Stranger:Me]

Ok you just upset my morning.
I note in your first thread you say you only got 3.5-4k out of the Z6.

I went to the Z6 on the understanding this was a sport touring tyre and I should expact to get 10-12k from them.

What milage should I expect from a Z6?

On the plus side the Z6 is a nice tyre and excellent in the wet, I would rate it ahead of either the Avon Azaro or the Avon Viper in the wet, however to be fair to the viper I had FA time on it in the wet.

One thing I found interesting going from the Viper to the Z6 though. The performance of the Z6 is noticably better if I stiffen the compression damping one click from where was ideal for the Viper.

[MSTRS:Me]

The Front will be left on until it needs to be changed.. not made out of money so can't really change it if I wanted.

As for the rear..

Well that entirely depends on what the partner says... though I'd like to get a stickier tyre for the winter months.. we've only had a couple real wet days since february that I've been out in... So I can't really say how they hold up in wet wet conditions, or even wet cold conditions.

I'd never put a stickier tyre on the rear, without being very sure of the front's performance. Rear washout is preferable to front, surely?

[DemonWolf]

Ok you just upset my morning.
I note in your first thread you say you only got 3.5-4k out of the Z6.

I went to the Z6 on the understanding this was a sport touring tyre and I should expact to get 10-12k from them.

What milage should I expect from a Z6?
....

I've been told that a possible reason why my Z6 didn't last long was due to the fact I used unknown quality petrolstation air gauges (which I'm told there are only a couple known to be calibrated correctly) which I've also gone and got my own gauge. And the riding I did over the summer period was.. shall we say quite spirited.. getting to know the capability of the bike =) and that I've got a VTwin and not a inline4...

[DemonWolf]

I'd never put a stickier tyre on the rear, without being very sure of the front's performance. Rear washout is preferable to front, surely?

Yep, that would be preferable.. I'd get some concensus going before I chose another rear to ensure rider safety.. its just that I'm wary with the current slight sliding\wiggle of the rear under braking etc.. I would prefer not to have this while in the winter months, especially out here in Kapuni where its very cold, wet and windy in winter.

[Blackbird]

It's that old chestnut of "fitness for purpose" again. When I bought the Blackbird, it had the 90X forerunners of the 100X tyres on it. Tyre life was incredible (>10000 km) but the rear tended to step out if I got on the gas too early coming out of corners and I wasn't all that confident as a result. I'm not interested in a super grippy tyre like a Viper which only lasts for 3000 km as I simply couldn't justify the expense, so settled on the "B" load specification Azaro ST45/46 combination which gives me reasonable grip and a life of around 6000 km.

There are probably very few genuinely bad tyres on the market these days. It's all about what's right for your particular riding style and bike weight.

[DemonWolf]

Blackbird, I agree totally... riding style is a huge factor and bike setup (for the rider).. Will have to look into the Azaro when I get the chance.

cheers

[nadroj]

Either stick to the Macadam or Pilot Road as going any stickier will compromise wet riding as they have less grooves to pump the water out.
Also check out the Michelin web site where the comparison chart shows the wet & dry angles of lean on specific tyres.

[DemonWolf]

Well the Macadam has done its bit. Canvas is showing so now I'm 'borrowed' the partners car to get to work.. until I sort out another rear tyre.. and I'll prolly stay with a Macadam for now.

So at last tally I figured roughly 11k which is prolly a tad bit optimistic. So I'll class it as at least a good 9-10.5k continous commuting with some good blats put in.

Once the new tyre is on (again prolly a Macadam) I'll know how it holds out during the winter season. All in all, its a good stable tyre, I've had a few 'moments' with it, though thats more likely my riding style. i.e. heavy engine braking into corners. One moment on white road marking lines. All in all I'm happy with the performance of the tyre for its type. Just need to be aware that it takes abit longer to get up to running temperature.

[steved]

Sweet as DemonWolf. Thanks for the long-term testing. Almost 10,000km out of a rear tyre is pretty amazing for a bike as powerful as yours.

[Lou Girardin]

I've ditched the Macadams for Z6's. They are like chalk and cheese, one circuit on the Coro loop with the Mich's really put me off. I had no confidence in the front at reasonable lean angles, the Z6's feel like they'll never let go.
BTW Can, I get 9 - 10,000 out of Z6's, but you're bike is heavier and more powerful, not a good combination if you push it a bit.

[DemonWolf]

Lou Girardin

I've tried a Z6 rear.. but didn't get much over 4k on it (perhaps it wasn't inflated at the correct psi).. which is why I tried the Macadams... but you are right, the Z6 is a much more stickier tyre for sure.. though I was looking for longer wear.. as I'm a tight bstard with a partner that spends like mad renovating =/ and keeeps yelling at me when I buy stuff for the bike =(

[The Stranger:Me]

Well the Macadam has done its bit. Canvas is showing so now I'm 'borrowed' the partners car to get to work.. until I sort out another rear tyre.. and I'll prolly stay with a Macadam for now.

Ok, now to get shot down in flames.

Try the Avon Azaro.
The Azaro did 8,000km on the Blackbird and only looked about half worn. Was a bloody good tyre, only 2 minor issues in the wet (both under full power)

The Z6 I have now on the X11 is a better tyre, but really doesn't look like it is going to last me 10,000, that was the target I had in mind when I bought it.

After the Macadam on the Yamaha at Taupo, I will go to the Azaro on the X11 next time.