FAQ for motorbikes

See Michelin’s answers to frequently asked questions below to learn more about our tyres and our company

Recommendations

Which tyre is most appropriate for my vehicle?

To get our best recommendation for your motorbike, please use our tyre selector.

If there are no recommendations for your vehicle in our tyre selector, we recommend contacting your local tyre dealer. Alternatively, contact us.

Can I fit my vehicle with tyres of different dimensions from the originals?

Compliance with the original tyre dimensions for the vehicle is essential for user safety, comfort and tyre durability. It is a key factor for optimal vehicle behaviour and changes will alter the geometry giving unwanted handling anomalies and could also affect insurance cover. We strongly recommend not to do so, unless an alternative size is validated by the vehicle manufacturer.

Can I fit two different tyres front and rear?

Our product ranges are developed to give the best combined performance between the front and rear tyres. This is why we strongly recommend that you use a single type for your vehicle, even if mixing different types is possible.  Tyres of the same family can sometimes be mixed, in this case we would recommend fitting the best performing tyre to the front wheel for safety.

Pressure

What is the correct pressure for my tyres on the road?

The recommended tyre pressures for road use are set by the vehicle manufacturer. They can be found in the Owner's Manual of the vehicle, or on the vehicle itself. The inflation pressure indicated in these documents is for inflation when cold. In the absence of these documents, contact the motorcycle manufacturer.

NB: The maximum pressure indicated on the tyre should under no circumstances be considered safe for road usage. This marking is to show the maximum tyre pressure at the maximum load and is indicative of the safety capability of the tyre, not the running conditions.

What is the correct pressure for my tyres on the track?

The inflation pressure for track use is often different than for road use due to the very intense nature of track use. This is indicated in the Michelin tyre documentation for track product ranges. It may also be consulted online at On track: Correct Track Pressure. If you do not have this information to hand, refer to the tyre expert at your track day.

When and how do I check pressure?

Check your motorcycle tyre pressure when the tyre is cold (ambient temperature). Michelin recommends checking the tyre pressure every two weeks and more frequently during long trips.

Never bleed air from a hot tyre. Normal use of tyres results in the air inside the tyre warming up and expanding and giving a higher tyre pressure reading than when cold. Removing air to set to cold tyre pressure recommendations will therefore result in reduced operating air pressure.

What are the consequences of under- or over-inflation?

Correct inflation is essential for user safety, comfort and tyre durability. Compliance with manufacture recommendations on inflation pressures is a key factor for road holding, both in a straight line and when cornering, even at moderate speeds and during braking.
Driving at pressures other than those recommended may result in premature wearing of the tyre, uneven wear and, in the case of under-inflation, irreversible damage to the tyre which can lead to sudden, complete deflation.

Durability

What is the average life and mileage expectancy of a tyre?

Average life and mileage expectancy are heavily dependent on the vehicle, usage and conditions of use and will vary accordingly. Michelin recommends taking account of 7 major factors affecting the durability of a tyre.

Some are directly within the control of the motorcyclist: inflation pressure, the load being transported, speed of vehicle, driving habits (braking and acceleration).

Some are not under driver control and require adjustments in riding: curves of the road, type of road surface, air temperature.

Tubeless and Tubetype Tyres

Are the tyres Tubeless or Tubetype?

Once you have searched by motorcycle on our tyre selector, you may browse Tubeless or Tubetype tyres using the filters in the left-hand column on our website. TT stands for Tubetype, and TL stands for Tubeless.  If the tyre has both markings – TT/TL – then it is suitable for either wheel rim type, but of course you would still need an inner tube on a Tubetype wheel rim.

Inner tyre

With which tyres is an inner tube required?

All our tyres are marked either TT (Tubetype) or TL (Tubeless). You need to fit an inner tube if your tyre is marked TT or if your wheel is TT.

Which is the most appropriate inner tube?

The dimension of the inner tube must correspond correctly to the dimension of the tyre. There may be more than one inner tube which is suitable, for example an additional heavy-duty option designed for off road use. Contact your local tyre dealer for advice.

Price, retailers, warranty

Where can I find a retailer?

Use our partner dealer locator to search by town, address or post code to find the dealer closest to you in just a few clicks. Alternatively, most tyre dealers can obtain and supply Michelin motorcycle and scooter products for you.

How are tyres priced?

The price of each tyre is dependent upon retailer pricing policy. Michelin is unable and unwilling to impose retail prices on retailers, who therefore remain free and independent when setting prices.

Promotions

What promotions are currently available?

Contact your local tyre dealer for information on our current offers or find us on Facebook.

What promotions are coming up?

Like us on Facebook to find out about upcoming offers. 

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