Michelin Mac 50 report

[Diderich]

The local shops only had Mac 50s in stock here, in the stock size. Since my stock tires on my '01 were shot, and I'd picked up a half inch self tapping screw in my rear, I bought the rear.  Put it on, and really didn't notice much difference, but I haven't had a chance to rag em out yet.

Last night i finally got the front put on...whoa...weird.  This is my first bike and my first tire change, and I admit I'm a little alarmed at the handling change of the bike.  I'm not sure if it is good or bad yet.  I've been taking it easy so i don't wash out on the mold release, but there is already some weird stuff going on.  

First of all, it feels like there is more gyroscopic effect of the tire, like it resists turning.  Conversely, the bike falls into corners quite easily now, but once planted feels nice and steady.  I'm already taking corners almost as fast as with the old stockers, but with half the effort.  This is a good thing, but i didn't expect to feel as much difference between the old and new tires this far from the handling limits of the bike when I didn't change the tire sizes at all.

[JLKasper]

Hey, keep me posted on how you like the Mac 50s.  I have a set on the GS I just purchased, and the rear is squared off and ready for replacement.  I've read an online reviewer's report, and they didn't recommend them due to weird changes in handling characteristics that can occur between one model bike and another.  On Pablo's site, there is a three page dissertation on tire replacements, and the Mac 50s aren't even mentioned.

However, if you like the M50s after you break them in, I'd be tempted to keep the front tire and just replace the rear with another M50.  

[Diderich]

unfortuneatly i know nothing about nothing.  This is my first bike and first set of aftermarket tires.  I'm not an aggressive rider, and there aren't a lot of curves here on the third coast.  I'm sure i don't stress the tires as much as i should.  

Alot of the weirdness i felt is evidently normal when you first put tires on, talking to my riding buddies.  I put another 100 miles on this morning, and I'm starting to like how they feel.  Much less twitchy in the long fast sweepers, than the stock crap.  I feel much more planted when i turn.  In all i'm happy.

Are they better than other aftermarket tires?  I don't know.  They certainly are more expensive...and they are french...and i'm sick of the french dominating the world rally championship.

[Blueknyt]

If the damn rims were wider, id love to be running 207's, they seem to stick no matter what, asfar as street stress is concerned.

[Gisser]

M50's are more of a touring tire for ride comfort, high mileage, wet traction.  All good.  I like my quality tires to ride like quality tires.  Other brands may be aimed more at the "sportbike" niche, but, in these rim sizes, the difference is as much about marketing than actual performance I suspect.  Some offer better feedback when pushed to the limit.

M50 fronts had the reputation for "cupping" (irregular tread wear) but have since been replaced by the improved 50E.  I would recommend getting this matching front as soon as possible so you can enjoy and evaluate the full Michelin experience.

[dgyver]

If the damn rims were wider, id love to be running 207's, they seem to stick no matter what, asfar as street stress is concerned.

Be glad they don't fit...207's suck!

[squidscareme]

i used to like 207's on my yzf600r. they were the best!  

[dgyver]

The best you know is the best you have ridden.
Very low performance tire. They are too hard and make the bike stand up in a turn while under braking.

[squidscareme]

i'm not a racer or anything but doesn't the tire perform differently on different bikes?  :dunno:
i still say that on the road they were great. there may have been even better tires but those were great.

[dgyver]

They may perform slightly differently due to geometry, suspension, weight or other bike specifics. But no matter what bike they all have the same construction, tread pattern, sidewall stiffness, rubber compound. I had 3 different bikes (2 GSXR750's & a TLR) with 207's and performance was very poor. I trail brake and having the bike stand up in a turn is very bad. My Pilot Sports will shimmie the front end while braking with the bike leaning but it is more controllable. The 207's were durable though, just not enough traction. It all really depends on what you want out of a tire. I would rather have traction and have to replace the tire more often than have a more durable tire that I slide around on. I have Pilot Sports on my TLR now and get about 5-6000 miles but I still have slid on them. Milchelins do not heat up quickly and require higher operating temps, so I have to keep heat in them while in the twisties. Next set will be M-1 Sport-Tecs which should get about 3-4000 miles and heat up much quicker and have a lower operationg temp, about 20-30 degrees less than Michelins. I have heard good things about the new 208 but I am just not a Dunlop fan anymore.

[squidscareme]

i guess we both agree that the term 'great' is subjective. i was a daily rider and put alot of miles on the yzf so i needed something that would last. let me rephrase and say i thought 207's were great  for commuter sportbike tires.

[dgyver]

fair enough  

[squidscareme]

   

[Blueknyt]

seen a few of my friends on different bikes run the 207's and havent seen one of them spill to traction failure or uncontrolable chactoristics. i do understand the 207's are being phazed out and being replaced with 208's agian this is street riding with a few hard curves, not long sessions on the track.  the bikes running 207's were an SV650,2 650hawkGT, and a Superhawk if im not mistaken. i had a mich on back (dont know what type) and a pilot street up front, i would have to say those were the best tires i ran on my GS todate, just expensive for my budget.