- Jan 8, 2000
- 3,331
- 1
A few weeks back I asked for tire recommendations. The Michelin 12 series tires seemed to get some good feedback so I thought I’d give ‘em a try.
As a quick recap, I have always run Dunlop 739’s on my KDX. They seemed to work and wear well. I noticed that not too many other riders shared my like for this particular tire so I thought I’d venture out and look for a new tire. All of my friends run different tires so I was able to ask questions about many of the other tires out there.
I learned that everyone loves the tires they run so their feedback was useless. So I observed how I thought their bikes were hooking up and how much roost they throw. I also rode their bikes, trying to concentrate on how the tires felt but that was of little value (in making an opinion about the tires at least). None of this was any help.
So in the end I went with the recommendation of my local shop. They suggested an M12 Intermediate tire in the rear (130/80-18) and an S12 in the front.
I rode these tires at a VERY muddy MX track this weekend. Keep in mind that the tires, and the rider, were out of their element at this track. I usually ride trails and rough terrain; that is why I chose an intermediate tire. The track I rode on really called for an S12 rear so I thought that this was a good test at how versatile the M12 is.
The M12 performed perfectly at the track. I was never in need for traction. Regardless of how much mud I was going through the M12 just hooked up and went. I could rail all of the corners with full throttle. In fact, the true test for these tires was that after the first laps around the track everyone I was riding with was complaining about the traction of the track and the loose muddy conditions. Up until that point I hadn’t even considered that traction was a problem. Braking was also very good and I never found myself out of control. Brake-sliding was somewhat of a problem because the rear just wouldn’t break loose. The only solution was a big bonus; I had to carry more speed into the turn a brake later to get the rear to slide.
In all I found the M12/S12 combo a better tire than I had expected. There weren’t any fitment problems. The M12 is a directional tire so they can’t be turned. I seldom turn my tires so this isn’t much of an issue to me.
Oh, they look really cool too.
As a quick recap, I have always run Dunlop 739’s on my KDX. They seemed to work and wear well. I noticed that not too many other riders shared my like for this particular tire so I thought I’d venture out and look for a new tire. All of my friends run different tires so I was able to ask questions about many of the other tires out there.
I learned that everyone loves the tires they run so their feedback was useless. So I observed how I thought their bikes were hooking up and how much roost they throw. I also rode their bikes, trying to concentrate on how the tires felt but that was of little value (in making an opinion about the tires at least). None of this was any help.
So in the end I went with the recommendation of my local shop. They suggested an M12 Intermediate tire in the rear (130/80-18) and an S12 in the front.
I rode these tires at a VERY muddy MX track this weekend. Keep in mind that the tires, and the rider, were out of their element at this track. I usually ride trails and rough terrain; that is why I chose an intermediate tire. The track I rode on really called for an S12 rear so I thought that this was a good test at how versatile the M12 is.
The M12 performed perfectly at the track. I was never in need for traction. Regardless of how much mud I was going through the M12 just hooked up and went. I could rail all of the corners with full throttle. In fact, the true test for these tires was that after the first laps around the track everyone I was riding with was complaining about the traction of the track and the loose muddy conditions. Up until that point I hadn’t even considered that traction was a problem. Braking was also very good and I never found myself out of control. Brake-sliding was somewhat of a problem because the rear just wouldn’t break loose. The only solution was a big bonus; I had to carry more speed into the turn a brake later to get the rear to slide.
In all I found the M12/S12 combo a better tire than I had expected. There weren’t any fitment problems. The M12 is a directional tire so they can’t be turned. I seldom turn my tires so this isn’t much of an issue to me.
Oh, they look really cool too.
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