Michelin Hydroedge a smal review

[cjmitch]

Well after examining my rear tires I saw that I needed new rear wheels.

while the Goodrich radial Ta's found on the stock Motortrike kit are good....

well I just wanted something better.



So off to the message boards I go.

The overiding opinion is that I should look at the Hyrdroedge...



This is my 2 week experience with these new wheels.



The Hydroedge tires are Michelins top-o-the line passenger tires...

as quoted from the Michelin web site..

"Our Longest Lasting Passenger Tire.

MICHELIN® HydroEdge® tires offer an outstanding 90,000-mile warranty

2) fuel-efficiency,

3) modern aesthetics and

4) better wet braking than a leading competitor.





After doing considerable shopping around, I found them locally for $270.00 installed and out the door.

I came in with the size I wanted in mind as you KNOW there is no cross-reference for a Motor-trike (or any other type of trike kit in the books)



The stock size on a Goodrich T/A is a 235/60-R15, which IS a pretty wide and somewhat low tire. The advised size of the michelin Hydoredge is reccommended to be 215/66/r15. This provided a NARROWER (about an inch) tire but it also adds a larger sidewall for a (confirmed) smoother ride.

Another added bonus is tha this tire is narrower.

This is especially of interest to motortrike owners, if the intend to change to an aftermarket wheel.

Note that the overall radius/s diameter of the tire is the same to there should be no concern regarding speedometer issues.



I had the tires mounted and balanced, took them home and installed them on a 2005 Motortrike Spyder 2+2 trike conversion. I knew it was going to be different. (good or bad).When I pulled out of the driveway, and chirped the tires, To say the ride was incredible is like saying that the Goldwing is just a good bike.



The ride was insantly perceived to be 100% smoother, and bumps that I used to cringe over (on my street) were rendered almost irrelevant.

Where once I could judge my speed by the sounds of the tires...

Well lets just say that is a skill I'm going to have to relearn.



Dry road cornering was markedly improved, and the bike did not seem at "tail heavy" as it did with the T/A's. this is an interesting observation, and we all kow that narrow tires do not provide a larger footprint for conering.



It has not rained, so I will report later on the hydroplaining resistance of these tires.. but one can only assume that it should be accceptable, as they tire has more than fullfilled its obligations in the terms of speed, and handling. I can only say that I assume that wet weather handing will be excellent, due to the narrower tire tread, and the extremly agressive directional tire treads



In short, one cannot expect to wrong with this tire.

[John Luciano]

Well now I have a different size tire How do I convert to a larger side wall . where do you get new # to retain the same OD ... not sure I think mine are 205X 55 X16 ( yes I just checked ) I would like to go to the 60 series tire .. I guess it would be like a 175X 60 X15 that would be too narrow . I have plenty of tire room . any suggestions

[Bikerbozo]

While awaiting delivery of my new trike, a couple of questions pop up.
How do trikes in general handle in rain and snow. I am used to riding 2-wheels in rain and used to ride in snow. The H-D Tri-Glide is what will hopefully be showing up by the weekend. I will have 1 week to practice with it before riding to Virginia and will pack my rain gear. I think I will be safe from snow seeing as it is summer now. Of course, with "Global Weirding", who knows.

[John Luciano]

You get WET like in a convertible with the top down . <LOL> I am sure you could get in trouble in the deep water but I never get pucker bottom like I did with the 2 wheels.. it is very stable and you don't feel like u have to stop , unless you really get too wet. Get good ( great rain gear) and waterproof boots and you can ride until you can't see the road. I sort of like it but I am weird ..<LOL>

[cjmitch]

Well now I have a different size tire How do I convert to a larger side wall . where do you get new # to retain the same OD ... not sure I think mine are 205X 55 X16 ( yes I just checked ) I would like to go to the 60 series tire .. I guess it would be like a 175X 60 X15 that would be too narrow . I have plenty of tire room . any suggestions

my guess would be a 195/60-R16

[ROAD DOG]

I put the Michelin hydroedje on my 98 Road Glide champoin trike it had 215/60R16 I went with 205/65R16 Then I put a Michelin commader rear tire on the front, I was running 40psi in the front & 22 in the rears with the old tires when i put the new ones on it road & handled like crap,I lowered the air pressure to 32 front & 17 rear what a difference,I was in a little rain last week but not enough to see how it will be, I have about 1000 miles on them & front tire still has the nibs on it. If you want to match up tire sizes To see what will have the same diameter & rpms go to TIRERACK.COM you can look up all tire sizes & brands To see what match up to your current size.

[skuuter]

THANKS...Great INFO Folks....:wtg:

[Boscoporp]

I would be interested in hearing how they handle in water. I have heard that the hydroedge is a real good rain tire. I'm real curious about the narrower look. How about a picture from the rear?