Really like these tires!

[DonC]

I am the original owner of my 1986 R-65 mono-shock. For the life of the bike I have installed Metzlers and have been happy with them untill the last set of Lasertec's. The front wore down to the wear bar in 2,570 miles and the rear was down to the wear bar at 2,810 miles! I decided to try something new and went with a set of Michelin Pilot Actives sized 90/90-18 front and 120/90-18 rear. I'm running the recommended by Michelin pressures of 32 psi front and 33.5 psi rear which is a little different than the manuals 31 psi front, 36 psi rear.
Well, after 500 miles they seem to be barely wearing but the nice news is the ride is more compliant ( lower pressures?) and the handling is as good or better than the Metzlers. Very predictable turn-in, holds a nice line thru a turn, and track nice and straight over all road surfaces. I thought they were a better tire when I first mounted them but decided to hold off on my assessment until after a few more miles. My original impression stands, they are a great tire for the R-65!

[Will]

I am the original owner of my 1986 R-65 mono-shock. For the life of the bike I have installed Metzlers and have been happy with them untill the last set of Lasertec's. The front wore down to the wear bar in 2,570 miles and the rear was down to the wear bar at 2,810 miles! I decided to try something new and went with a set of Michelin Pilot Actives sized 90/90-18 front and 120/90-18 rear. I'm running the recommended by Michelin pressures of 32 psi front and 33.5 psi rear which is a little different than the manuals 31 psi front, 36 psi rear.
Well, after 500 miles they seem to be barely wearing but the nice news is the ride is more compliant ( lower pressures?) and the handling is as good or better than the Metzlers. Very predictable turn-in, holds a nice line thru a turn, and track nice and straight over all road surfaces. I thought they were a better tire when I first mounted them but decided to hold off on my assessment until after a few more miles. My original impression stands, they are a great tire for the R-65!

I also had Michelin Pilot Activ's fitted last week after seeing them on the Michelin site. The ride is exactly as you say, more comfortable and not inclined to wander about on rough surfaces.
Reading the original riders handbook supplied with the bike it states tyre pressures of 27 front and 26 rear which is not correct for modern tyres.
I've run Michelin Pilot Road series tyres on my F800 since the original Dunlop's wore out too quickly.

[montmil]

...went with a set of Michelin Pilot Actives sized 90/90-18 front and 120/90-18 rear...

My 1981 R65 is in need of new shoes. May give these skins a try in sizes as you selected. Did you mount and balance the tires yourself? Ease of install?

[DonC]

Monte,
Yes, I've been mounting and balancing my own tires for 45 yrs. As far as install I'd say they are a little harder to get the final 10" of bead over the rim as compared to a radial, but still no big deal. I use a No-Scuff tire tool and have no problems.
http://www.no-scufftiretool.com/

[lucky]

I am in the process of switching all my bikes to Michelin Pilot Actives when they are due for new tires.

I found the pilot active is a MUCH better tires than anything that I had. It turns very well, more than enough grip, and I will call it a long lasting tire. I have a set on my R100RT which I usually use for long distance highway travel. It has about 5000 miles into the life and it doesn't show the age at all.

The only down side is it takes lot pressure to pop the bead. You have to clean the rim very well, enough lubrication (paste is better), and enough air pressure to pop it while you are installing it.  

[DonC]

Good to know they last long too, thanks!

[Billmc]

Just changed out my 20 year old Metzelers that came with her when purchased in March and went with the factory original sizes in the Michelin Pilot Activs.  I cannot compare because of the age and hardness of the old ones, but man, I love 'em!  Everything that's been said and more! Good prices on line at Motorcycle Super Store and fast delivery.

[Justin B.]

DonC - I've got one of the No-Mar tire tools (and a HF tire changer stand) and it takes about 80% of the work out of mounting a tire.  But, like you said, the last few inches takes some grunt...

[Bob_Roller]

I've been using Metzler ME33/ME99, now the Lazertec series tires since around 1986 on my '81 R65 and now the '82 LS .

Only one front tire gave me issues with cupping, my tire pressure gauge was woefully inaccurate, indicating 10 psi high, so not a fault of the tire .

I've gotten a consistent 11-13,000 miles on the front and 9-11,000 miles on a rear for the last 30 years .

Only negative I've experienced, is in colder temps, don't ask too much from the tires until they are warmed up, usually at least 11 miles or so in temps under 50 F.

I run higher tire pressures, I don't know if that makes a difference or  not, usually around 40 psi front and rear, I service them to 40 psi and then let go down to around 35 psi before I inflate them again  .

In the high temps here in the low deserts of south central Aridzona, a 3-5 psi pressure loss per week is common in the ' hot season ', late April to early November .

[Kookaburra]

In the high temps here in the low deserts of south central Aridzona, a 3-5 psi pressure loss per week is common in the ' hot season ', late April to early November .

I was so pleased relieved to read this. Here in warm OZ I  have been experiencing serious pressure loss in tyres and worrying about whether it is poor tubes, faulty valves or some other unknown gremlin. Will now relax and just obsessively check and pump to 40 psi.

[Bob_Roller]

The first summer I was here in Phoenix, I got concerned about pressure loss, I had the bike for 12 years before moving from Chicago to Phoenix and in the cooler climate of Chicago I serviced the tires maybe once every 6-8 weeks in the warm weather there .

[D Mann]

I tried to put Pilot Actives on without a machine but could not, had to take them to a shop. They were too stiff for me to mount. I really like the tires, good ride, traction,wear. Will use again if they are still being made when I need them.