Anyone here using them? I did a search and read the archives, but just wanted some first-hand experience with them. Smallest size avail is 9.00x16, which is 36". That alone may keep me from them. However, I REALLY like the tall-n-skinny look, but I have never really heard any feedback. Go ahead, flame away.:flipoff2:

you can get the XL in a 7.50x16 which is about a 32". the XZL you can get in 8.25x16 which is about a 33-34". nice tires, but super stiff and can be expensive. they wont hold on the rocks like swampers.

Hmmm. I've been told that the XL's only came in 9.00's and up. I know the older XCL was avail in smaller sizes. Any idea where I can confirm that XL's are avail in 7.50's?

Not to flame, but what's the facination in the LR community about Mich's? I know SG Greg is way into them...And a few others. What's the big deal?

Originally posted by RockRover
Not to flame, but what's the facination in the LR community about Mich's? I know SG Greg is way into them...And a few others. What's the big deal?

i dunno, i have often wondered the same thing. i think that SG is a big influence, but also the land rover "heritage" of tall and skinny tires plays a role. finally i think that since skinny tires are big in the UK that factors in as well.

i personally dont really get it though???

Especially considering the price of the damn things...

I suppose if your a true purist, then the idea of having a "correct" LR would be the primary driver.

There is a guy that comes into our (Bill's) shop and he has the supper skinny pizza cutter bias ply's on his 90 (didn't look closely but my guess is 6.5 x 30...And DAMN those things are HEAVY on a steel rim!)...He's got all the 'correct' spec stuff like the bonnet spare, various UK spec adders (tail lights, interior pieces etc.). The guy looks at my rig, nods, and then say's "looks like you'll have a lot of fun in that thing". :confused:

To each his/her own I suppose.

I don't understand the Michelin Fascination. I know the Unimog community (the other big users of XL's) has basically seen the light and has moved on to better (in my mind) tires from Continental , Interco and others.


I do however agree with the tall-n-skinny idea.

For trails in the northeast tall and skinny is the way to go. But I would definately take a Q78 over a Michelin any day.

Originally posted by RockRover
Not to flame, but what's the facination in the LR community about Mich's? I know SG Greg is way into them...And a few others. What's the big deal?

C'mon man, haven't you ever seen a Camel Trophy video?!!:D :D
Seriously though, they seem to be cool tires but for the price, availability, weight, and other(IMHO better)tire choices they are not worth it.

Johnathan

I would like to see these on a Rover!!
(big pics)
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Tire%20Pictorial%20low.JPG
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Tire%20pictorial.JPG
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Tire%20tread.JPG
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Side%20tread%20view.JPG

I don't know where people are coming from saying that these are bad tires, or that they won't grip??

I have heard from people in the local Army bases that say that they ride super nice for such a big tire, and these are 53" tires. If Interco made a 53" tire, the only way to keep it on the ground at road speed would be to run 10K# axles to resist the bouncing from seriously out of round tires.

The rubber compound is not as hard on these as paople say that they are. I would say that they compare very closely to the rubber of a TSL through the thumbnail test.

I would say that Michelin makes a MUCH better quality tire than Interco(or Denman).

Sean

Originally posted by Station
I would like to see these on a Rover!!
(big pics)
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Tire%20Pictorial%20low.JPG
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Tire%20pictorial.JPG
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Tire%20tread.JPG
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Side%20tread%20view.JPG

I don't know where people are coming from saying that these are bad tires, or that they won't grip??

I have heard from people in the local Army bases that say that they ride super nice for such a big tire, and these are 53" tires. If Interco made a 53" tire, the only way to keep it on the ground at road speed would be to run 10K# axles to resist the bouncing from seriously out of round tires.

The rubber compound is not as hard on these as paople say that they are. I would say that they compare very closely to the rubber of a TSL through the thumbnail test.

I would say that Michelin makes a MUCH better quality tire than Interco(or Denman).

Sean

uh yeah of course a super stiff 53" tall tire is going to ride great coming from an army guy... he has only experienced them on trucks that weigh enough to get them to flex! i will agree that they make a better quality tire than interco (they have to for the military) but just because something is better quality doesnt mean that its better for our application!

i will still stand by my opinion that they are not flexy enough, and that they are too narrow for rock crawling. plus they cost a few wallet-loads each!

now with that said, around here i would probably run a set of the skinnies if they cost the same as or even a little more than an equivalent sized interco. this is because up here in the northeast, a flexy tire isnt as important as one that will bite hard and withstand all of the pointy rocks and tree roots. plus UnissaMog is right, up here skinnies do bite better (thats why Q78s are going on the Range Rover).

The big issue with the XL's is there is a TON of rubber there, making them quite stiff.......

The tread is re-groovable, and you can even groove the sidewalls....
http://www.usa6x6.com/images/21b.jpg

and you almost have to to get them to flex. I have ridden in Unimogs (~6000lbs) with XL's, and to get them to flex offroad you have to run about 4-8 psi in them.

There is lots of rubber on the tread to play with though....

http://www.usa6x6.com/images/20b.jpg

Okay Station...I suppose those are goin' on your buggy right? Dewd...I kneel befor you Sire!

Everybody calm down until this 53" tire craze dies out...

Looks like nice dig's too man (if that's your house).

--D

Yep those tires are going on the buggy. I think they should do well seeing as total vehicle height is only going to be 7' and be 84" wide(outside tire to outside tire).

9V They don't cost so much when you get them from the right places. I got mine for $150 a peice , and they are brand new!
I forgot a pic to show just how new that they are.

http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/station/Michelin%20man.JPG

That is right on the center tread block. I guess that they would wear off in less than 50 miles on the center treads.

Yeah, the place is alright. Not nearly as nice as the 160 acres of awesome wheeling on in Tennessee though.

The shop is going to be REALLY NICE though.

Sean

i know you can get the big ones for $150ea through Daniel, but i have no use for the biggies. something in a 36 or 38 i could use, but no-one has them in that size for a good price.

the 325/85R16 XML would be awesome.

I didn't get mine from Daniel though. These are newer, they have never been used like the ones Daniel has. There are houndreds more of them too if anyone is interested.

The guy that I got them from is looking at getting more sizes and models of tires. You should call him to see if he thinks he can get tires for you. It would be very worth your time of you could get such a great deal as I did.

If interested PM for his contact info.

Sean

Originally posted by Station
I didn't get mine from Daniel though. These are newer, they have never been used like the ones Daniel has. There are houndreds more of them too if anyone is interested.

The guy that I got them from is looking at getting more sizes and models of tires. You should call him to see if he thinks he can get tires for you. It would be very worth your time of you could get such a great deal as I did.

If interested PM for his contact info.

Sean

your box is full.

Man that was quick! I got the e-mail, then checked to board to tell you I was fixing it, but you had already posted. All in the matter of a few minutes.

Problem fixed.

Sean

box is full again! heheh

Vince has 7 16x9.00 XLs for cheap ~60% tread $340 is what he was looking for. I was going to buy them but ran out of room on the trailer :)

www.real4x4.com

Ron

Originally posted by 9V
box is full again! heheh

Man, Time for me to start saving some messages to my HD to save some mailbox space. I have allready cleared everything that I am willing to clear.

Send the message whenever you get a chance 9V I should have plenty of room in a few minutes.

Sorry about that.
Sean

[edit] Good to go now.

sean, look in your sent messages folder, there will be like a million in there taking up space :D

ps- PM sent

Yes, I knew that, but I save all of those too, for business purposes. I have everything that I wanted saved on my HD now, so I should have about another month before time to start cleaning again.

Thanks,
Sean

Originally posted by Greg Davis
Hmmm. I've been told that the XL's only came in 9.00's and up. I know the older XCL was avail in smaller sizes. Any idea where I can confirm that XL's are avail in 7.50's?


the XCL's are available in 7.50x16 size, it's what LR used to fit as standard at the factory. all the pre-wolf XD rovers had them, but the UK military have changed over to XZL's (as have LR when they fit them from new). form the experience i've had driving with them, the XZL's have much better side-slope grip, and a slightly more aggressive shoulder to help with rut-climbing (the XCL was never too hot in this situation).
you could even get XCL's in a 6.50x16 size, not sure if you can now, but my tyre supplier tried selling me a set cheap, but they're too small for me!

i've got a set of 7.50x16 XCL's mounted on rims at home, i swap them about when i don't want to run on the simex's i've got, so if anyone wants some pics then shout.

as for handling, i really like the XCL/XZLs on tarmac. being radial, they're smooth, a bit skittish in the wet, but hey, they're an off road tyre right?

Jamie

Well, thanks for all of the responses. My reasons for looking at the XL's are:

Width-I need a good mud tire but don't want a real wide tire. I don't have the power to spin up a wide aggressive tire.

Durability-From everything I have read, these tires are almost bullet-proof. 4 steel belts in the tread and a steel belt in the sidewall.

Price-I've found some 9.00 x 16's that are new for $165 each. Haven't found any comparable 35" radials for that price.
If you know of a place that has them cheaper, please let me know.

Finally, I just like the look of the Michelins.:D

I'm not going to be doing any West-coast style rock climbing. I need a good mud tire that will supplement my A/T's that I run on a daily basis. I haven't made my mind up yet, but I just wanted some feedback about real-world experience with them. Still trying to decide if I want to try and make 36's fit on Winston.:confused:

Greg just out curiosity where did you find them for that price Thanks

ben

try:
Bill's Tires in Pacheco, Calif., 925-689-2678

Bill (see above post) is who I've been talking with. Damn, cat's outta the bag now!:rolleyes: