Hey guys Have any of you used the Michelin Starcross AC10 on the rear and what do you think about it? Pros/Cons? I found it on discount at motorcycle superstore and sounds good to me, but never used one of them before
Used AC10s for a while on my Husky TXC450, big lug grippy knobby and DOT legal. Was recommended to me by Al R. from Enduro Engineering for the Wickenburg AMA Nat (Dez) Enduro. (I guess Mike Lafferty used them there as well). They work well in that environment for sure, thats my experience with AC10s, in the enduro under dez conditions.
The AC10s were the OEM tire that came installed on my brand new 07 TE450. I didn't like them all that well, especially on hard packed dirt and small loose rocks....or the pavement.
Basically I like them because I am about to require a rear tire change, after more than one year, and almost 3000 miles on them, the OEM Enduro Comp III knobbys are worn out. For me they last forever, but they lack some grip.. The AC10s are the same or similar tire to the Enduro Comp III? What I like about Enduro Comp III is they last too much, they NEVER flat and resist abuse and they resist rocks a lot with no issues. What I dont like is they lack grip, mostly on wet surfaces, paved roads and gravel.. But I dont like to change tires frequently.. so, how better/worse are AC10s compared to the OEM Enduro Comp III?
Answer is no AC10s are not like FIM enduro comp tires at all. Take a look at the Michelin website the pattern, knob height and shape are all different. I never used either for alot of pavement, but from an engineering standpoint the enduro comps are designed to work everywhere in all conditions, this means they are limited to some extent for specific conditions. They are engineered for world enduro comp (wet/dry/sandy/rocky/road sections/eco reg low knobs) AC10s seem to be more like "real" knobbies and maybe Michelin site has the use chart, I would say 90% off 10% on road tires. The knobs are tall on AC10s, probably less grip on pavement.
for tires, what does it mean they are DOT approved? is there any improvement to the grip on pavement from the DOT approval? I am not planning to use it on pavement, mostly trails, but to get to the trails I use the paved roads, so, its important some grip on pavement
I've had the AC10's for about a month. One enduro and several hours trail riding on them already. They have nice big lugs and work very well in mud and soft dirt. We don't have much sand where I ride but I'm sure they would be adequate. No big knobby tire is going to work well on the road. I've found the TE310 to be very vague feeling on pavement with both the enduro comp and the AC10's, especially over 40 - 45 mph. The AC10 is an off road tire that's legal on the road, don't expect to carve paved corners with these. All in all I really like the AC10 and would recommend them for somebody riding off road 90% +
Thats great to know, I think I have found another good option, Kenda K760.. it is DOT approved as well as the AC10. On the T63 I saw it live and I did not like it, it is more a dual purpose for ADV bikes..
Try Dunlop MX71. It's not DOT approved, although it should be since it wears very well on the pavement. It's a full on motocross tire, so it'll make you feel like a hero, but lasts a very long time.
Thanks Tinken, actually I had MX71s as an option, but discarded because of the non DOT, but if you recommend it, I will take another close look at it.
