So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us) (5 Viewers)

[doru]

I don't know about noise on the 2 but Defender is a bit noisier than my previous P tires.

Based on thread design I do expect the 2 to be noisier than both my previous tires and the Defenders I'm running now.

 

[mcgaskins]

I have aired them down to as low as 12 PSI and never had an issue. When aired down they do burp occasionally. I should note I did gash the sidewall on Little John Bull in Big Bear, CA. The tire still held air though the cords were showing.

Obviously these Defenders are not for everyone, those who rock-crawl and hit deep mud bogs often will need an aggressive tire to suit their needs, but I think for the casual Overlander you will be pleasantly surprised by these tires.

I was curious about the durability of the sidewalls, and while you had a failure it sounds like you were able to limp it off the trail. The majority of miles for most overland vehicles is on pavement, and I conjecture there are many built rigs that have never and will never see a trail. This tires seems ideal for piling on miles and for light duty off road. Fortunately I stopped having a daily commute in mid 2019, so the only time the 200 gets driven is on the way to the trail and on the trail with the occasional drive around town just for fun which means a heavier duty tire makes a lot of sense - especially since I hate changing big, heavy tires! I love the Ridge Grappler for my use case, but if I had a daily commute or did lots of highway trips without wheeling I would consider looking into the Defenders as a second set. I'm also interested to see how the new BFG KO3 performs on the road and in noise/snow/treadwear as that could also be a good option in between a street and full off road tire.

 

[chriscosta416]

I was curious about the durability of the sidewalls, and while you had a failure it sounds like you were able to limp it off the trail. The majority of miles for most overland vehicles is on pavement, and I conjecture there are many built rigs that have never and will never see a trail. This tires seems ideal for piling on miles and for light duty off road. Fortunately I stopped having a daily commute in mid 2019, so the only time the 200 gets driven is on the way to the trail and on the trail with the occasional drive around town just for fun which means a heavier duty tire makes a lot of sense - especially since I hate changing big, heavy tires! I love the Ridge Grappler for my use case, but if I had a daily commute or did lots of highway trips without wheeling I would consider looking into the Defenders as a second set. I'm also interested to see how the new BFG KO3 performs on the road and in noise/snow/treadwear as that could also be a good option in between a street and full off road tire.

I think any tire I had on that day would see the same sidewall gash which leads me to think it was a piece of metal,

 

[Wulander]

@chriscosta416 Thanks for the write up. My LX570 has a set of RW waiting for rubber. I was debating between Falken Wildpeak AT3W or the MIchelin Defender LTX. You've helped me decide for daily highway use the Defenders are the way to go. What PSI are you running?

 

[chriscosta416]

@chriscosta416 Thanks for the write up. My LX570 has a set of RW waiting for rubber. I was debating between Falken Wildpeak AT3W or the MIchelin Defender LTX. You've helped me decide for daily highway use the Defenders are the way to go. What PSI are you running?

Great to hear! Just remember they do great in the dirt too!

I’m running 38 PSI but it will depend on what you are carrying. I do the chalk test to determine my PSI

 

[DallasTide]

My truck came with Defenders. They are great tires but I replaced with KO2s once they were worn. I simply cannot be seen at the mall without an aggressive sidewall.

 

[trudd]

Put on a brand new set of LTX XL's on my stock 20" wheels last summer right before 8k miles of roadtripping.

My only regret is not buying 18" rims beforehand, because now the 18"ers I found will collect dust until these tires go bad....which will be a while!

 

[Lou Gill]

Quick question, putting these on my bone stock (over maintained) 2013 LX in 2 weeks, should I go with 285 60 r20 stock size or 285 60 r20 i am staying with my stock rims? This will be my second set, great tires!

 

[lx200inAR]

Quick question, putting these on my bone stock (over maintained) 2013 LX in 2 weeks, should I go with 285 60 r20 stock size or 285 60 r20 i am staying with my stock rims? This will be my second set, great tires!

If you plan to stay bone stock, the 285/50R20 is best option. The 285/60R20 will require some work to fit.

 

[trudd]

Quick question, putting these on my bone stock (over maintained) 2013 LX in 2 weeks, should I go with 285 60 r20 stock size or 285 60 r20 i am staying with my stock rims? This will be my second set, great tires!

If you plan to stay bone stock, the 285/59R20 is best option. The 285/60R20 will require some work to fit.

So close!

 

[lx200inAR]

View attachment 3397653



So close!

That’s what happens when you mud before coffee.

 

[Lou Gill]

That’s what happens when you mud before coffee.

No kidding thank you for the catch and the answer from lx200in AK

 

[32cls6speedmt]

@Lou Gill

I have 13 lx. I also replaced my Tpms since I thought they were ten years old. Discount tires let me bring them in and had no problem programming. Costco would not but discount tire matched Costco price.

Thanks to @mceagle555 post about these TPMs being legit. I replaced all five and replaced five tires.

Denso 550-0103 TPMS 315-MHZ Sensor for Toyota/Lexus with Factory Alloy Wheel Options. (THIS SENSOR MUST BE PROGRAMMED BEFORE USE) https://a.co/d/7YlAZeK

 

[Lou Gill]

My guy is all over it! I adding a front end alignmen…..

 

[lx200inAR]

My guy is all over it! I adding a front end alignmen…..
View attachment 3397729

The TPMS rebuild kit is only new gaskets. If your sensors are original, this is probably a good time to put new ones in as the batteries are probably getting close. The $8.75/corner is about 25-30% of the sensor cost anyways.

 

[Itsky]

I have about 8k miles on my 285/70/17 E Defender LTX. They are so damn good in all regards. Coming off a 100k miles of BFG KO2 load c, I highly recommend consideration.

 

[liv2bike]

Ran the LTX A/T2 on work trucks. But they just weren't durable enough. They got loud rather quickly and they chunked out pretty bad. We were off-pavement a lot and they just weren't durable enough. Switched the work trucks over to KO2s and haven't looked back.

 

[chriscosta416]

Ran the LTX A/T2 on work trucks. But they just weren't durable enough. They got loud rather quickly and they chunked out pretty bad. We were off-pavement a lot and they just weren't durable enough. Switched the work trucks over to KO2s and haven't looked back.

I heard the same about the LTX A/T2 but a lot of fleets run defender LTX M/S

 

[NE Snowman]

100 series owner, but new tires caught my eye. Been running wildpeaks because I tend to find myself in the NE in deep snow(10-24” road/dirt roads) in mid winter. Great snow, loud and lasted 30kish.

Have any of you rode these in deeper snow/ icy wet conditions?

 

[chriscosta416]

100 series owner, but new tires caught my eye. Been running wildpeaks because I tend to find myself in the NE in deep snow(10-24” road/dirt roads) in mid winter. Great snow, loud and lasted 30kish.

Have any of you rode these in deeper snow/ icy wet conditions?

I have done Icy/wet but probably nothing as bad in NE