Michelin PR2 questions

My PR2's just arrived. These are my first michelin bike tires.

I still have all my tools for changing tires, from back in the day.

My new to me 2007 VFR will come home later this week. Gonna be pulling wheels and changing tires this weekend.

Questions:
Does anyone know if these tires have a date code? If so, how to read it?

There's no paint dot on Michelins? All my Bridgestones used to have a yellow paint dot at the lightest spot, to line up with the valve stem.

There is a stiff barcode sticker on the bead of each tire, almost flush, apparently heat-mounted. Do you guys peel this off or leave it?

One tire says Front-> and the other says Rear->. Does this tell you which tire goes on the front and rear of the bike? (yah - jk)

Anybody got a link to a downloadable SM?

Thx!

 

Good to hear your VFR will be arriving shortly - when it does - we expect you to post up some photos!

Over in Europe Michelin motorbike tyres(tires) do not carry any light side marking - the argument being they are so well made there is no discernible heavy/light spot. I know my local dealer always aligns the Barcode label with the valve stem but I guess that is just habit.

Most motorcycle tyres are directional and must be fitted correctly so the marking (usually an arrow) will rotate in the correct direction once mounted on the bike.

As for decoding all the information stamped on the side of a motorbike tire the following links will hopefully answer your questions:-

This link by Pirelli explains what you would find on a European motorbike tyre including date codes and some of the information required in the USA -

http://www.pirelli.co.uk/en_GB/browser/attachments/pdf/MotorcycleTyresandYourSafety.pdf

However the AMA website has a pretty good write up here which should allow you to decode the sort of date code data you will find on a US spec tire -

Tire designations

Hope that helps

 

Careful when mounting the front tire... The PR2 front tirelooks backwards when mounted correctly

 

Thanks for the replies.

Just in case: I was joking about the front and rear thing...
I just realized that this board has a significant international contingent, and my lame jokes can sometimes get lost on those who speak english as a 2nd or 3rd language.

Yes - I did notice that the tread patterns seem to "oppose" each other when tires are properly oriented, but thanks for pointing that out.

Anyone with a link to a downloadable service manual?

Thanks!

 

While doing the tire change, spend the couple dollars and put in 90 degree valve stems. Save you knuckles checking and adding air. I really like the PR2s/ I am on my third set now. Due to high mileage I should add!

 

If you want lame jokes, go read the Humor thread and anything posted by Randy. He's Canadian, so his English isn't very good either.

 

I really think those that think lightly of the seriousness of my post, should go outside and try to impregnate an old rotten oak tree somewhere.

 

Lame jokes!...A couple hours ago I pissed a kidney stone and I can assure you that was not a lame joke. Ooops, you said post by Randy not pissed by Randy.