Michelin Enduro Medium 2 and original Enduro Medium rear

Description

July 2025:  This in from Michelin UK

‘Some enduro riders have expressed a strong attachment to the MICHELIN ENDURO MEDIUM range and are very satisfied with the feel of their motorcycle when equipped with these tyres. Since MICHELIN is committed to meeting the needs of its tyre users, the company has decided to reintroduce the two rear sizes, 120/90-18 and 140/80-18, from the previous ENDURO MEDIUM range. This will complement the brand’s existing ENDURO lineup.

Enduro riders will have the option to equip their motorcycles with rear tyres from either the MICHELIN ENDURO MEDIUM or the MICHELIN ENDURO MEDIUM 2 range.

MICHELIN’s ENDURO tyres are mixable. It is entirely possible to equip a motorcycle with an ENDURO MEDIUM tyre at the rear and an ENDURO MEDIUM 2 at the front.

The ENDURO MEDIUM 2 front tyre has been designed and developed to be compatible with all MICHELIN ENDURO ranges. As an example Billy Bolt, the FIM SuperEnduro World Champion, rides with an ENDURO MEDIUM 2 tire at the front and an ENDURO XTREM at the rear’.

Jan 2025:

I have been asked many times if the new Michelin Enduro 2 can be reversed. The simple answer is YES.

Below is a copy of an email I have received from one of Michelins Technical Managers regarding this subject, which I hope clarifies this in more detail.

The Michelin Enduro Medium 2, like the Enduro Medium and earlier enduro tyres, has a direction of rotation arrow which should be respected when the tyre is new as the tyre performs best in this direction, when it has its full tread depth. It’s normal for off road tyres to wear in use in terms of block height like all tyres, but also to show some rounding off of the front edge of rear tyre tread blocks and rear edge of front tyre tread blocks. This is due to slippage when accelerating or braking which is most pronounced on the rear and front tyres respectively. This rounding of the tread blocks makes the penetration and cutting in action of the tread blocks less effective, particularly in soft grounds and so grip levels will naturally reduce over time.  The new tread pattern design on the Michelin Enduro Medium 2 delivers a strong improvement in grip potential, and this is also the case as the tyres wear, being around 22% better than the previous generation when new and 12% better when worn. Once grip levels have naturally reduced due to wear, the tyres can be reversed which offers up less worn leading edges which can show an improvement in grip and thus extend the useful life of the tyre even further.

Direction of rotation arrows on the tyre are required to show the preferred new tyre fitment direction, but we are not able to add worn tyre directional arrows, in part because the reduction of grip differs according to the terrain and riding style and skill. There is no specific and measurable wear limit when turning the tyre is recommended and riders must decide for themselves if reversing the tyre is preferrable and beneficial for their use. It should be noted that if the tyres are being used on road that a tyre fitted against the sidewall marking advice on direction of rotation is classed as a major defect that must be corrected for MOT testing purposes, but it does not prejudice the safety of the motorcycle, have an impact on the environment or put other road users at risk.

Oct 2024: We have just taken delivery of the first batch into the UK, if you want to give them a try grab a pair quickly as they won’t last long on our shelves.

Improved grip that lasts longer⁽¹⁾ Better grip and traction when new (+22%) and even when worn (+12%) thanks to an innovative tread pattern: V-shape blocks, more contact patch with the ground, and a new generation of carbon black.

(1) MICHELIN Enduro Medium ² compared to MICHELIN Enduro Medium in an internal study carried out in December 2023 & May 2024 at Saint Agoulin and Fourques (France) with a KTM 450 EXC-F & YAMAHA 450 YZF.

Enhanced handling and riding pleasure, a new casing makes the ride more precise while providing a smoother feeling on hard terrain.

Designed to offer impressive performance across various terrains (soft to hard) and conditions (mud to dry), thanks to Michelin Adaptive Design with specific positioning and shape of tread blocks on central, intermediate, and lateral zones.

Billy Bolt, the FIM SuperEnduro World Champion, rides with an ENDURO MEDIUM 2 tire at the front and an ENDURO XTREM at the rear.