Michelin Defenders LTX M/S2 Ride Quality?

[Radiganp]

I love mine. I replaced the factory General 275/50r22’s with Ltx m/s2s in 305/45r22’s. I find them no worse than the factory tires myself. They are a little harsh but that’s to be expected on a lower profile tire. Or sure my experience is helpful here but I do love the tires!

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[Pcabe5]

Is the load rating different than stock? XL sounds like a higher load rating and stiffer sidewall.

 

[dheller1]

Is the load rating different than stock? XL sounds like a higher load rating and stiffer sidewall

Yes it is higher, discount tire and Michelin said it should not make a difference in ride.. In the factory 275/60/20 tire size that is the only option.

That’s is why I asked if anybody is running the same tire and what do they feel.

I questioned that before I bought them and still question it now.

 

[nvabill]

I just put Michelin Defenders LTX M/S2 on my 23 Powerboost and the impact harshness is worse then expected.

Size is 275/60/20 116H XL

I was running on the HankooK Dynopro AT2, these tires were quiet and absorbed small and large impacts well. Yes they sucked in the snow, rain, and wore like crap.

The suspension flutter over small road imperfections and harsh impact is very annoying.

I live in Michigan and all the roads are trashed, I get the heck beat out of me with these tires.

Am I the only one that thinks these tires are overrated and are very rough riding?

These get great reviews but I am not impressed. Any suggestions on a better riding tire for Michigan roads?

This is exactly why Discount Tire recommended I buy the Bridgestone Dueler LX in lieu of the Michelins which I did and I could not be happier with the ride. They explained to me that the Michelins used to be better but when they changed compounds on the Defender 2's and made it harder for the weight of the EV trucks they no longer were.

 

[dheller1]

This is exactly why Discount Tire recommended I buy the Bridgestone Dueler LX in lieu of the Michelins which I did and I could not be happier with the ride. They explained to me that the Michelins used to be better but when they changed compounds on the Defender 2's and made it harder for the weight of the EV trucks they no longer were.

Well I was thinking same thing and read the same thing, after reading many positives reviews I was like what the hell it is the right way to go. Well i don’t like the impact harshness etc, it feels like i am driving on an over inflated tire. I will look into the Bridgestone, Discount will swap them out. I spent months researching this and am so pissed off. Yes some people love them. I feel I went from a luxury SUV ride to a truck ride.

 

[nvabill]

Well I was thinking same thing and read the same thing, after reading many positives reviews I was like what the hell it is the right way to go. Well i don’t like the impact harshness etc, it feels like i am driving on an over inflated tire. I will look into the Bridgestone, Discount will swap them out. I spent months researching this and am so pissed off. Yes some people love them. I feel I went from a luxury SUV ride to a truck ride.

And interestingly my brother has a '22 PB with the 6 & 1/2 foot bed, he put a set of the Michelins on and he loves them.

 

[honda250xtitan]

I have worked in NVH for the last 22 years at Ford s

thats pretty awesome.

 

[SmokedHybridFX4]

I switched from K02s to the Defender LTX M/S2s this year in stock size (275/60/20), and couldn't be happier, especially compared to the 18" Goodyears that came on the truck. My truck is also a 6 1/2 foot bed. Tire pressures make a huge difference (I run mine at 38 psi unloaded, 44 psi towing).

You don't mention, do you have any other mods on the truck? Tonneau cover, cap (topper), tool boxes, anything? I know there is a harshness difference in mine even with a slight load in it (Truxedo Pro X15 tonneau installed or not). It seems to smooth it out.

 

[labjr1]

I just installed the Michelin LTX AT2 275/60R20 BSW on my 2023 Powerboost Platinum CC last week and absolutely love them. The ride is unchanged. Full discloser I changed out wheels at the same time because I did not like the stock ford wheels that came with the blackout package. My problem is the wheels have a 0 offset and I am experiencing a slight rubbing in reverse at full lock. I like them so well I am adding a 2" leveling kit next week instead of changing them out.

 

[SilverSpur]

Good to see all this about the Michelin's. I have been looking at a set of LTX M/S2-275/65R18 116T. Now makes wonder about the ride quality. The other set I'm looking at are the Goodyear Fortitude HT 275/65R18 116T. I like having more sidewall with 18's. Adds some additional flex for cush.

 

[vinnie45acp]

I just put Michelin Defenders LTX M/S2 on my 23 Powerboost and the impact harshness is worse then expected.

Size is 275/60/20 116H XL

I was running on the HankooK Dynopro AT2, these tires were quiet and absorbed small and large impacts well. Yes they sucked in the snow, rain, and wore like crap.

The suspension flutter over small road imperfections and harsh impact is very annoying.

I live in Michigan and all the roads are trashed, I get the heck beat out of me with these tires.

Am I the only one that thinks these tires are overrated and are very rough riding?

These get great reviews but I am not impressed. Any suggestions on a better riding tire for Michigan roads?

I understand the Michigan Roads, I am originally from there, the Roads are horrid. But I think you need to take your truck back to whomever put them on and have them rebalanced all four wheels, and have it done by one of their seasoned techs. because I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about the LTX M/S2, I put mine on over 6 months ago and my truck rides as close to my Lexus now, (I also put a full Eibach suspension on it ), however the ride is so quiet and smooth and comfy, compared to the Hankook's, I couldn't wait to get those off my truck. Seriously whenever you do something and it doesn't feel right, something has to be wrong, and I have heard so many times installers get it wrong, put the wrong weights on or put them on in the wrong spot. it can cause your truck to ride like crap and it isn't anyone's fault but the installer's. not the equipment. Also, should make sure all the tires are fomr the same batch if possible and dates are all close from when they were manufactured, that can also sometimes make a difference but usually not with Michelin's.

 

[Superstock 3740]

Op, I made that exact tire change 2 months ago. Had my dealer Road Force Balance them. Make sure you pay the little extra to have only this balancer! I had a slight vibration with the Hankooks. From 76-85 MPH. Even with my dealer re-balancing with the road force, it still had a little vibration. i found myself running 75 all the time.... With these Michelins... dead quiet and ultra smooth. Vibration is completely gone. The stiffness you speak of.? I just don't have that issue. I think the rides are so similar you would have a bad time telling the difference.

 

[TopOMichXL]

because I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about the LTX M/S2,

This! I’ve long been a fan of Michelin tires, and used my LTX AT 2’s for half the year for seven years.
I decided on new tires when my 2024 RCSB was being built/shipped, and I did what I often do when considering anything for my truck, I hit the forums.

I found a thread, where someone was looking for a tire with my needs, mostly highway, good in the rain and possibly winter, quiet and a smooth ride. I was amazed how many recommended the MS 2’s, I bet 80 percent of the replies. I can remember when everyone wanted the TKO’s, for looks I always presumed, but I think they wore out their welcome.

I imagine ride can be considered subjective, but I really like these tires.

I didn’t get road force balancing, pretty sure about that, but the installer is a friend and very meticulous about everything he does, so I am happy with the mounting/balancing.

I hope you get what you’re looking forward to, with your truck.

 

[Chili]

In was concerned about these for this very reason. They designed them for heavy EVs. You have a Powerboost though and they're heavy for an f150.

Discount will return them if you don't like them. Keep us updated.

I have worked in NVH for the last 22 years at Ford so I know what I feel in my butt. I am probably more critical about these things than most people.

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

Great comments here - I really dislike the Hankook stock tires, they are quiet and a relatively smooth ride, but are so thin that I have had two blow outs due to road debris. I had the Bridgestones on my last F150 (2021) and they were really nice - smooth ride, good fuel economy, etc. Then I switched to Toyo ATIII which I really like, BUT they get noisy as they age and my mileage dropped by 2+ mpg. I am going back to Michelin on my next set (unless the Bridgestone are cheaper) - I want to try the AT2 tires, two of my neighbors swear by them - nice ride, decent off road, quiet and mileage like the stock tires. Personally, I am done with the expensive off road tires - hard to keep them balanced, they are noisy and lower the MPG by quite a bit.

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