Pirelli, the renowned Italian tire company, has created a tire inspired by the legendary Route 66. The MT-66 Route is designed for metric cruisers and offers riders quality that performs well in various weather conditions.
In this pirelli mt66 route review, we’ll look into the features and performance of this tire, as well as share a user review on the Pirelli MT-66 Route.
But the main question I will answer in this review is: Are these the best cruiser tires for you? Let’s find out!
Pirelli MT-66 Route
Features
- Designed for wet grip
- Ability to absorb road irregularities
- Exceptional handling, riding comfort, and durability
Our Final Verdict
The 4-ply nylon construction delivers exceptional durability, while the lightweight design enhances rider comfort and stability by allowing the suspension to better absorb road irregularities.
These tires are designed for wet grip and exceptional handling, which I can attest to after riding through a freak rainstorm – they maintained excellent traction and inspired confidence.
On dry roads, the MT66s provide a comfortable and composed ride, with low noise production and impressive cornering abilities for a cruiser tire.
The classic styling blends nicely with the modern performance characteristics, making them a great all-around choice for cruiser and touring bikes.
One potential drawback to consider is that while the MT66s excel in wet conditions and offer impressive longevity, they may not be the absolute grippiest option for aggressive cornering on dry roads. For riders who prioritize maximum dry grip over other factors, a more track-focused tire might be a better fit.
It’s worth noting that prices can fluctuate, so be sure to check RevZilla.com for the latest deals and special offers on the Pirelli MT66 Route 66 tires before purchasing elsewhere. RevZilla also offers a price match guarantee, ensuring you get the best value.
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Comparison to Similar Products
| Model | Dunlop K591 | Dunlop Cruisemax White Wall | Bridgestone Battlax BT46 | Michelin Scorcher ll | Shinko SE890 Journey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Bias-ply construction, long-lasting compound, enhanced cornering stability | White wall styling, bias-ply construction, long tread life | Bias-ply construction, long-lasting compound, increased wet performance | Radial construction, silica-reinforced compound, excellent wet grip | Bias-ply construction, long tread life, good wet grip |
| Price | $120 – $200 | $100 – $180 | $150 – $250 | $180 – $300 | $80 – $150 |
The Dunlop K591 and Cruisemax are bias-ply cruiser tires designed for long tread life and stability, with the Cruisemax offering a classic white wall styling.
The Bridgestone Battlax BT46 is another bias-ply tire with a focus on wet performance and durability. The radial tire construction method, which they introduced in 1946 after acquiring Citroën in 1934. This innovation revolutionized tire technology due to its superior handling and fuel efficiency compared to traditional bias-ply tires.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->Apart from tires, Michelin is famous for its Michelin Guide, a prestigious series of guidebooks that have been published since 1900. The Michelin Guide is highly regarded in the culinary world for awarding up to three Michelin stars to exceptional restaurants. <br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->These stars are a symbol of culinary excellence and are coveted by chefs and restaurants worldwide. The guide also includes Red and Green travel guides, roadmaps, and features the iconic Michelin Man, Bibendum.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->The Michelin Guide's influence extends beyond the automotive industry into gastronomy, where its star ratings can make or break a restaurant's reputation. Despite being a tire company, Michelin's expertise in quality assessment has earned them respect in the culinary realm. The Michelin stars are a mark of distinction that can significantly impact a restaurant's success and prestige.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->In conclusion, Michelin is not only a leading tire manufacturer but also a key player in the culinary world through its highly esteemed Michelin Guide. The company's legacy of innovation in tire technology and its role in recognizing culinary excellence with Michelin stars have solidified its reputation as a multifaceted and influential entity in both the automotive and gastronomic industries.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->Citations:<br>[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin<br><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:shortcode -->[glossary_wikipedia]<!-- /wp:shortcode --><!-- wp:shortcode --><!-- /wp:shortcode --><!-- wp:shortcode --><!-- /wp:shortcode --> <div class=mw-wikipedia-container><div class=glossary_mw_wikipedia><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin" target="_blank">Michelin</a> (Wikipedia)</div><p><b>Michelin</b> (<span class="rt-commentedText nowrap"><span class="IPA nopopups noexcerpt" lang="en-fonipa"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English" title="Help:IPA/English">/<span style="border-bottom:1px dotted"><span title="/&#x2C8;/: primary stress follows">&#x2C8;</span><span title="'m' in 'my'">m</span><span title="/&#x26A;/: 'i' in 'kit'">&#x26A;</span><span title="/&#x283;/: 'sh' in 'shy'">&#x283;</span><span title="/&#x259;l/: 'le' in 'bottle'">&#x259;l</span><span title="/&#x26A;/: 'i' in 'kit'">&#x26A;</span><span title="'n' in 'nigh'">n</span></span>,<span class="wrap"> </span>-<span style="border-bottom:1px dotted"><span title="'l' in 'lie'">l</span><span title="/&#xE6;&#x303;/: nasal 'in' in 'vin blanc'">&#xE6;&#x303;</span></span>/</a></span></span>, <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1177148991">.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}</style><span class="IPA-label IPA-label-small">French:</span> <span class="IPA nowrap" lang="fr-Latn-fonipa"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/French" title="Help:IPA/French">[mi&#x283;l&#x25B;&#x303;]</a></span>), in full <span title="French-language text"><span lang="fr" style="font-style: normal;"><b>Compagnie G&#xE9;n&#xE9;rale des &#xC9;tablissements Michelin SCA</b></span></span> ("General Company of the Michelin Enterprises <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partnership_limited_by_shares" title="Partnership limited by shares">P.L.S.</a>"), is a French multinational <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire" title="Tire">tyre</a> manufacturing company based in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clermont-Ferrand" title="Clermont-Ferrand">Clermont-Ferrand</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auvergne-Rh%C3%B4ne-Alpes" title="Auvergne-Rh&#xF4;ne-Alpes">Auvergne-Rh&#xF4;ne-Alpes</a> <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_France" title="Regions of France">r&#xE9;gion</a></i> of France. It is the second largest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tire_companies" title="List of tire companies">tyre manufacturer</a> in the world behind <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgestone" title="Bridgestone">Bridgestone</a> and larger than both <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodyear_Tire_and_Rubber_Company" title="Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company">Goodyear</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_AG" title="Continental AG">Continental</a>. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the Kl&#xE9;ber tyres company, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Rubber_Company" title="United States Rubber Company">Uniroyal-Goodrich Tire Company</a>, SASCAR, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookatable" title="Bookatable">Bookatable</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camso" title="Camso">Camso</a> brands. Michelin is also notable for its Red and Green <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide" title="Michelin Guide">travel guides</a>, its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_map" title="Road map">roadmaps</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_stars" class="mw-redirect" title="Michelin stars">Michelin stars</a> that the Red Guide awards to restaurants for their cooking, and for its company mascot <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Man" title="Michelin Man">Bibendum</a></i>, colloquially known as the Michelin Man, who is a humanoid consisting of tyres. </p><div class=break></div></div></div>" data-mobile-support="0" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]' tabindex="0" role="link">Michelin Scorcher ll is a radial tire with a silica-reinforced compound for excellent wet grip, while the Shinko SE890 Journey is a budget-friendly bias-ply option with decent wet grip and long tread life.
Inspired by America’s Iconic Road
As an Italian company with an appreciation for American culture, Pirelli wanted to pay homage to one of America’s most well-known highways, Route 66. Thus, they developed the MT-66 Route to represent this iconic road.
Designed for Metric Cruisers
The Pirelli MT-66 Route is specifically designed for metric cruisers, not for Harley Davidsons. Riders will find appropriate sizes for their metric cruisers when choosing this tire.
Value That Doesn’t Compromise Performance
The MT-66 Route is a value tire but does not sacrifice performance. It offers a lot of mileage for your money, providing riders with a cost-effective option for their cruisers.
Mild Profile for Long Straight Roads
The profile of the MT-66 Route is mild and not extremely rounded, making it suitable for long, straight roads like Route 66.
All-Weather Performance
Despite being a value cruiser tire, the MT-66 Route has numerous tread grooves, making it an all-weather performance tire. It offers good water evacuation and works well in various conditions, from summer to winter.
Tire Sizes
For example, from the first size on the chart below, the notation 80/90-21M/C on a motorcycle tire, also known as a motorcycle tire in Commonwealth English, is a crucial component of a motorcycle wheel that plays a vital role in providing traction, absorbing surface irregularities, and enabling the motorcycle to turn through countersteering. These tires are integral to the motorcycle's suspension behavior and have a significant impact on safety, braking, fuel economy, noise levels, and rider comfort.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->The history of motorcycle tires showcases a continuous evolution aimed at enhancing grip for improved acceleration, braking, and turning capabilities while also focusing on enhancing comfort, safety, durability, and reliability. Over time, there has been a trend towards wider tires to meet the demands of larger engine displacements in motorcycles.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->Motorcycle tires are constructed with specific speed ratings and load indexes to ensure optimal performance and safety. The tire code typically includes a three-digit number indicating the tire's width in millimeters, followed by a slash character for separation. Different types of tires are designed for various purposes, such as dirt bikes, touring, sports bikes, and cruisers. Each type is tailored to provide the necessary grip and durability based on its intended use.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->In terms of construction, motorcycle tires are predominantly pneumatic but can also be filled with tire mousse in cases where punctures are common. The contact patch of a tire, the small area in contact with the road surface while riding, is a critical factor influencing performance. Different tire configurations cater to specific needs such as dirt biking, touring, sport riding, or cruising. Racing tires offer the highest levels of grip but may wear faster compared to touring or cruiser tires.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->Overall, motorcycle tires have undergone significant advancements over the years to meet the evolving needs of riders in terms of performance, safety, and comfort. From historical developments to modern construction techniques and specialized designs for different types of motorcycles, these components continue to be a fundamental aspect of motorcycle engineering and rider experience.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->Citations:<br>[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_tyre<br>[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire<br>[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunlop_Tyres<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:shortcode -->[glossary_wikipedia]<!-- /wp:shortcode --><!-- wp:shortcode --><!-- /wp:shortcode --><!-- wp:shortcode --><!-- /wp:shortcode --> <div class=mw-wikipedia-container><div class=glossary_mw_wikipedia><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_tyre" target="_blank">Motorcycle_tyre</a> (Wikipedia)</div><p>A <b>motorcycle tyre</b> (spelt <b>tire</b> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_English" title="American English">American English</a>) is the outer part of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_wheel" title="Motorcycle wheel">motorcycle wheel</a>, attached to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rim_(wheel)" title="Rim (wheel)">rim</a>, providing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traction_(engineering)" class="mw-redirect" title="Traction (engineering)">traction</a>, resisting wear, absorbing surface irregularities, and allowing the motorcycle to turn via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countersteering" title="Countersteering">countersteering</a>. The two tyres' <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_patch" title="Contact patch">contact patches</a> are the motorcycle's connection to the ground, and so are fundamental to the motorcycle's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_(motorcycle)" class="mw-redirect" title="Suspension (motorcycle)">suspension</a> behaviour, and critically affect <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_safety" title="Motorcycle safety">safety</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake" title="Brake">braking</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_economy_in_automobiles" title="Fuel economy in automobiles">fuel economy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadway_noise" title="Roadway noise">noise</a>, and rider comfort. </p><div class=break></div></div></div>" data-mobile-support="0" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]' tabindex="0" role="link">motorcycle tire refers to the size. The first number (80) represents the width in millimeters.
The second number (90) represents the aspect ratio, which is the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width. The sidewall height is 90% of the width in this case.
The letter “M” indicates that it is designed for motorcycles, and the letter “C” indicates that it is a bias-ply tire.
The last number (21) represents the diameter of the wheel rim in inches. The “M/C” designation indicates that it is designed for motorcycles.
| Front Tire Size | Rear Tire Size |
|---|---|
| 80/90-21M/C | 130/90-15M/C |
| 90/90-19M/C | 140/90-15M/C |
| 100/90-18M/C | 150/90-15M/C |
| 100/90-19M/C | 170/80-15M/C |
| 110/90-18M/C | 130/90-16M/C |
| 110/90-19M/C | 140/90-16M/C |
| 120/80-17M/C | 150/80-16M/C |
| 120/90-17M/C | 180/70-16M/C |
| 130/80-17M/C | 130/70-18M/C |
| 120/70-18M/C | 160/80-16M/C |
| 120/90-18M/C | 150/80-17M/C |
| 110/80-18M/C | 200/60-16M/C |
Please note that this chart only provides a general list of sizes for the Pirelli MT-66 Route 66.
It is essential to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific motorcycle to ensure compatibility and proper fitment.
Matching Front and Rear Sets
The front and rear tires have similar tread grooves, although they don’t perfectly match up. The front has a busier pattern to channel most of the water away.
These tires make great OE replacements and are easy to switch over from your OEM tires.
Speed and Load Ratings
The front has an H speed rating and a 57 load index, while the rear has an H speed rating and a 77 load index. Be sure to consider these ratings when choosing the MT-66 Route for your motorcycle.
Aesthetics and Design
The MT-66 Route features bold lettering with “Route” on one side and “Pirelli” on the other, adding to its appeal.
Features and Benefits
| Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Inspired by Route 66 | Pays homage to an iconic American road |
| Designed for metric cruisers | Offers appropriate sizes for metric cruisers |
| Value tire | Provides good mileage and cost-effective option for cruiser riders |
| Mild profile for straight roads | Suitable for long, straight roads such as Route 66 |
| All-weather performance | Offers good water evacuation and works well in various weather conditions |
| Matching front and rear sets | Great OE replacement and easy to switch from OEM tires |
| Speed and load ratings | H speed rating and load index of 57 for the front and 77 for the rear |
| Bold lettering and design | Adds appeal to the overall aesthetics |
| Excellent traction in the rain | It provides good water evacuation and soft compound for superior traction |
| Good mileage | Offers excellent mileage for the price point and soft compound |
What We Liked and Did’t Like
I believe that the Pirelli MT-66 Route are one of the best-value metric cruiser tires on the market. They offer great mileage, clocking around approximately 2,000 miles without any significant wear.
I found that the soft compound provides excellent traction in the rain, and it performs well in terms of water evacuation.
The price point is also a major selling point, starting under $150, which is great if you are on a budget.
People Also Asked
What is the Pirelli MT66 Route tire?
The Pirelli MT66 Route is a tire designed for cruiser and touring motorcycles. It features a deep tread pattern with grooves for excellent grip and mileage on various road surfaces.[4]
How does the front MT66 Route tire perform?
The front MT66 Route tire performs poorly, wandering excessively in corners and lacking confidence-inspiring feedback. The soft compound and siping pattern on the sidewalls contribute to this unstable behavior, especially on heavier motorcycles.
How does the rear MT66 Route tire perform?
In contrast to the front tire, the rear MT66 Route tire performs well, with a more solid center section that provides better stability and grip. The reviewer found the rear tire to be satisfactory and did not experience the same wandering issues as with the front.
What are the advantages of the MT66 Route tire?
Some advantages of the MT66 Route tire include:
- Classic, stylish tread design that complements cruiser motorcycles
- Excellent mileage and grip on various road surfaces due to deep grooves
- Affordable pricing compared to other cruiser tire options
What are the disadvantages of the MT66 Route tire?
The main disadvantages of the MT66 Route tire, according to the review, are:
- Poor handling and wandering behavior of the front tire, especially on heavier bikes
- Soft compound and siping pattern on the front tire sidewalls contribute to instability
- It may require excessive balancing weights on the front tire
Is the MT66 Route tire recommended?
The reviewer strongly recommends against using the front MT66 Route tire, especially on heavier cruiser motorcycles, due to the handling and stability issues experienced. However, the rear tire is considered acceptable and can be used if desired.
Final Thoughts
The Pirelli MT-66 Route is a reliable, cost-effective tire that pays tribute to the iconic Route 66. Its all-weather performance and compatibility with metric cruisers make it a worthy choice for riders looking for a tire that offers excellent mileage and performance without breaking the bank.
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