Michelin Defender road noise?

[Polar]

Need to replace my Pirellis but want something quiet like the LTX but the more aggressive sidewall like the Pirellis.

20” Defender LTX Platinum? Not the LTX M/S2.

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[Harvest]

I have a 3.5 year old R1T and switched from the Pirelli's to Michelin Defender on my 21 inch rims. I am not hearing the hum described, I've been pleased with them and they seem the same sound level as the Pirelli's.

 

[ciderarchitect]

I have the 20” Defenders and they are MUCH quieter than the stock Pirellis; no concerns here.

 

[SANZC02]

No, I get the road noise you describe with my 22" defenders. The OEM Pirelli's were quieter.

Did you get the 115 or 119 tires? I have the 115s and they are much quieter than the 22 OEM they replaced.

 

[saguaro]

The 21” version have a 116 rating, though not sure that would have much impact.

 

[Eeyore]

Did you get the 115 or 119 tires? I have the 115s and they are much quieter than the 22 OEM they replaced.

I got the 115. I give it a 7/10. The ride is good and the efficiency is slightly better, but I thought the Pirelli's were quieter and higher performance on the road. They are just too expensive.

 

[mkg3]

I recently put on fresh Michelin Defenders on my R1T. 21” stock wheels and replaced some worn out factory tires. Odd thing is, above about 60 mph I notice a very distinct, and very annoying, harmonic noise/hum that wasn’t there before. I’ve had the balance checked (road force balance), alignment and comprehensive inspection by the service center. Nothing out of spec noted.

Anyone else encounter this after swapping to the defenders?

Having driven quite a bit in Puget Sound during all seasons, the highways definitely have different groove to them than other places. I used to drive on the 5 and the 405 when there (3~4 times a month for few years) on various rental cars. Depending on the tires it all sounded different frequency and loudness.

I believe it's the tire tread pattern and the road surface combo issue. I guess based on your input, the LTX M/S2 tread creates more noise than PZero A/S for your area Also, the OE Pirelli's Rivian uses have sound insulations in the tires whereas this particular Michelin probably does not.

So it can be quieter in one road surface, and not in another. I currently have LTX M/S2 115 on the 22" and it is quieter than the original Pirelli tires.

 

[mkg3]

I got the 115. I give it a 7/10. The ride is good and the efficiency is slightly better, but I thought the Pirelli's were quieter and higher performance on the road. They are just too expensive.

Agree on the performance. Michelins have softer shoulders in general compared to Pirellis or Continentals. Because of that, it rides better than Pirellis or Contis, but depending on the tire type, performance is compromised.

 

[j33pownr]

Depending on the tires it all sounded different frequency and loudness.

I believe it's the tire tread pattern and the road surface combo issue. I guess based on your input, the LTX M/S2 tread creates more noise than PZero A/S for your area Also, the OE Pirelli's Rivian uses have sound insulations in the tires whereas this particular Michelin probably does not.

I would agree this is could be a good diagnosis except its definitely speed related on any pavement. Radio volume of >10 hides it so its not too intrusive. Seeing as we have 3 or 4 21" reports that there is a noise it seems like a 21" thing unfortunately.

 

[saguaro]

Small update, I couldn’t stand the hum, and since most of my driving is commuting on I5, I replaced the defenders with the Pirellis. Much quieter and actually smoother than the defenders on the highway, no differences to my ear at other speeds.
Doing a little research I think I understand why other folks hear the defenders as quiet. The 20” and 22” both use a different tire which is more prone to noise, where as the 21” oem is very much a true all season highway tire so less prone to noise originally.

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