Michelin Motorcycle Tires: Like a Fine French Wine

February 7, 2009 by: MCg

Michelin Motorcycle Tires: Born in France

Ahh, the French. Famous for great wine, word-class food, fine art and Michelin motorcycle tires. Well, actually, probably more folks in France (and elsewhere in the world) are more aware of Michelin automobile tires, but only because they have not been personally enlightened to the finer pleasures of two wheels….

Although French wines date back to the 6th century, MICHELIN TIRESdate back to the 19th century - not because wine is more important than motorcycle tires, just that it took over a thousand more years for world culture to become enlightened enough to evolve to the pleasures of motorbikes and their need for tires.

History of Michelin Motorcycle Tires

In the late 1800’s, brothers Édouard and André Michelin manufactured rubber in Clermont-Ferrand, right in the heart of France. As a result of a local bicyclist, the pair determined to improve the performance of bicycle tires. And they accomplished that in a big way.

Michelin became incorporated in 1888, and in 1891, the company recorded its first patent for a removable pneumatic tire.

Fast forward a hundred years and in 1988 Michelin had an instant presence in the American tire manufacturing industry by acquiring divisions of the American B.F. Goodrich Company and in 1990 it bought Uniroyal. Nowadays, Michelin is one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world.