Review - Michelin Defender LTX Platinum Tires - Cyberbeast

[PungoteagueDave]

For sale - one set of Pirelli Scorpion OEM Cybertruck tires - either 4 or 5, your call. Four of them have 11,500 miles and are in great shape, came on a CT built in February 2025, delivered in March 2025. One is a new spare, unused, four months old. They must be picked up in Boynton Beach, Florida.

$100 each, cash, no shipping for the used tires. $250 for the used spare tire.

These are available because I will be towing a 10,500-lb boat starting next week and the Pirellis are E-rated, maximum 2,756 pounds per tire. I am switching to the Michelin Defender LTX tires this Saturday ($2,100 at the local Tire Kingdom), solely for the E rating, which adds two sidewall plys and bumps the tire rating to 3,478 lbs. I know this doesn’t technically change the GVWR or axle ratings for my AWD truck, but the updated tire carrying capacity adds 500-lbs+ per rear wheel and is a meaningful cushion given I will be at nearly the edge of the Cybertruck’s towing capacity, axle and tongue weights.

Email [email protected]

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[HaulingAss]

I believe the OEM All Terrain have slightly better range than the platinums… but if you go that route, you will lose significant dollars due to their lower lifespan.

The extra grip is worth it for me.

You can't really put a price on more grip, that's what allows you to save it when a bozo driver does something illegal and unexpected. The brakes and the unusually maneuverable steer by wire are only as good as the traction your tires will give you.

 

[hemiarch]

The extra grip is worth it for me.

You can't really put a price on more grip, that's what allows you to save it when a bozo driver does something illegal and unexpected. The brakes and the unusually maneuverable steer by wire are only as good as the traction your tires will give you.

So which do you think has the better grip and are they both equally suitable for weekend light to moderate off-roading?
I currently have OEM AT with a significant lifespan still expected (only 4k miles on them) but planning for the future.

 

[HaulingAss]

So which do you think has the better grip and are they both equally suitable for weekend light to moderate off-roading?
I currently have OEM AT with a significant lifespan still expected (only 4k miles on them) but planning for the future.

I haven't driven the Pirelli's, I'm just going by feedback from those who have and said the Pirellis have a bit less grip on the pavement. Which makes sense because they are also supposed to last a bit longer. It also makes sense because the Pirellis have more deeply cut tread blocks which will contribute to more tread squirm under hard braking/cornering forces, especially on dry pavement. That's why I think Tesla was smart to choose a shallower, somewhat "spideriy" tread pattern for the OEM AT tires. Sure, it's not a mud performer, but that's what gives it it's good pavement qualities (limited tread squirm). I really hate tread squirm on the pavement.

As to off-road, I think it would be pretty close but, again, my guess is the OEM Ats are slightly better on hard surfaces, due mostly to the rubber compound, and the more "spidery" tread pattern while the Pirelli's would be slightly better on certain softer surfaces. That said, this is just an educated guess and they are likely quite similar in most respects, averaging everything in.

I do have a good opinion of the OEM Goodyear Territory AT tires due to their well-rounded all around performance. I think they might be more resistant to common punctures too, due to their more spidery tread pattern than looks less likely to pick up screws and nails. Really, the only reason I reluctantly run the Goodyear Duratrac's in the winter is because that's when I need soft-ground performance, and a certain level of snow ability, the two most obvious weaknesses of the Territory ATs. The Territories are not good on slush and slop. The Duratrac's are not my favorite tire although they do give me the versatility I need in the wet and cold months. They are very good in slush and slop, and a big improvement on soft surfaces. On ice they are a somewhat small, but significant improvement. The Pirelli's could, I think, replace my summer usage of the OEM AT's just fine, for fire roads and similar adventures, I just don't want to give up any pavement grip or flat resistance and I would still need separate winter tires anyway.

My $0.02

 

[hemiarch]

I haven't driven the Pirelli's, I'm just going by feedback from those who have and said the Pirellis have a bit less grip on the pavement. Which makes sense because they are also supposed to last a bit longer. It also makes sense because the Pirellis have more deeply cut tread blocks which will contribute to more tread squirm under hard braking/cornering forces, especially on dry pavement. That's why I think Tesla was smart to choose a shallower, somewhat "spideriy" tread pattern for the OEM AT tires. Sure, it's not a mud performer, but that's what gives it it's good pavement qualities (limited tread squirm). I really hate tread squirm on the pavement.

As to off-road, I think it would be pretty close but, again, my guess is the OEM Ats are slightly better on hard surfaces, due mostly to the rubber compound, and the more "spidery" tread pattern while the Pirelli's would be slightly better on certain softer surfaces. That said, this is just an educated guess and they are likely quite similar in most respects, averaging everything in.

I do have a good opinion of the OEM Goodyear Territory AT tires due to their well-rounded all around performance. I think they might be more resistant to common punctures too, due to their more spidery tread pattern than looks less likely to pick up screws and nails. Really, the only reason I reluctantly run the Goodyear Duratrac's in the winter is because that's when I need soft-ground performance, and a certain level of snow ability, the two most obvious weaknesses of the Territory ATs. The Territories are not good on slush and slop. The Duratrac's are not my favorite tire although they do give me the versatility I need in the wet and cold months. They are very good in slush and slop, and a big improvement on soft surfaces. On ice they are a somewhat small, but significant improvement. The Pirelli's could, I think, replace my summer usage of the OEM AT's just fine, for fire roads and similar adventures, I just don't want to give up any pavement grip or flat resistance and I would still need separate winter tires anyway.

My $0.02

Do you think if you run those oem AT’s on beadlock rims and can drop them below 36psi that would solve what you perceived to be the weak points?
I’m guessing snow is more compound/temperature performance related and I don't even know if deflating helps in that situation but I feel like t would definitely help on soft ground.

 

[TheEther]

The extra grip is worth it for me.

You can't really put a price on more grip, that's what allows you to save it when a bozo driver does something illegal and unexpected. The brakes and the unusually maneuverable steer by wire are only as good as the traction your tires will give you.

There's a difference in grip with the LTX Plat vs AT, I wouldn't call it significant. I've never had an issue stopping or even remotely feel like there may be one. I LIVE in beast mode and drive like I'm 20. Thats how insignificant a difference it is.

 

[hemiarch]

There's a difference in grip with the LTX Plat vs AT, I wouldn't call it significant. I've never had an issue stopping or even remotely feel like there may be one. I LIVE in beast mode and drive like I'm 20. Thats how insignificant a difference it is.

Isn’t it crazy that those with the most to lose in terms of years of life are the least afraid to lose it?

 

[TheEther]

Isn’t it crazy that those with the most to lose in terms of years of life are the least afraid to lose it?

Not sure where you're going with that one. Elaborate?

 

[hemiarch]

Not sure where you're going with that one. Elaborate?

Well, when you say you drive like you’re 20 that’s because it’s descriptive for a reason.. 20 year olds frequently drive like maniacs.
When a 60 year old loses life to an accident, it’s very very sad but odds are they have likely had somewhat of a career, a marriage and had some kids.
When this happens to a 20 year old, they never get a chance to do any of those things.
And yet, evolution has chosen to make them much less afraid of mortality. It’s strange.

 

[TheEther]

Well, when you say you drive like you’re 20 that’s because it’s descriptive for a reason.. 20 year olds frequently drive like maniacs.
When a 60 year old loses life to an accident, it’s very very sad but odds are they have likely had somewhat of a career, a marriage and had some kids.
When this happens to a 20 year old, they never get a chance to do any of those things.
And yet, evolution has chosen to make them much less afraid of mortality. It’s strange.

Succinctly, youth is wasted on the young.

I still feel young and enjoying the heck out of it! We live in the best time ever to live. So grateful.

 

[hemiarch]

Succinctly, youth is wasted on the young.

I still feel young and enjoying the heck out of it! We live in the best time ever to live. So grateful.

Likewise

 

[HaulingAss]

Do you think if you run those oem AT’s on beadlock rims and can drop them below 36psi that would solve what you perceived to be the weak points?
I’m guessing snow is more compound/temperature performance related and I don't even know if deflating helps in that situation but I feel like t would definitely help on soft ground.

No, dropping them below 30 psi wouldn't give them more snow/ice or mud grip,. It could even close up the tread voids as the tread cups into a concave shape. In mud it could increase or decrease your traction, depending upon the specific mud conditions. What it would do is ruin their future reliability and performance by stressing all the fibers in the carcass.

A good road tire is good because the low-stretch fibers and fabrics embedded in the rubber give structure to the tire when loaded and it's carefully engineered to do that in a corner or under hard braking. That structure is what holds the tread on the ground in a manner that can provide high traction when loaded. Those fibers will become fatigue fractured and the rubber around the fabric will get micro-tears and start to de-bond from the fabrics when run at very low pressures, which is just another way of saying you are destroying all the things that make it a good driving and reliable road tire. But the damage is generally internal and invisible to the eye. Until it makes it known by blowing out or simply by exhibiting poor traction and driving dynamics on road.

All of that is just another way of saying no tire can do it all. Even though I spend over 1/3 of all my miles on rugged backcountry fire roads, if I can get a tire that works well on the road, and is reliable, that's 90% of the battle. The OEM Territory's (and other tires in it's class), do fine off-road without airing down to silly low pressures. On many firm surfaces, they do better than a deep lug tire.

Airing down street tires is vastly over-rated, it has been popularized by people who emulate their rock-crawling rock stars, even though they do not tackle such extreme challenges. It might be because it makes them feel like they know what they are doing. It can compensate for uneasiness of their driving ability.

A street tire, even with beadlock rims, is never going to return great performance on true rock crawling terrain, even if you're willing to ruin them for more conformance. I air down to 40-44 psi for driving on rugged backcountry roads at slow speeds not because I have to, but for a little more tread compliance and ride comfort. And I will air down to 30 psi when I need the extra floatation (for example in old snowpack or fine sand). But I don't like to live at pressures below 40 because I value the ability to get in and out of the back-country reliably and avoiding blowouts on the highway. Beadlocks aren't going to fix that, they will just make sure you don't de-bead a tire. Which isn't even a problem if you drive with awareness and don't air down to really low pressures in the first place.

Beadlock rims are for tires that are not proficient on the highway in the first place. The OEM Territory AT's are great on the highway, and tough enough to take many miles off-pavement without much concern if one exercises reasonable care. The Duratrac ATs are even tougher, but I would consider them a serviceable (not a great) highway tire, and not a great contender for beadlock rims.

 

[HaulingAss]

There's a difference in grip with the LTX Plat vs AT, I wouldn't call it significant. I've never had an issue stopping or even remotely feel like there may be one. I LIVE in beast mode and drive like I'm 20. Thats how insignificant a difference it is.

I've never found a tire that didn't have a significant issue stopping as quickly as I would ideally like. That's just a way of saying that a shorter stopping distance is better. Same with the ability to corner harder. That said, even the worst, least grippy tires I've driven could bring the vehicle to a stop without issue and drive around corners without losing control. It's just a matter of degree.

But if you're saying they are very close to each other in grip, that's good feedback.

 

[TheEther]

I've never found a tire that didn't have a significant issue stopping as quickly as I would ideally like. That's just a way of saying that a shorter stopping distance is better. Same with the ability to corner harder. That said, even the worst, least grippy tires I've driven could bring the vehicle to a stop without issue and drive around corners without losing control. It's just a matter of degree.

But if you're saying they are very close to each other in grip, that's good feedback.

I am saying they are close, not enough to matter. I only notice it a little during a beast launch and hard cornering, very controlled and predictable.

 

[AC5]

For sale - one set of Pirelli Scorpion OEM Cybertruck tires - either 4 or 5, your call. Four of them have 11,500 miles and are in great shape, came on a CT built in February 2025, delivered in March 2025. One is a new spare, unused, four months old. They must be picked up in Boynton Beach, Florida.

$100 each, cash, no shipping for the used tires. $250 for the used spare tire.

These are available because I will be towing a 10,500-lb boat starting next week and the Pirellis are E-rated, maximum 2,756 pounds per tire. I am switching to the Michelin Defender LTX tires this Saturday ($2,100 at the local Tire Kingdom), solely for the E rating, which adds two sidewall plys and bumps the tire rating to 3,478 lbs. I know this doesn’t technically change the GVWR or axle ratings for my AWD truck, but the updated tire carrying capacity adds 500-lbs+ per rear wheel and is a meaningful cushion given I will be at nearly the edge of the Cybertruck’s towing capacity, axle and tongue weights.

Email [email protected]

I'd like to hear how that tow went. I have a 9000lbs trailer that I have tow with my CT, and was very pleased with the performance.

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