A Comparison: Yokohama YK740 GTX vs Michelin Defender

Last Updated on June 8, 2021 by Stephen Tillman

Choosing the best tires is much like selecting the best car model. You will come across thousands of tire options available in the market, but choosing the best one can wrack your brain. Today, we will review two tire models worth considering: Yokohama YK740 GTX and Michelin Defender. We will look into their performance and features and evaluate which one is a better tire for your vehicle.

We will also discuss the benefits, pros and cons, and features of both the tires so that you can better assess things. Hopefully, this article will help you make the best judgment about choosing your tires by the end.

Head To Head: Yokohama YK740 GTX vs. Michelin Defender Tires

Material

The material with which the tires are made influence its treadwear in the long run. As far as Yokohama YK740 GTX tires are concerned, they consist of a Tri-Plex compound, which means they have triple layers of rubber compound in the tire. This factor can deliver balanced wear on the tread and ensure longer life. Their internal structures have two steel belts with nylon thread reinforcement, thereby receiving high-end shock-absorption.

When we talk about the Michelin Defender tires, they have an Evertread Michelin compound that is known for long-lasting durability and capacity to bear different types of conditions all year round. The rigidity of the compound is appropriate for driving in light snow. Inside, they have two steel belts that give them a sufficient load-bearing power.

Off-Road Performance

If you are planning to ride off-road, the tread design of Yokohama tires is not that aggressive, due to which they may not give a strong biting grip under harsh driving conditions. The channels are also not deep enough to handle in the mud. The sidewalls are also not sturdy enough to tolerate sharp objects and stones on the road.

When it comes to Michelin Defender tires, they have enough traction and grip on the road, including rigid surface materials like sand, dirt, rock, and mud. The 3D Active Sipes included in the tires give it an even better grip on the surfaces. The microgrooves and wide channels in the circumference provide a better grip and biting edge on the off-road conditions. If you are an off-road enthusiast, Michelin Defender tires would be a better choice for you.

Driving Performance On Snow

Yokohama tires are undoubtedly best for the highways, no matter the season. However, when it comes to winter, they can perform well in light snow only. These tires have a hard compound that may not perform that effectively in extreme cold. The grooves in these tires are also not sufficient to give adequate traction under heavy snow.

When we come to Michelin Defender, these are also suitable for driving on light snow due to their traction grooves and sipes. Similarly, they may even not survive under heavy cold conditions. If you drive your vehicle under heavy snow, you should look for a tire with a flexible rubber compound that does not freeze.

Traction in Dry Conditions

Yokohama YK740 GTX tires have unique tread patterns under dry driving conditions that can deliver unmatched dry traction when driving on pavements. You will be happy with its steering response, better grip, and handling while moving around corners. The hard rubber compound in the tires gives it excellent steering and handling ability. Due to this, they can absorb shocks and vibrations effectively. These tires have longitudinal sipes and grooves that provide an excellent grip to the tires under dry driving conditions.

Compared to that, Michelin Defender tires offer better performance while cornering. The grooves and compound of these tires contribute to high-end traction during dry conditions. It boasts of several 3D lateral grooves and sipes to enhance its traction and performance.

Grip Under Wet Conditions

Michelin Defender tires have an ergonomic design, and they have grooves to give decent wet traction while driving on the road. They have high hydroplaning resistance, thanks to their lateral grooves and wide channels. Their open shoulder grooves send the water out of the sideways.

When we talk about Yokohoma tires, their traction under dry and wet conditions are almost the same. They have extraordinary traction performance under moist conditions, owing to their tapered grooves on the circumference, along with cross-traction pipes and rain channels. The rubber surface allows water to channel out quickly so that the tire surface stays in contact with the road. Sipes are also there to improve grip over wet roads.

Road Noise

Yokohama tires have variable shoulder tread units and twin rail rib in the center that effectively work to reduce noise while driving. The noise is broken down to ensure a stable and noise-free ride. On the other hand, Michelin Defender tires are not that quiet but effectively do their work.

Ride Convenience

If you frequently drive on the highways under normal season conditions, Michelin Defender tires would be an excessively convenient option. They have good traction abilities in both wet and dry conditions, thereby keeping you safe during skids, drifts, and sudden brakes. The high-end compound used to make these tires is hard enough to last long and give value for your money. On the other hand, Yokohama YK740 GTX tires have durable tread, shoulder tread units, and twin rail ribs that provide overall driving comfort at a high level. As a result, you get a smooth, well-balanced ride on highways.

Warranty

The warranty that a brand offers on its products reflects its confidence in quality. For Yokohama YK740 GTX tires, the company offers a 30-days trial satisfaction guarantee and 65,000 miles of mileage warranty. On the other hand, Michelin Defender tires come with six years or 70,000 miles of warranty on tread life.

Verdict

Now that you have become fully aware of both the tires’ quality and performance, you can choose the one that best suits your riding style and requirements. In comparison, both the tires perform well under light snow but fail to work on heavy snow. You must refrain from both if you live in a snowy area. Go through their features and make an informed choice with this guide’s help.

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