I've had probably enough experience now to make I hope at least a half valid statement on these particular tyres. In a nutshell, I am really impressed with these tyres. They last very well, don't need to warm up and have all the grip you could ever need for the road and more.
This particular set on a 600 sports bike have had about 7,000km on the road and I just did my first 3 track days on them. The 2ct compound definitely makes a difference... you can commute endlessly and with the relatively high recommended pressures they will take a long time to wear down. I ran 38 42 for the street and 36 36 for the track. However next time I wish to run 37 or 38 in the rear tyre. These are essentially road tyres don't forget so high pressures are more suitable for track use to prevent overheating of the tyre and retain predictable handling.
For the road, I unintentionally found they have enough grip that even when cold you can get the pegs down on a modern 600 with good ground clearance (body leaning off the bike). As a measure of grip this is quite frankly all I could possibly wish for. In other words you will never 'run out' of lean even on a bike with good ground clearance, should the need arise to turn very hard.
On the track I couldn't fault them either. The front tyre grip can easily handle hard enough braking to lift the rear wheel in the air at high speed and they hold true and steady even with knee down around the bumpy turn 1 at Pukekohe. Only at one point at full lean and still decelerating slightly off the throttle (bumps to add on top of this load) did I feel the front tyre juddering/skittering slightly off line which was a good feedback of what I presume was all it could take.
Under power out of corners I did get the rear to break grip and slide a bit but it was very predictable and felt just 'as it should be', even becoming enjoyable. I was able to break into 1.04 from following Murray around on the R6 and I'd say there is still a large amount left to exploit in the tyres with a better rider.
The tyres are still looking very good and I intend to use them on the road for a long time yet. The rear is just a little chewed up on the side but I know I failed to put the correct pressure in it.
Lastly, as far as wet performance goes, in my opinion they are as good as any wet focussed road tyre. I have only had them break traction under really hard (read undue) acceleration and a front wheel slide under sudden sharp application of brakes. Unfortunately I can not comment on their performance when pushed truly hard in the rain although Michelin claims a possible '45 degree lean angle'.
From my experience with this tyre I have in all honestly become slightly attached to it. I also think it is very cool looking with that fluid tread pattern. Does anyone know if Michelin plan to continue making this model?
Some footage of them with my road bike at the track (horrible miss shift, I know).
In short, Michelin Pilot Power 2ct tyres have really impressed me and I would highly recommend them to anyone riding on 2 wheels, be that the commuter, weekend rider or road circuit enthusiast. Has anyone used these in racing? I would be interested to hear some experiences.
...Full throttle till you see god, then brake.
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Originally Posted by xgnr
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