M1's vs. Pilot Powers????????

[By-Tor]

I'm doing a trackday at Pocono in a couple weeks and my question too you is......

I currently have a set of M1's in a 120/190 combo on my bike. They have 1500 miles and 1 track day on them. They are at about 60% tread life left and very even wear as I do very little straight line riding. They have plenty of meat to get through this trackday and then some.


I also have a set of Pilot Powers in a 120/180 combo sitting in my garage.


Is there enough difference in grip between the Powers and M1's to merrit switching the M1's for the Powers before going to the track?

Anyone with experience with both tires, please post up.

[OreoGaborio]

well... i can't say i'm very well versed in the different feels between tires, but when i got my bike it had a set of crappy 207's.... a squared off rear & scalloped front. then i switched to the Metzler Sportec M1's and as anyone would expect, i was fuckin BLOWN AWAY. I ran em for my first two trackdays at NHIS and again at VIR... i also put about 5-6k miles on em between those days & they held up like champs. They still have about 1/3 tread on em & i'm savin em just in case (i'll have to plug the front though)

now... i just threw on some pilot powers a few weeks ago (didn't wanna run a plugged front at NHIS) & can say i had a fuckin blast at the last trackday.... BUT... i think the thing that skews my view on the pilot powers is the fact that i've been progressing as a rider as well... but i'll tell ya I had a fuckin BLAST. i think the powers were a little more confidence inspiring w/ their awesome grip and they felt very predictable. unfortunately i raised the shocks up in the tripples about 8mm so i didnt have an identical bike setup as before the swap.

with all that said, taking into consideration the fact that your M1's still have alot of life in em, i say keep em on there & finish em off, then throw on the Powers for a day at NHIS 1,500 miles is YOUNG for those tires. i dunno if it's cuz i'm easy on tires cuz of my weight & riding style, but they'll last you at LEAST 3,000 miles more.... beat the shit out of em @ Pocono & delay the gratification of the powers... you'll appreciate em that much more once you finally get em on.

[Karaya One]

Look at it this way - where does the manufacter draw his technological info and testing from?

Michelin has Moto GP, and Metzeler through Pirelli and its WSB control tire.

Michelin competes against all brands worldwide, while Dunlop and Pirelli does not on a consistant basis. The experience they gather through WINNING in the UK, Europe, Oz, All-Japan, World Endurance etc goes a very long way towards building a tire.

You can see this parallel in F1 right now, where Michelin is kicking Bridgestones ass.

Granted, I sell Michelin and believe in the product through our support work so I may have a skewed reputation , but the facts prove it out - Michelin wins championships, including WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. And the knwledge obtained from all that is sitting in your garage right now.

Don't judge the USA with Michelin and Dunlop - Dunlop spends more in the USA on racing than Michelin ever will. Dunlop chooses to succeed in front of the USA, Michelin chooses to succeed in front of the world.

For street tire, its hard to find a bad tire. I also sell Continental, and the new Force Max is an excellent tire. And the soon to be released Street Attack is already testing over a second faster in Germany over the current Power.

For s sportbike rider, these are indeed great times!

[ChR1s]

Depending on your bike, and how you ride...

I've ridden both. Spoon the Powers on. The M1s are decent tires, but they're not even close to the grip of the Powers. Also, M1s go off BIG TIME after they shed their outermost layers. I am very impressed with the grip of the Powers, and also their composure while on their sides. Nice, neutral handling too -- they inspire a lot of confidence. The M1s are like the old Pilot Sports, but with a bit more forgiveness when they break loose. Good, but not great. The M1s also wear quickly, while the Powers take abuse quite well.

[Half Squid]

I am tearing through my Pilot powers fast, I already need a new rear @ about 3500 miles. The front is in good shape.

I may go through one more rear to see if they last longer by not shreading the thing through Deals gap! I think the roads down south and the way we were riding has a lot to do with the life of my rear getting cut short...

I used to run M1's on my YZF600R and loved them, they lasted long and handled the road excellent. Compairing them with the POWERS... There is no comparison.. The POWERS RULE!!!!! If your not tearing up back roads all the time, and want a longer lasting tire, stick with the M1's.

Now keep those on for the track day and then treat yourself to some nice new POWERS after!! You'll love them!!!!

DUNSLOPS SUCK...........
My mind my change after a day on the 208GP's I have on my track rims?? For $70 I had to go for it and try them out... After the 21st at Tony's track day I'll post up my report on them.

[By-Tor]

So I made my decision. I'm selling my M1's to a friend and putting the Powers on for the Pocono trackday

Thanks for the help guys

[rjh200]

Make sure you shred those Powers up good for me

[By-Tor]

No problem Randy

[Honclfibr]

That reminds me, I need a new set of powers before the next track day.

Dave, you got any in stock for a 98 zx6r?

[Karaya One]

I do, but you can probably get them cheaper through the magazines / internet.

Some of those prices are nuts - these guys make ZERO money on tires, and just destroy the market.

[Half Squid]

I need a new rear POWER.

Anyone else need a tire or two? If we order two or more shipping is free from southwest moto! Work with me here! Or I'll just bite the bullet...

[sandman]

Originally posted by Half Squid
I am tearing through my Pilot powers fast, I already need a new rear @ about 3500 miles. The front is in good shape.

wow thats a lot, i usually feel very lucky when i get more than 2500 miles out of a rear

oh ya i forgot, you have one of those low hp twins

[OreoGaborio]

zzzzzZZZING

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by sandman

oh ya i forgot, you have one of those low hp twins

Ya Bastid...

[Green Hornet]

Here is my experience in regards to the tires, straight from the track--all this month.

A buddy used the Powers on a 600 and he said they felt greasy, too much feedback, and lowsided in T2 at Loudon. He wanted the M1s.

Another buddy tried on a set of the Powers and said the same thing, he crashed but it was because someone took him out.

I've been riding on Michelins all season and I'm super happy with them (got both sets from Dave), but they were the H2s and the Sport Cups. This season I'm sticking with Michelins because I have no complains from them.

By-Thor...when is your Pocono date?

I was thinking about doing a day down there, maybe we can share the ride down there (I trailer both bikes).

[By-Tor]

The Pocono date is next tuesday June 21. I think it might be full but it's worth taking a look at the site to see if there are any openings. http://www.championsportbikeclub.com/

I'll be hauling 1 bike in the bed of my truck and 2 others on the trailer. If you get in, we can meet on the highway. I'll be meeting a few friends from another forum down there.

Let me know what you find out.

Since this will be my first time to Pocono, I'll be running the intermediate group.

[Karaya One]

I have sold over 1000 street Power's for both street and track duty to everything from the kitted FZR400 to Aprilia RSV Mille R's.

I have NEVER heard them being called greasy, EVER. They should look at air pressure, suspension set-up etc before blaming the tires.

Greasy is the last thing anyone should ever equate to these new Michelins.

[By-Tor]

Karaya, what operating pressure do you recomend for the Powers for track days? I've been hearing some folks run higher than conventional pressures. I had good luck with 31f and 31r with the M1's.

This is a 120/180 combo on a 1000RR.

[Green Hornet]

June 21st is no good, Tonys trackday--

[By-Tor]

Originally posted by Green Hornet
June 21st is no good, Tonys trackday--

Yeah, it was a tough decision for me.

[Karaya One]

30 front, 28 rear is Loudon tire pressure.

Street Pilot Powers have done 17's at Loudon last fall.

[By-Tor]

Originally posted by Karaya One
30 front, 28 rear is Loudon tire pressure.

Street Pilot Powers have done 17's at Loudon last fall.

I know it's not your area, but any idea on pressures for Pocono FUSA course?

[jjs777]

Greasy is the last thing anyone should ever equate to these new Michelins

After laying down nearly 1/4 mile of oil and soaking my new michy powers...I wiped em down and still stuck like glue roun the track after just one session at nhis

greasy ? nope...oily ? yes by my own ignorance AND still scrubbed em in from edge to edge same day

amazing tire me thinks and the m1 is no doubt a great tire...but its not in the same league any more with the new powers - and thats coming from a metzler fan

check out a recent intense tire test
http://www.zinio.com/express?issue=77606059