Michelin Tire questions

[Doc]

So I am going racing... I don't expect to be throwing down 1.20s so...

I am wondering about tires. I know most of the Hawks use Pirellis but if I can get a good deal on Michelins I would take it.

Do I really need the Race tires or could I just get away with the 2CT's
Should I do a race front and a 2CT rear?

What do you think?

[OreoGaborio]

well... in my not so expert opinion... i'd say it depends on how fast you're goin. Can't remember off hand who did it, but I remember Dave from Motorace announcing that one of the guys at NHIS did a 1:18 on a set of pilot powers.... now granted they were shagged to shit after that, but it's doable.

Would I wanna try & do that? hells no, but that's not to say I could do that if I tried. But even if I could, I don't think I'd want to.

I think if you're doin 1:30's or greater on a "fast" bike (600 supersport or comparable), trackday tires would be fine. If you're doin 1:30's or less on a lightweight (SV, EX, Hawk etc), ya probably wanna be on race DOT's.

As for mixing & matching, I'm sure you could do it, but I'm one of those guys that would rather stick to a matched pair.

Tire threads are always a grey area. I think what it really comes down to is what your personal experience tells ya. What my experience tells me is if I were on a Hawk GT doing 1:30's or greater, I'd be comfortable riding on Pilot Powers... But as I got closer to the 1.5 minute mark I'd keep a close eye/ear on what my tires are telling me & make the decision on whether or not to make the jump to DOT race compunds based on what the Powers are doing.

[Karaya One]

BK was the guy who did 17's on standard street Powers on his SV but only for a few laps before they began to beg for mercy.

The 2CT would work as a race tire too but it all depends on how fast you are going. Powers would work on a Hawk just fine if you are slower than 25's and are an excellent race rain tire.

As you get faster, race tires give you grip and longevity together. They become a great investment.

And finally - economics. Pirelli's are cheaper and race tires almost always go out to the lowest bidder. Michelin is the most expensive tire in the paddock. But then, if you want a taste of the technology that wins MotoGP races and World Championships Michelin is the only choice.

[LiononaLeash]

I, unknowingly at the time, had a friend timing me from the stands a couple of TTD events ago(Sorry Tony, I scolded him for it ). He told me I was doing consistent 28's in the yellow group.

I know I got a little faster since then as I didn't have to filter through as much traffic running in the blue group. Most of them were faster than me so I could mostly just concentrate on the track. So I'll guess I was someplace in 27's, but alas, no times. This track-n00b is plenty happy.

I was on my TL1000R on standard Michelin Pilot Power. The bike is in the neighborhood of 500 lbs wet, and I am about 265 with all my gear on. The tires stuck real good and seemed really durable as I got 2 full trackdays plus 5K miles of streetriding out of them. The cooler temps the Power seems to still have lots of grip to work with too.

I can't wait to try my pushbutton laptimer that's built into my new ZX-10R.


I'm looking forward to trying the 190/55 2CT in 07.

[Doc]

Well I love my Michelins! That is all I have ever had on my bikes.

The Hawk Currently has 2 trackdays (1 full, 1 split 60/40 with the Duc) on Pilot Powers with NO CHICKEN STRIPS! They were very good on the track without a wiggle or problem. Seemed very soft and grippy.
The 900ss has the Power front with a Race H2 rear. Again I noticed no problems and it stuck great even though it was a cooler day with some rain early in the morning. It seemed to be balling up on the edges more (alot of lil rubber "balls" on the edges coming in from my laps, softer rubber?) than the Powers and was a definate difference from the Macadams I had on the street.
I am sort of concerned about riding that H2 on the street now that it is getting colder outside.
I do like my Michelins! Do the tires come with stickers? We all know stickers make your bike go faster!

Originally posted by Karaya One
BK was the guy who did 17's on standard street Powers on his SV but only for a few laps before they began to beg for mercy.

The 2CT would work as a race tire too but it all depends on how fast you are going. Powers would work on a Hawk just fine if you are slower than 25's and are an excellent race rain tire.

As you get faster, race tires give you grip and longevity together. They become a great investment.

And finally - economics. Pirelli's are cheaper and race tires almost always go out to the lowest bidder. Michelin is the most expensive tire in the paddock. But then, if you want a taste of the technology that wins MotoGP races and World Championships Michelin is the only choice.

[Doc]

Let me get this straight. In order of Race-street it goes

Pilot Power Race
2CT's
Pilot Powers

Right?

[TheIglu]

Are you gunna race?

Then you should use sport touring tires. It only makes sense. Don't use race tires.

Race tires are cheap on lighter bikes like ours. Spend the dimbf and buy a set. You won't regret it.

I like my Pirelli's currently. I have done a 1:24.1 on a hot day with no tire warmers. They give great feedback and seem to last and last.

I will be trying the Michelins next season though. You can never know if there is better out there unless you try.

[McBiggity]

i did a few 1:25's on the pirelli's. but will be trying dunlops for the beginning of next season.
so far I have used Michelin H2's, Bridgestones, and now pirelli supercorsa's.

[Awesome]

go with race tires. What sizes are you looking for? I know my tire guy is selling a lot of his 150's 160's at low prices. I've tried every tire brand at the track, the one that I refuse to race on would be pirelli. In order from best to worst in my opinion:

Bridgestone -
Michelin
Dunlop

I absolutely HATE the bridgestone distributor that was at the track all last year, but I liked the tires so much I contacted the corporate offices who assured me I would never have to deal with him. This whole season went great, i could not have asked for better service or quicker tire changes.

P.S. - Bridgestone also wins motoGP races

[Doc]

Yep, Gunna race the Hawk. At least that is the plan.

I have heard they (the Hawk guys) run Pirellis. I have just always used Michelins although I here the Pirellis are better and cheaper.
I will wait and see.
Tire size is 120/70 and 160/60

[McBiggity]

Originally posted by hessogood
go with race tires. What sizes are you looking for? I know my tire guy is selling a lot of his 150's 160's at low prices. I've tried every tire brand at the track, the one that I refuse to race on would be pirelli. In order from best to worst in my opinion:

Bridgestone -
Michelin
Dunlop

I absolutely HATE the bridgestone distributor that was at the track all last year, but I liked the tires so much I contacted the corporate offices who assured me I would never have to deal with him. This whole season went great, i could not have asked for better service or quicker tire changes.

P.S. - Bridgestone also wins motoGP races

Hey Jay, what is he charging for a 110/150 combo? for an ex500.

[Awesome]

Originally posted by McBiggity
Hey Jay, what is he charging for a 110/150 combo? for an ex500.

not sure. I remember seeing the signs up the last race weekend though. Drop Rick an e-mail at info@undergroundsupercycle.com. Mention I reffered you over about the smaller sizes that are on special.

[OreoGaborio]

Biggles, have you tried a 120 front yet?

[McBiggity]

yup- had the 120 up front on the michelins.
then switched to the 110 on the pirellis.
really don't have an opinion on either size.

[Karaya One]

The standard Power is still an awesome tire, and the preferred DOT wet weather for Michelin due to its better / deeper tread pattern and very quick heat-up compound over a Pilot Power Race. The 2CT just takes this up a few notches.

And then you have the new C3M process French made Power Races that have a new casing, and then you have the PR series Power races.

I just had mounted on Tony's bike a set of the new PR-C front and PR-3 rear. Both French made with the new casing. These are the latest and most advanced Michelin DOT race tires ever produced.

All of this technology is based upon what Michelin learns from MotoGP. This is a huge reason why Michelin competes at that level. To improve the brand, to drive the brand.

Dunlop, Pirelli and Bridgestone all make fine products and invest heavily in doing what they feel will give them the edge to win. If race tires were easy, Maxxis would be on the box too, but they don't have the technology gleaned from racing to improve the brand.

Continental is now looking at getting involved in DOT and slick racing on a large scale. It is a very long and very expensive road.