MICHELIN PILOT POWER 2CT TYRES BY CHRIS MOSS
11 March 2006 - Michelin Tyre plc

Michelin has introduced a dual compound version of its sportsbike road tyre, the Pilot Power 2CT.

The new tyre fits between the standard version of the Pilot Power and Power Race tyres in the Michelin line up. At its launch at the Sepang Grand Prix track in Malaysia, the performance of the 2CT got the thumbs up from twenty European journalists and also impressed one other very special guest.

Like the standard version of the Pilot Power, the 2CT has been developed using lessons learnt from the heat of MotoGP competition. And with a 20% softer compound at the edge of the tyre, offers both excellent grip at maximum lean angles, without sacrificing durability thanks to the harder compound running along the tyre’s central tread band. With claims of excellent warm up times and wet weather performance, the 2CT should be a great all rounder for fast road use and track days.

Good track performance was not in doubt during the launch test with a wide range of sportsbikes fitted with the new Michelin performing superbly round the very demanding Sepang track. Certainly on the bikes I tried there was nothing to complain about. The Michelins could be used hard from the off. Grip was outstanding under braking, hard acceleration and cornering. And allied to excellent feel, they boosted confidence when things did eventually let go – something that only occurred occasionally at the rear of some of the more powerful bikes under very hard drive out of bends. Turn-in speeds were light and fast without compromising stability. Michelin’s wet weather claims couldn’t be tested out in Malaysia, but subsequent testing on the roads back in the UK proved they’re more than up to the job, with quick warm-up times to enable safe and fast riding within very a short time.

But what was most surprising about new Michelins at Sepang was how they dealt with the torture delivered by one Mr. Colin Edwards when they were fitted to his 250bhp Yamaha M1 MotoGP bike. Turning in lap times just 10seconds slower than he would have running on racing slicks, the American ace was amazed at just how well the road tyres behaved.
“I was scared shitless at the idea of riding hard on street tyres when Michelin first mentioned the idea. But after I’d done just a few laps I felt confident to push hard. Grip, stability and turn-in speeds were all excellent. And for a street tyre to get as close as they can to the times I can do on my race tyres is pretty damned impressive,” commented the Texan after his laps on the new tyres.

The new Pilot Power 2CTs are available now and come in sizes 120/70-17, 180/55-17 and 190/50-17. They are slightly more expensive than the standard Pilot Powers.

www.michelin.co.uk

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