|
| News and products for the motorcycle enthusiast and professional |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR FOR MICHELIN The entries were judged on a number of criteria including product performance levels, innovation, sales success and success in meeting the needs of the market. The Pilot Power 2CT fulfilled all these aspects and the panel of judges duly noted this. The Michelin Pilot Power 2CT was launched to match the ever-increasing performance of sportsbikes, and at the same time, raised the level of road tyre performance to that of a track tyre. This was demonstrated to great effect at the launch, where Colin Edwards fitted these tyres to his Yamaha M1 MotoGP bike and promptly lapped just 2.4 seconds off the qualifying time from the previous year’s race. Following the launch, the sales of the tyre took-off almost as fast as Edwards with more than double the forecasted sales, while contributing to a large gain in overall market share. For the first time ever, a mass-produced sports tyre, primarily for road use, benefits from cutting edge race technology with a tread surface divided into separate areas. The combination of two different rubber compounds provides many benefits in the areas of wet and dry grip, handling response and traction – and very importantly, safety. With Two-Compound Technology (2CT), the central tread band of the tyre is capable of withstanding high speeds, hard braking and acceleration, and other extreme conditions of use. The 20 per cent softer outer edges of the tread come into effect at high lean angles, offering optimal grip and quick warm-up, and thus outstanding traction when cornering. Just 3.8 degrees is all that separates the maximum dry-surface lean angle of a MotoGP bike and that of a road bike fitted with Pilot Power 2CT tyres. The maximum lean angle is 51.2 degrees for the road bike versus 55 degrees for a MotoGP bike. This shows that the differences between top level racing and road bikes are getting smaller. The Pilot Power 2CT is yet another example of Michelin’s strategy of applying innovations developed in competition, to road tyres. No other tyre manufacturer transfers its technologies so consistently, so quickly. Photo caption: Michelin’s Olivier Gros receives the award from Suzi Perry and MCN editor Marc Potter.
|
|
| Biker247.com is an Internet publication brought to you by The 247 Network - Visit our other sites at www.the247network.com. |
| The entire content included in this website, including but not limited to text, design, graphics, interfaces, or code and the selection and arrangements thereof is copyrighted as a collective work under the UK and other copyright laws and is the property of The 247 Network. |