SR Street/Track Day Tire Comparison Test - Both Sides Of The Fence

Metzeler Sportec M3
Making its debut just after we'd completed our last sport tire comparison test in early 2006, the Metzeler Sportec M3 replaces the old M1 with a more sport-oriented design. Besides different compounds for the front and rear tires, the "Multiradius/Contour Modeling Technology" pioneered by the M1 features a more rounded profile on the front tire's shoulder with a corresponding profile changes to the rear tire. The patented zero-degree steel belt has been slightly repositioned in the front tire carcass to make the shoulder softer for "improved confidence feeling" and less stand-up tendency during midcorner braking, with the rear steel belt also getting some slight alterations to work with the new profile. The tread pattern maintains the trend toward less siping for more rubber on the road.

Although Holst gave the Sportec M3 high marks overall on the 600 at the track, Kunitsugu was less enthused with their performance on the 1000. Both riders praised the Metzeler's linear steering habits and compliance, but Kunitsugu complained that the rear Sportec's "carcass felt a bit soft, squishy...would tend to squirm, slip, then grip during hard acceleration" resulting in some handling issues exiting corners. Holst had no complaints with the Metzeler's stability or traction on the 600, but Kunitsugu found the ZX-10R made the Sportec "spin pretty easily, edge grip wasn't that great." He also found that the front tire "squirmed more than the others under very aggressive braking."

The Metzeler's compliant feel was more at home on the street at lower speeds and pace, with both the 600 and 1000 exhibiting good bump absorption and traction feedback, especially over rough pavement. The neutral steering response was a big plus here, allowing smooth corner entries in lazier bends without feeling twitchy or nervous. Wear rates were moderate on the street, a bit more severe on the track.

(800) 747-3554
www.us.metzelermoto.com

Metzeler Sportec M3

Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
Making its debut in mid-2006, the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT--although not the first dual-compound tire ever made--brought multi-compound technology back to sport tires in the modern age. The Pilot Power 2CT retains the standard Pilot Power's overall construction, with a cross-ply design up front using two rayon plies and a single aramid belt, and a single aramid (or steel, in the case of the 190 size rear tire) circumferential belt supporting two polyester plies in the rear. Tread pattern is identical to the Pilot Power. The 2CT (standing for "2 Compound Technology") uses a 20 percent softer rubber compound on both edges of the front and rear tires. In an innovative twist, the softer compound band actually becomes wider as the tire wears, allowing more consistent performance over the life of the tire.

The Pilot Power 2CT received the highest marks overall in the test, with both Holst and Kunitsugu using the term "confidence inspiring" when raving about the Michelin's traction, feedback, and precise yet neutral steering characteristics at the track. "Excellent grip at all lean angles, precise steering...decent compliance, but still firm enough to provide good feedback," wrote Kunitsugu, concluding, "Probably the best of the lot." Holst was only slightly more enthused; "Lets you pick and choose your line as good or better than any of the 5 previous tires [I've ridden on so far]...traction, feedback, and predictability are all excellent. Steering while trail braking also near faultless." About the only gripe in the evaluation sheets were both testers giving slightly lower marks for steering effort.

The ratings didn't drop much lower during street testing. Only the Bridgestone BT-016 received higher marks, with the Michelin providing very quick break-in and warm-up on both 600 and 1000, a marked contrast from years past where Michelins were often criticized in this area. Wear rates on both street and track were moderate.

(800) 847-3435
www.michelin-us.com

Michelin Pilot Power 2CT