Author Topic: Michelin Pilot Powers: Holy Crap! (Read 4774 times)

tomacGTi · « **on:** September 20, 2005, 05:48:55 PM »

Well they're on and they're amazing.

Not like I have a whole ton of experience with motorcycle tires, but I got them mounted up this morning. Took a short ride on them this afternoon to run some errands and holy crap, what a difference! Running stock sizes at 34 psi ft and rear for now and the forks I left dropped in the trees an inch. I've heard folks run them as high as 43 and as low as 29 so I'll try the middle ground and adjust as they break in.

All of the reviews that say that these tires just fall right over in the corners are true. If you're used to running a more "flat" profiled tire, it can be a bit disconcerting but the tires have no qualms about it. There is traction as brave as you are to lean them over, this is at mile 15 (I wasn't pushing it, just laying it over easy barely on the gas). I came home from the bank with an inch of chicken strip on either side to show how much of a wussy I was.

I am looking forward to the time when they'll be fully broken in to see just how they are. Most forums that I searched had nothing but raves about them and as far as mileage is concerned, the jury's out on that one. I've heard as few as 2k miles and as high as 6, so we'll see. I don't put on a whole ton of miles on the bike and commute on it every now and then. Most of it's life is spent carving around the roads here, so I'll be ecstatic to get 5k out of them. If R6s can eek out 6k, I'm sure the Bandit will do OK.

It amazes me how much I was able to push the crappy tires that were on the bike before. I'll update as I get more miles on.

-Randy

PitterB4 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2005, 09:47:56 PM »

I'm on my way out to the garage right now to put my wheels back on with my new M1s. Can't wait to try them out too!

Honenstly Randy, I think you could have put some Kendas on there and seen an improvement. IIRC, you had a SERIOUSLY flatspotted rear and a mismatched Mez1 that was beginning to dryrot on the front. Now you're gonna have some fun!

interfuse · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:10:38 PM »

Quote from: "PitterB4"

I'm on my way out to the garage right now to put my wheels back on with my new M1s. Can't wait to try them out too!

I'm a Metzler man myself... I can't wait to buy a new set next season. My rear tire is getting old but I don't want to buy a new tire just to have it sit around for 4 months. Damn Canadian winter!

tomacGTi · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:18:00 PM »

Rob, when I put those tires next to the clapped out ones, it was pretty obvious to see the difference.

The front was, since it was the wrong profile, about two inches shorter (!!), the rear was obvious: the top was flat and was obviously worn more on the left due to the crown of the road.

Needless to say, the damn thing turns in like a ninja now and just is more controllable when you bring it over.

Time for another ride Rob.

Holy crap!

Herr Tod · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2005, 05:41:25 PM »

Pilot Power... is there anything else????

Garyola · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2005, 05:50:35 PM »

I got 6 track days out of a set of Powers. I think 5 was the limit.
At the track yesterday, the front started to slide a bit in the morning and then it was OK for about 20 or so laps and then the front gave up the ghost in a right hander. I low sided and then got the bike back up and repaired for a few more laps but I just didn't have the confidence in the front anymore so I'll need a new set of Pilot Powers.
Very good tire. I was running them at about 27psi on the front and 26 on the rear.
I'll retire the old set to my wife's bike. She'll never use the edge of them anyway and the middle is as good as new with tons of stick for the street.

It doesn't take long to break them in. They are broken in the second any part of the moving tire touches the pavement. Just take it easy for the 1st couple of corners and you are set to go.

G

tomacGTi · « **Reply #6 on:** September 22, 2005, 12:47:42 AM »

They're broken in now and they feel as though if pavement were upside down, it would stick to it.

Damn amazing tires. Then again, an innertube with duct tape would have been amazing in comparison to what came off the bike. They're just damn predictable and controllable on edge.

Just wondering what mileage will turn out to be. At mile 100 and still have the little titties on them.

-Randy

PitterB4 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 22, 2005, 06:18:15 AM »

Quote from: "Garyola"

... and then the front gave up the ghost in a right hander. I low sided ...
G

Damn, Gary. Sorry you went down. Sounds like you and the bike are OK, though.

Garyola · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2005, 10:20:35 AM »

Thanks PitterB4. I am OK. Just a small bruise on my right elbow. Those Spyke leathers work well. They are looking a little beat up these days. One slide on May 13th and then this one has them looking like they've been through it. The bike just needed a brake lever and clipon straightening.

Randy, those little titties will come off in time. You are riding on the street so don't be in any hurry to start melting the rubber and pushing the limit of those tires. If you want to get the rubber real hot, take it to the track.

G

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2005, 02:01:13 PM »

Quote from: "Garyola"

Thanks PitterB4. I am OK. Just a small bruise on my right elbow. Those Spyke leathers work well. They are looking a little beat up these days. One slide on May 13th and then this one has them looking like they've been through it. The bike just needed a brake lever and clipon straightening.

Randy, those little titties will come off in time. You are riding on the street so don't be in any hurry to start melting the rubber and pushing the limit of those tires. If you want to get the rubber real hot, take it to the track.

G

when ya gonna make the travel to NELSON LEDGES bro , looking real good on the bike!

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2005, 02:04:23 PM »

On tires im buying a new set of slicks this weekend in hopes to win my class , They are gonna be whatever Bridgstone has to offer new ! Ive ran on dunlops and perrelli metzler slicks but never bridgestones so we'll see

Garyola · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2005, 03:48:01 PM »

Quote from: "gsxr400 racer"

On tires im buying a new set of slicks this weekend in hopes to win my class , They are gonna be whatever Bridgstone has to offer new ! Ive ran on dunlops and perrelli metzler slicks but never bridgestones so we'll see

Well good luck on the Bridgestones. I'll be praying to the track gods for you to win. Go get'em!!

Nelson Ledges, eh? Well you never know. Maybe next season I'll try to arrange a trip down there with you and maybe some of the other track whores on this board.

Would be a great trip.

G

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2005, 03:57:01 PM »

yea that would be great you can camp out and stuff there i could get a group discount im sure since im working there again!

PitterB4 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2005, 04:09:02 PM »

I may be a bit promiscuous but I ain't no whore!

(not yet, anyway!)

Gary - you should put both B's on the trailer and come down for the rally with the 12 and do a track day with the 4!

Garyola · « **Reply #14 on:** September 22, 2005, 04:12:08 PM »

Sorry for the thread jack.

I'm about a 6 and a half hour drive from my house to the track. This is very doable. So I think I'd be totally into this. Since the Canuck buck is getting closer in value to the American dollar it wouldn't cost all that much.

We'll talk.

G