hen Michelin introduced the world’s first dual-compound race tires in 1994, it was a technological breakthrough that left other tire companies playing catch-up. For the first time, Grand Prix racers enjoyed the cornering grip of a soft rubber compound on the tire shoulders, while a harder rubber mix in the center of the tread ensured race-length durability.
     In 2005, Michelin became the first tire company to put dual-compound performance radials into mass production, with the introduction of Power Race® tires. These race-oriented, DOT-approved tires have won countless races and championships over the ensuing three seasons.
     The following year, Michelin further distanced itself from the competition with the debut of Pilot® Power 2CT tires, the first Two Compound Technology (2CT) tires targeted at street and track-day riders.
     This year, Michelin has again raised the bar, following the introduction of Pilot® Road 2 tires, the industry’s first dual-compound sport-touring radials. Thanks to 2CT, Pilot Road 2 tires deliver both the highest mileage and best wet grip of any comparable tires, confirmed by independent tests. Pilot Road 2 tires make Michelin the first and only tire company with a full range of multi-compound radials covering racing, sport riding and sport touring.
     While Michelin’s three 2CT radials share multi-compound rubber technology, Power Race, Pilot Power 2CT and Pilot Road 2 tires have distinct characteristics to help ensure that each tire is ideally suited for its intended use.


he newest member of the Michelin 2CT family is aimed at sport touring riders, for whom mileage and all-weather grip are paramount. Accomplishing these two disparate objectives is no easy feat. Grip is a product of softer compounds, while harder rubber is needed for tread life–making this the ideal application for 2CT!
Pilot Road 2 tires use three new silica-reinforced tread compounds. Developed from MotoGP rain tires, the silica component helps provide grip and progressive responsiveness on cold, wet surfaces.
     The front tires integrate two soft rubber compounds, while the rear tires are made with a harder compound that can help withstand the greater demands of delivering power to the ground. The rear tires also have a softer shoulder, part of which is in contact with the ground even when the motorcycle is upright. This helps facilitate quick warm-up and, consequently, grip.
     The superior performance of Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires was confirmed by CERM, an independent testing lab that evaluated Pilot Road 2 tires–in 120/70 ZR 17 and 180/55 ZR 17 sizes–against six direct competitors in two key areas: wet-road grip and wear resistance.
     CERM compared lap times on a wet track, with test riders aboard identical Suzuki GSF 1200 Bandit motorcycles. Riders weren’t told which tires they were using. After the results were tabulated, bikes fitted with Pilot Road 2 tires consistently posted the fastest lap times.
     To test tread life, riders were sent out on the same Suzuki Bandits, each fitted with one of the seven tires being tested. After each rider completed 5000 kilometers (3100 miles), tread wear was measured and again, Pilot Road 2 tires came out on top.
     Virtually every tire promises either better grip or superior longevity, but only Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires deliver the best of both worlds. Suggested retail prices for Pilot Road 2 tires range from about $415 to $485 per pair. A special Pilot Road 2 “B” rear tire is also available in the 180/55 ZR 17 size, specifically designed for bigger bikes like the Yamaha FJ1300 or those that are regularly ridden two-up.


n extension of the renowned Pilot Power line of ultrahigh-performance tires, Pilot Power 2CT tires add a second rubber compound on the outer edges of the tread that’s 20 percent softer than the center tread. This softer rubber promotes higher cornering grip at full lean–an important benefit for sportbike owners who use their bikes for track days.
     The compound in the center of the tread is designed to withstand high speeds, sudden acceleration and braking. The outer edges of the tread come into use at maximum lean angles. Their softer compound heats up quickly and provides optimal grip at lower speeds, delivering outstanding traction when cornering.
     Thanks to Michelin 2CT, the performance gap between race bikes and street bikes is growing smaller. In 2006 Michelin fitted a pair of Pilot Power 2CT tires to Colin Edwards’ 250-horsepower Yamaha MotoGP bike and turned him loose on the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. Edwards’ best lap time on these remarkable street tires was within 6 percent of his fastest time on Michelin racing slicks.
     Suggested retail prices for Pilot Power 2CT tires range from about $426 to $485 per pair.


ower Race tires deliver ultrahigh-performance for racing and track days. With three different front tires and three rears, riders can choose exactly the right combination of compounds to suit their personal riding styles, just like a MotoGP racer.
     The three versions of Power Race tires are labeled Medium, Medium Soft and Soft. The three differ both in the compounds used, and in the tread surface area devoted to each of the compounds.
     The Soft versions (front and rear) of Power Race tires employ a single soft compound to maximize grip on every part of the tread in contact with the ground. These tires heat up quickly across the entire tread width and are recommended for qualifying sessions and races that are run in cooler conditions.
     Besides multi-compound technology, Power Race tires copy a number of other features found in Michelin® MotoGP tires. Power Race tires are made from a rubber formula specifically developed for the racetrack, known as C-RAO (Compounds-RAcing Optimization). It’s a combination of three synthetic components originally developed for MotoGP tires.
     Power Race tires are manufactured using Michelin’s secretive C3M Technology™, the same used to make MotoGP tires. C3M (which stands for carcasse, monofil, moulage et mechanique) allows components beneath the rubber to be assembled with pinpoint precision. This permits belts, cords and other reinforcements to be placed at performance-specific angles to control the shape of the tire while it’s in motion, a critical factor in performance.
     Suggested retail prices Power Race tires range from about $437 to $603 per set, depending on sizes and compounds.
     The Michelin 2CT tire family incorporates the latest in a long line of innovations that Michelin has pioneered on the race track and brought to the road. All Michelin 2CT tires are available through Parts Unlimited.