Michelin Pilot Power 2CT - Review
Hot
Dual compound technology derived from MotoGP racing, the Pilot Power 2CT gives a superb mix of grip in wet and dry conditions coupled with high mileage economy
Pilot Powered
Initial Thoughts
You know that warning that tyre companies give you on new tyres? Ride carefully for the first 100 or so miles, and the stickier the tyre the slipperier it will be! Well that was the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT, right from the offset I was slipping around like a greasy weasel, heroic powerslides off roundabouts and carparks - wicked fun!
To be fair that is not the best way to start a tyre review but it put massive smiles on my face for the first 'breaking in ride', when the tyre had reached its bedding in period it was time to give it a run for its money and it did not disappoint. The 2CT stands for 2 compound technology which gives you a slighly harder compound on the centre coupled with softer and grippier edges, because of this you get best of both worlds in that you can push hard on corners and still reap the benefit of high mileage.
Michelin have done a sterling job with the 2CT, riding in the wet was confidence inspiring and the levels of wet grip way beyond average - fast heat up times really helped deliver the grip when it was needed and that was usually in just a couple of miles even on coldish roads. Steering is just on the quick side of neutral so it remains nice and stable regardless of how much abuse you try and give it and it just keeps taking it too, totalling 4900 miles it squared off enough for me to notice the turn in speed reducing, that is with tons of motorway miles, touring miles down to the eurotunnel and across Europe and of course weekend and night time scratches. Simply put, for a tyre with this level of grip in all conditions the mileage is staggering.
So what is the downside then? Well there is only one remark I can give that is slightly negative and that is with bad road surfaces, the Pilot Power 2CT gives a very strange feel to the bike when the road surface is less than optimal - kinda like there is something loose or wrong with the back end mixed up with low tyre pressures, its an odd feeling to describe and takes some getting used to before you begin to trust it is doing its job.
Construction
With 2CT dual-compound technology, Pilot Power 2CT tyres achieve a maximum lean angle of 51.2o - unprecedented for a street tyre. Name 'tyre of the year' by Motorcycle News, and the winner of comparison tests in Moto Revue (France) and Motorrad (Germany) in 2006, the Pilot Power 2CT is Michelin's ultimate hypersport tyre. It's the perfect match for today's race ready sportbikes.
Pilot Power 2CT uses MICHELIN's patented Two Compound technology.
2CT is the technology that makes it possible for Michelin to lead its competitors. Michelin Power One, Pilot Power 2CT and Pilot Road 2 all use 2CT technology.
Editor reviews
Reviewed by Leigh Godson August 22, 2009
Last updated: May 29, 2010
Top 10 Reviewer - View all my reviews
Conclusion
Superb outright grip in the dry and way above average in the wet too, the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is an excellent all purpose tyre that can be used on both street and track.
Mileage from the tyre was very good, exceptional even at this grip level and although the actual tyre is rather expensive in comparison to a lot of others it delivered on every level it was asked to.
The odd feedback from uneven surfaces is more of a bugbear than anything, though some may not like the feeling it gives it does become apparent that it is the tyre and you get used to it.
