Hey folks, Was hoping to get some input on the Power RS tires, especially in comparison to the Q3+ from Dunlop. This is for a track-only bike. I've run Q3s in the past and didn't have any complaints, but I've heard of some issues with unpredictability once the tire starts to slide. I currently have Pilot Power 3s and like those as well, although they are starting to get a bit greasy on me - I think the Q3s felt a bit stickier. I'm taking a look at the RS due to the trackside support Michelin provides, but I've had trouble finding much in the way of opinions on the RS tire. Any input on how the two compare is appreciated. Thanks.
What group are you riding in? If advanced or fast intermediate (about to be bumped) I wouldn't recommend the RS from personal experience with the tire.
They'll both be more than awesome for your pace. Depending on what tracks you mainly ride on the Michelin has a softer carcass so its going to absorb more bumps and maybe feel smoother and the q3 is a stiffer carcass tire and will give you more feedback and feel more planted. It all depends on what you like. I'm still not sure which I like yet lol
Thanks man. I figured as much. I'm leaning towards the Q3+ as my local shop has been good to me and they aren't too pricey - $350 with mount/balance and looks like dunlop is running the $50 rebate right now.
+1 to the Q3+, been running them all year and really like them - great price, good life and solid grip even when worn and running at A pace I had issues with tearing on the rear tire when I tried the RS last year which prompted me to switch, so I say go for the Q3+, it’s a great all around tire
If it's a track-only bike, why wouldn't you run either the Q4 or Michelin Supersports? They are the "fastest" tires that you don't need warmers for.
I ran the Q3+ last weekend and was very happy with them overall. They had a $70 rebate active as well.
Don't have the pace for them. CSS and Ken Hill both run the Q3+, even for their top level guys apparently. It's plenty of tire.
Bumping an old thread. I am prepping to sign up for my first trackday in over 10 years. Back in 2008-2009 I did several days at Barber, Nashville, Tally, and Jennings on ZX10R. Was riding A group there at the end. Ended up crashing that bike on the street and losing my left leg below knee. Now I have a Honda NC700X DCT auto trans bike with a highway peg setup used to accommodate my leg, as I cannot bend my knee past 90 degrees. I have already talked with some STT folks and will clear tech just fine. Now I need rubbers... I have been riding cruisers ever since recovering from my wreck, so I have been way out of the loop on sport tires. I had extensive experience with Pilot Powers, PP 2CT, Dunlop D209GP, and Power Race soft back in the day. The NC700X I have now is no powerhouse at 51 hp so it won't be spinning any tire up exiting corners, and weighs in around 475 lbs wet weight. It handles great on street, been carving local canyon and curvy backroads up pretty hard on the Pilot Road 5's, but looking for something mo' shticky before I take it to the track. I have always been a Michelin fan except for the set of Dunlop D209GP's I ran once, which I liked pretty good. My initial instinct was to pick up a set of Michelin Power RS tires, but I have read a lot of good about the Q3+'s too. The problem is conflicting information. This thread has the Power RS pegged as the lesser performing tire with potential tearing issues, whereas other threads on other forums peg the Q3 as getting greasy early, being unpredictable, and having tearing issues. Whatever I buy will be used on the street in between track days. In my mind Michelin builds excellent tires, tires that work and generally are better than the competition and while that may not be the 100% truth, it's hard for me to deviate from that and buy a set of Dunlops over the Power RS. Anybody have anymore feedback on the debate between the two now that nearly a year has gone by since the last post in this thread?
Thank you for the question regarding motorcycle tires. Both the Q3 and Power RS are great tires, but there are limits to the Dunlop, and where the RS out performs the Q3. The main reason is the Michelin has quite a bit better longevity for wear than the Dunlop when subjected to the track environment. The Michelin also handles heat cycles with better success than the Dunlop, again when subjected to high-performance riding/track usage. Please feel free to call me regarding any further information needed at 734-210-8859. Side note, if you purchase tires from Sportbike Tire Service trackside, mount and balancing is free---we even offer removal of your wheels if need be for a nominal charge. Thanks
Great info, I will need to discuss pricing with STT membership and all that too, as I don't have a membership now but will purchase if it is worth it for tire pricing. Right now, you guys' pricing is significantly higher than that of STG's, but maybe the prices even beat STG's with STT membership tire pricing? I may only do 1 or 2 trackdays this fall, so the $10 discount on trackdays isn't that important.
Here are my 2 pesos about this : The Q3s, Q3+s, and the Michelins have a different riding experience just as a inline-4 rides different to a v-twin and the way they have to be ridden. Having said that... When you do a tire swap, even if it is just for giving it a try you have to readjust your bike suspension(tearing issues), use recommended manufacturer tire pressures, and the hard part...adapt your perceptions of what feels right and wrong.
I mounted the Q3+ last week. Only had time for one test run through the local canyon rim road before track prep. Going to break them in good at Tally Sunday. I am really not sure on what cold pressures to run, I was going to start with something like 27 and 29 and go from there. Don't want to go as low as 25/27 (what dave moss and others have said works good on that tire), because it will be on a bone stock 2013 NC700X with non adjustable suspension aside from preload on rear, and a 51 hp parallel twin, so it won't be as hard on the rear tire exiting corners as bikes with more power. Also I will be running Novice class and seeing how my highway peg setup does on track, hopefully I won't have any clearance issues. It's gonna be fun either way. If this works out well, I will either look at moving to a bigger bike or tuning suspension on the NC later on. For now, it's just a point of getting back on the track for the first time in 10 years, with one less leg and a knee that now won't bend past 90 degrees. LOL But to conclude, I really liked what I felt on the Q3+'s on the test run through the canyon. Seemed much more predictable than the Pilot Road 5's that were on it. Seemed to hold lines better and allow for line correction.