Hey you guys.I just have a really quick tire question. I was looking at the site and I was interested in buying a set of the Pilot Power Race M2s. I'm a newbie and I'm not sure if I would be better off with a soft set or a medium set. I'm sure that it's just really a preference, but are the mediums that much harder than the softs? Being new I'm not going to be flying at superfast speeds for now(Hopefully by fall I can though... :lol: )so that's probably another thing to consider in the formula. I also don't have tire warmers. Also how much better is the tire life on the mediums over the softs? I'm sure that somebody out there knows and could answer my question. Input would be nice. Thanks. The Rabbit
My opinion... forget the Power Races, get the Pilot Powers. Yes the Power Races are great tires, but they're more than a Novice or Intermediate need. The Pilot Powers are fantastic tires and will work well up into Advanced group (should you be one of those who sprouts up through the classes in just a few days). The Pilot Powers are $50 cheaper per set, will last you twice as long as the race tires, have a great profile and plenty of grip. But if you want to get the Power Races, I say get the dual medium set that's in the STT store. Again, for trackday speeds you won't need the soft compound, and the mediums will last you longer. But I really can't stress enough how good the Pilot Powers are, how much longer they'll last you and they're cheaper too.
I absolutely agree... Powers are the way to go! Those tires offer amazing grip, warm up relatively quickly, and last forever compared to race compound tires. For a great all around tire, they are a steal. You will see that many of the instructors have them on their bikes. Its not by accident... they really are that good!
Pilot Powers! +3! great tires, excellent grip that lasts and lasts and lasts... as a noob, you're not likely to find the limit of these tires. they're that good! cheers, Lance
Hey you guys thanks for the advice. That definitely makes sense and sounds like a good idea. I'll get the pilot powers. I just wasn't sure what to get. I also don't plan on being speedy right away. It's just a goal. It's ok to shoot high. On a serious note thanks for the input and advice. The Rabbit
Hey Lance, If you read this I was just curious how the party was on Saturday? I really wanted to go, but I ended up staying later than anticipated. The Rabbit
Hey if you guys happen to read an old topic again. I have a new question to this one. I didn't see the point in adding a new one. I was just curious as to how long the pilot powers last. I'm definitely getting them, but I just want to account it in my budget. How often I need to buy tires will be a factor. If someone answers this, thanks. The Rabbit
"I was just curious as to how long the pilot powers last" There are way too many variables to answerer that question. What bike, what track, riding style, bike set up, your weight, do you ride on the street, do you check you tire pressures? You could smoke em in 1 day, but most probably get 3-9 trackdays.
Power Race M2's are the older Michelins . I think they stopped production in '04 . Pilot Power Race are the new . If you are talking about the M2's for $210 a set , go for those . You can't beat the grip at that price and they will most likely last 3 days minimum unless you ride upper level advanced class . A good friend still buys those as long as they are available and he is still slightly faster than me most of the time . I used the Pilot Power Race mediums frt/rear all last year and got 3 days in midpack A class with no problems . I use them on my street bike afterwards unless they are just toast (which is possible after a couple days at some tracks) I've never tried the regular Pilot Powers (street tire) except on the street but I did take my new R6 out for the first time on the stock Dunlop Qualifiers which are supposed to be very similar . I turned very close to my last years best on them in A group and never had a problem . I did swithout for PPR midday to not press my luck though ...The new crop of street tires rock . I can't see anyone up to upper lever I group having problems on any of them ...
At the risk of offending STT Guy, I mounted a set on my gsxr-750; riding back to back sessions with them & the PP's on my BMW, at Grattan two weekends ago, I have to give the edge to the Qualifiers. much better grip on the 48 degree tarmac. I've heard that they don't last as long as the Pilot Powers, though.
In order to truly evaluate tires you would need new tires of each brand on the eaxct same equipment, est up properly, in the exact same conditions and a rider capable of riding the exact same lines/style/etc.. around the venue AND capable enough to know what the tires are telling him/her. It's a (very)tough thing to do. A tire that I find awsome might no be for you or say Bavol. He likes shagged out crap taken out of the dumpster!!!! If a tire inspires you, use it and forget the name on the sidewall.
ouch! careful with those zingers, Monte... :wink: I'll admit that my so-called "test" was less than scientific, on two radically different bikes, I can't say that i'm even close to comfortable on the gsxr yet... but, both bikes had new tires and on the cold track the PP's really didn't want to warm up and it never felt quite right. 48 degrees is really too cold for spirited riding anyway. that said, it wasn't the tires holding me back on my first day on the gixxer.