Phillip Island MotoGP launch for Michelin Power RS range

This weekend’s MotoGP round at Phillip Island is officially titled the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, and the tyre maker’s engagement in the event isn’t limited to name sponsorship and tyre supply. The Australian MotoGP round will also be the launch venue for a tyre that Michelin believes will become the “sport motorcycle road market’s new benchmark.”

Michelin makes this assertion about its new Power RS based on the outcome of testing carried out by Motorrad Test Center in Germany this month, using a BMW S1000RR equipped with size 120/70 ZR17 and 190/55 ZR17 tyres. The Power RS was compared with five competitor tyres, the Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3, Dunlop Sportsmart 2, Continental Sportattack III, Bridgestone S21, Metzeler M7 RR. We haven’t seen the results of the Motorrad Test Center evaluation ourselves, however Michelin certainly exudes benchmark bragging rights confidence: It opines that the Power RS is the tyre the others need to be measured against when it comes to dry-weather grip, agility, stability and peerless handling performance. Accordingly, the French manufacturer adds, it is targeting “the most discerning riders” with its new range.

Power RS front and rear tyres

“The tyre’s high level of performance in all these areas is due to the combination of Michelin’s longstanding expertise, its experience of top-flight racing and the diverse nature of its innovations,” reports a statement from Michelin. “The combination of new rubber compounds, some of which are derived from racing, and a new casing design has resulted in incomparable grip on dry roads and a unique experience for the rider. The innovative rear tyre features a patented construction which benefits from Michelin ACT+ technology for impeccable straight-line and cornering stability.”

The Power RS will be available from January 2017 in 13 different sizes (four front and nine rear), a range that covers a broad spectrum of motorcycles, from 300cc bikes to large capacity Supersport machines.

Size availability - Michelin Power RS

Front:

• 110/70 ZR 17 54 W
• 110/70 R 17 54 H
• 120/60 ZR 17 55 (W)
• 120/70 ZR 17 58 (W)

Rear:

• 140/70 R 17 66 H
• 150/60 ZR 17 66 (W)
• 160/60 ZR 17 69 (W)
• 180/55 ZR 17 73 (W)
• 180/60 ZR 17 75 (W)
• 190/50 ZR 17 73 (W)
• 190/55 ZR 17 75 (W)
• 200/55 ZR 17 78 (W)
• 240/45 ZR 17 82 (W)