Full disclosure: I’ve been a big fan of Michelin tires for quite some time and after mounting up a new set of their Power Pure’s I will continue to be a devotee. I mention this because throughout the many years I’ve been riding I’ve tried almost all of the major players when it comes to tires. That includes but is not limited to Bridgestone (read my BT-016 review for more details), Dunlop, Pirelli, Metzeler and others. It’s with this knowledge that I can definitively say that Michelin’s Power Pure [channeling Jerry Maguire] “Completes Me.”

Obviously there has to be something for me to feel this way (although smelling new rubber is intoxicating in and of itself) and there is: science. The engineers over at Michelin have been hard at work refining their Power lineup for years and clearly it shows. How? Well incorporating what Michelin dubs as their Light Tire Technology (LTT), the Power Pure tires are some two pounds lighter per pair* than other comparable sport bike tires. This is done without compromising durability or performance and using LTT reduces unsprung weight and rotating mass which not only benefits acceleration but braking and grip as well (the trifecta).

The Pure’s also have the same technology that is found on the Pilot Power 2CT’s. Two Compound Technology (2CT) is basically where the center compound is constructed of harder rubber since it has to withstand aggressive acceleration and braking (medium in the rear, semi-medium in the front), while the softer shoulder compound helps ensure outstanding grip whether you're on the street or the track. What separates the Pure’s 2CT version from its sister (among other things) is the percentage of the compound that makes up the shoulder. The Pure’s have a front shoulder ratio of 25%-50%-25% (rear: 40%-20%-40%) while the standard 2CT’s have a shoulder ratio of 10%-80%-10% (rear: 11%-78%-11%). These wider shoulders compared to other Michelin tires (and brands for that matter) mean that most if not all of the contact patch is made up of softer, grippier rubber when the bike is leaned into corners.

Tread design also plays a role in how well a tire can perform. Rain tires have a specific pattern and cover a large portion of the tire to maximize grip. Full on race tires used in dry conditions have no treads (aka: slicks) as to take full advantage of the largest possible contact patch and thereby maximizing traction. Obviously there’s a compromise when dealing with DOT legal tires and I believe Michelin has found that balance. The Pure’s semi-slick tread design consist of grooves that cover only 12% of the tread surface which as mentioned helps maximize the contact patch. The resulting grip facilitates extreme lean angles which are certainly apparent at the track but perhaps not so much when street riding. 

Even though the treads of the Pure’s only cover a small percentage of the tire, the patterns were inspired by those of Michelin’s racing rain tires and work really well in the rain. I should know as the weather has been unpredictable lately so riding in the rain was a daily occurrence. I’m thankful to report that I had no incidents (and hopefully it’ll remain that way) but if you don’t have any throttle control while riding in bad weather, no tire in the world is going to save you from an unfortunate accident.

When the rain (soon to be snow) wasn’t a factor the Pure’s were an absolutely joy to ride on. Several hundred mile days of riding packed on the miles fast which helped me blow through the standard easing in period when having new tires mounted (~100 miles or so). This gave me plenty of seat time to get to know what was connecting me to the road. Curvy roads or straight roads; it didn’t matter as the Pure’s ate them up and asked for seconds. The grip and feel these tires have is remarkable and instill confidence in you like you’re a factory test rider lapping Aragon. Just for reference I usual run 32 psi in the front and 36 psi in the rear (cold tire pressure readings).

For those that are concerned with the “don’t those tires take a long time to warm up?” axiom, don’t be as the Pure’s are instantly ready. Now mind you I’m not talking about track days or sub-zero temperatures but rather “I’m going out on a Sunday morning ride.” I suspect even on the track these tires will do just fine without the benefit of tire warmers but since winter is moving in (time for some MotoGP on Xbox) this assumption won’t become a conclusion until next year.

Sizing shouldn’t be an issue as Michelin created the Pure’s in the now industry standard front and rear combinations (listed below). While these tires aren’t cheap (front: ~$205-$215, rear: $235-$305) if you do your due diligence you may be able to find a few deals for a set.

Sizes

Front: 120/60ZR17 (55 W), 120/70ZR17 (58 W)
Rear: 160/60ZR17 (69 W), 180/55ZR17 (73 W), 190/50ZR17 (73 W), 190/55ZR17 (75 W)

With just a few thousand miles on these tires they seem to be wearing quite nicely but further riding and the occasional track day definitely needs to be done before a final determination can be made (fine, I’ll take one for the team OK?). That said the Pure’s should be able to provide some decent mileage before a new set is required but of course your mileage may vary (for all you [insert MotoGP/WSBK rider name here] riders out there) so keep that in mind.

PROS

• Incredible grip.
• Quick turn in.
• Confidence inspiring.

CONS

• Pricey compared to other brands.
• Possible wear factor.

THE VERDICT

Michelin has a delivered a racing-inspired tire that is at home on the street and should be able to do double duty for when the urge to race becomes unbearable (i.e. track days). Having the best and brightest chemists and materials experts on staff to develop the Power Pure’s shows the evolution of the Power brand and easily paves the way for future advancements. 

*Average weight of a set (120/70ZR17 and 190/50ZR17) of MICHELIN® Power Pure® tires, compared to the average weight of a set of the following comparable tires: Bridgetsone BT-016, Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II, Metzeler Sportec M3 and Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

Visit Michelin’s web site for more info: http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com.

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