Michelin Power RS review

Power RS wear pattern

When a manufacturer releases a new product and boasts a massive improvement over the previous it makes a little cynical. The new Michelin Power RS tyre did this.

The Michelin Power RS tyre was launched in January 2017. What seems like an amalgamation of the pilot power 3 and the power supersport Evo tyres. The new Power RS has a completely new construction, compound and tread pattern, derived from Michelin’s experience in Moto GP.
The tyres make up is of multiple compounds. The centre utilizes 2CT+, which is 100% silica, Good for longevity. Using 100% carbon black on the shoulders, this is good for grip.

Power RS
Power RS Variation used as Moto GP Transport tyre.
Image from Twitter Tim Walpole

Wrapping the Adaptive casing technology+ (ACT+) casing the Variable Groove Ratio tread design is a thing of beauty.

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The power RS looks very aggressive. Huge tread blocks occupy the centre of the tyre but very little of the edge of the tyre. The logic for this is great. Get the tread where it is needed to remove water from the road surface.

Realistically, you’re not going to be pushing hard in the wet and using the full tyre width. Why put tread there? Having tread on the tyre edge sacrifices contact patch with the road surface and therefore the dry grip available.

Power RS wear
Check out the chicken strips

Looking at pictures I was still slightly concerned about them in the wet. I had done some research before to see what they were like in the wet, but there was no information about. I couldn’t find a real-world review anywhere. Michelin had launched the tyre at the Losail Track in Qatar. A country in the middle of the desert and has about 3 inches of annual rainfall. Because of this, all the press that attended the launch got to play with the new tyre got to do so in a warm and dry environment. Not a Cold, wet night in Stoke like me.

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A friend of mine, who has does all of my tyres mounted and balanced them up. Surprised at the weight of the tyre itself he said it was extremely light. With the lack of tread grooves, it looked like a cut slick tyre.

I’ve had so many questions asking what tyres they are. People are surprised to hear that they are completely road legal. Marketed as a fast road, and occasional track day tyre by Michelin.

Straight out the box, they are grippy. Despite being told to take it easy, I was soon attacking roundabouts, with a big smile on my face.

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These tyres are amazing. Rain too isn’t a problem. I have been caught out in the wet stuff. At first, there was slight apprehension about riding in the wet on a track day tyre. As soon as I got going this went away. The fact the tyres run quite warm helps a lot.

I also went out for a ride with Ben in the wet and he noticed the tyres kicking up large rooster tails of water, so it gets rid of the water too. In terms of feel in the wet, I have had no issues, or nervousness or anything untoward they have been great.
All the above I have had them on for just over 3500 miles at the time of writing (23/10/17). The wear on them looks fantastic, I have been playing around with the pressures and they do like to be run quite low, much like a track day tyre. Settling at 34F&R although now autumn and winter are coming and the ambient temperature starts to drop I’m going to start experimenting with pressures again so the tyre doesn’t get too cold.

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I think they are a great all-around tyre so far if they last me another 1500 miles, (pretty sure they will, they look hardly worn after 3500 road miles). I am running slightly lower than recommended pressures for the road, but higher than what Michelin recommended for the track. They do get nice and warm to the touch after a ride, which is great. I am also starting to get some nice wear patterns on the edges. I am yet to venture on track with them so I can’t comment on how they behave when given more of a battering. As with any tyre though it all comes down to riding style, what you are riding and where you are riding it.

Overall I am very happy and will definitely be buying another pair.

Power RS compound
Check out the visible compound change lines
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