Michelin has announced two new road tyres for this year. Well, they say two new tyres, but the truth is that the really big news is that the Pilot Road 3 is all new, while the Power Pure has had a vague “technology” update and some new sizes added to the range.
The dual compound Pilot Road 3 is aimed at sports-tourers and looks like a totally new hoop, featuring a tread, compound and construction optimized for wet and damp conditions (which should be good in UK summers then..). Michelin claims new X Sipe (XST) technology is the key to improved wet weather grip and feel. The tyre sure as hell looks like a racing wet and not a million miles away from the Power Pure tread pattern. The new tyre is in dealers now and we’ve got a pair to test too…from a friendly dealer who says he’s impressed. So, more later…
Speaking of which…The well-regarded road-biased Power Pure will now feature “the latest latest-generation Michelin 2CT technology” as well as coming in two new sizes (120/70-17 and 190/55-17), with more planned through the year, making a total of nine fitment options. Get more info from www.michelin.co.uk – the new tyres are available now.
Check our review of the original tyre here.
Truly, at first glance, you could mistake the new Pilot 3 for a racing wet, such are the depth and shape of the grooves. The feel from the front, even from stone cold, is impressive (a bit like riding a racing wet!) and, although it remains to be seen how it copes with wear, so far we’ve been impressed by the performance in every department.
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