How are the new Michelins... and other tires?

[DEVINC]

I'm new and also have been off the bike for several months due to financial situations so I am what you could call, "slow". I want to make my first race at Homestead in June so I am trying to get feedback on the new Michelins and other tires as well to see who likes what and why. I know that all of the tires nowadays are pretty amazing, and at my level all of them would work for me but prices seem to differ by a few bucks between the vendors. It also seems like a majority of people use Pirelli and Dunlop (at least that is what I have noticed) Anyways, whatever information anyone has will be helpful. Thanks for reading and replying.

[honda60071]

If still slow don't get the most expensive.  Bridgestone, appox 350 a set. Good to get you started,   start winning then switch to a higher paying contingency tire. Good luck.

[roadracer162]

I work under the presumption that the tires are better than me. They are all good tires and guys(not me) can go very fast on all different brands. Seems like the big bikes like the Dunlops. The small bike like the Pirelli. Michelin seems to work on all of them. Bridgestone seems to be the least popular but I have used them from day one. I think that any tire you use, the racer needs to know them and how to set the bike up for them.

Greg Richards raced a GSXR600 and used the Dunlops. He then switched to the Bridgestones because of pricing. It took him a while and some help from Thermosman to get the bike right and then he made progress. he was back to his times on the Bridgestones that he achieved on the Dunlops. Greg is pretty fast in my book, starting a race from pit out(in the rain) and making his way through the field to I believe the top spot.

Greg Melka uses the Michelin and he is dang quick. I am just trying the Michelin and as of yet I love them.

Contingency: Can be a major factor. Michelin and Bridgestone are the best paying. Depending on the class you run Bridgestone will pay more, and Michelin will pay deeper into the field.

Check out Mize(advertiser) on this site for comparisons. A Bridgestone set will cost (120/180) $354. Michelin is $380. I don't know how many laps the Michelin lasts but the Bridgestone set lasts 100 laps with lap times within 1- 1 1/2 seconds off my best. Of course this is on an Ultralight class bike.

[mwsportsimaging]

Any of the major tire brands can be made to work well. The key is support. Get to know the vendors that support your track, and make your decisions based on who you are the most comfortable working with.

[stickboy274]

I'm a fan of the Bridgestone's, but I'm a little biased since I've been on them for 12 years, and selling them for 10.

[red900]

Try a couple brands, they all feel different..

Pirelli is running a promo for Dragon Pro's through all the trackside vendors

$299  120/160
$309 120/180
$319 120/190

Great pricing for incredible tires...

Get to know your trackside vendors as was noted above, that is the most important thing....

[superspud]

Know the tires, then know your objective and what they pay.  In the end the logical combination will make sense. 

[superspud]

Try a couple brands, they all feel different..

Pirelli is running a promo for Dragon Pro's through all the trackside vendors

$299  120/160
$309 120/180
$319 120/190

Great pricing for incredible tires...

Get to know your trackside vendors as was noted above, that is the most important thing....

dustin,
why is pirelli pushing the dragon pro's vs the diablo supercorsa's?

[red900]

It costs money to constantly develop tires and make changes.  As you know the Pro's have been out a couple years now and the technology has finally been paid off so it costs less to manufacture the tire now.  With the state of the economy it only made sense to get a price point tire out there to compete with the other low cost race tire competition...

With the contingency payouts this year what better way to make your tires free.......

[MELK-MAN]

I'm new and also have been off the bike for several months due to financial situations so I am what you could call, "slow". I want to make my first race at Homestead in June so I am trying to get feedback on the new Michelins and other tires as well to see who likes what and why. I know that all of the tires nowadays are pretty amazing, and at my level all of them would work for me but prices seem to differ by a few bucks between the vendors. It also seems like a majority of people use Pirelli and Dunlop (at least that is what I have noticed) Anyways, whatever information anyone has will be helpful. Thanks for reading and replying.

I don't know much about the street versions, only full on race tires.. Anyway..What they said.. and ill add, if your slow (and im not saying you are, you did..) Contingency is not a factor for you. However, that being said, you WILL see more and more riders on Michelin this season. The shift has ALREADY started and some known fast guys are cashing in on the killer contingency program as well as the Barber Invite Michelin only race in October. And not just cause the riders are fast, but because the tires are THAT GOOD. Now I speak of the NEW Power 1 tires. I have put the past behind me so please do not ask me about the PR series tires (lol.. ).
As said in prior posts, ALL the brands are pretty darn good but Michelin put OVER 2 years development into the Power 1 tires and Michelin riders did not have the best product prior to the release earlier this season with the newer Dunlop and Pirelli tires that were out. The Michelin tires are priced VERY competitively, with B-stones the least expensive. I can not see how racers are paying nearly $500 for Dunlop UK tires, but they are .. Do some research on your own, ALL the recent race bike mags have had RAVE reviews of the Power 1 tires, then try a different brand a weekend or something till you find what floats yer boat.
My own personal opinion and the 3 nickles it is worth?? THEY FRIGGIN ROCK.

[DEVINC]

thanks for all of the info. so far everyone. it is very helpful

[R1Racer99]

It costs money to constantly develop tires and make changes.  As you know the Pro's have been out a couple years now and the technology has finally been paid off so it costs less to manufacture the tire now.  With the state of the economy it only made sense to get a price point tire out there to compete with the other low cost race tire competition...

With the contingency payouts this year what better way to make your tires free.......

Wouldn't it have more to do with the fact that the Pro's are their older model and not the best available anymore? It seems like Pirelli and (and Metzeler previously) always offer their older stuff at a cheaper cost. It's a great deal for a newer rider but the tires aren't as good as the new ones right?

I'm nowhere near the rider Melka is so my opinion might not be worth as much but I totally agree with him about the Power Ones, they are awesome.