Daily Michelin power RS ​​tire test

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Further investigation of a daily tire test

Testing sports tires on a dry track at the ideal temperature is great fun, but in real life not everything is always so rosy. Moreover, as you have noticed, in this month of February, the driving conditions are no longer idyllic.. Cold, rain, when it’s not snow, you really have to be motivated, or obliged, to take your motorcycle. In these unfavorable conditions, how does the latest athlete Bibendum fare??

The Michelin Power RS ​​tested daily

Big gap !

On paper, the concern is appropriate, because the Power RS ​​stands alone between the Pilot Road 4 (very soon 5) and the Power cup Evo, where all the other manufacturers offer two tires: S21 and RS 10 at Bridgestone, Sport attack 3 and Raceattack comp end at Conti, Sportsmart 2 Max and Sporsmart TT at Dunlop, Sportec M 7 RR and Racetec RR K3 at Metzeler, finally Diablo Rosso 3 and Rosso Corsa at Pirelli. In wanting to play versatility, the risk is to lose excellence, in one area or another. So really capable of driving at low temperature and playing smart on an overheated track, the Power RS?

Grand Ecart: the daily power RS ​​replaces the Pilot Power 3 and the Power super sport.

Confidence

When I say that you have to be motivated to go out on a motorcycle in this weather, it is even more true at home, because the access to the garage is such a quagmire that I have difficulty going up the slope. My 2003 Ducati Multistrada, powered by Power RS, slips, skates, goes across, but ends up going up the slope that leads to the tar. To cover these first 20 meters, it is more of a trail, or even an enduro that I would need! When I finally arrive on the asphalt, the rain falls heavily and I console myself by thinking that the tires will not be long before being washed.

Further investigation: the Michelin power RS ​​on a daily basis

I start the first roundabout with caution, then 500 meters further, I attack a series of three "locks", not to say "chicanes", intended to slow down too fast drivers. The outside temperature is around 5 ° and the tires are as cold as asphalt. However, on the handlebars, confidence reigns. The setting in mode is at the very least fast. Of course, the least we can say is that I am not attacking, but I am riding calmly in the pouring rain. A new tight roundabout arrives and there I savor the handling and precision of the Power RS, which allows me to turn at good speed, without worrying about the grip. I have hardly more than a kilometer in the wheels and no element of objective comparison, but already, I concentrate on my trajectories, forgetting the stress of a wet pavement..

However, the twin two valves is not a model of smoothness at low revs and low speed. He bangs willingly and does not like to evolve in the bottom of the tachometer, under penalty of claiming assistance from the clutch. In fact, to get out of this delicate range, I wind the following roundabouts at a speed sufficient not to disengage. This forces me to put more angle, but the Power RS ​​lends itself to the game, without flinching. This is undoubtedly the result of a large central rubber zone more loaded with silica (68% in front and 54% behind) which provides good grip in cold and wet conditions..

Distribution of rubber mixtures

The low notching rate could give rise to fear of a weakness in this area, but the judicious positioning of the grooves ensures good drainage of water on the first angle sockets..

Michelin power RS: the positioning of the sculptures

Stable

When accelerating, the grip is excellent. With the Termignoni Line and the calculator going well, the demodue torque is quite devastating, especially in the rain. That doesn’t bother the Power RS ​​in the slightest, designed to handle a lot more horsepower. Even in the pouring rain, it lifts the front wheel under acceleration without flinching. When braking, even without ABS, you can pull the lever hard without fear. We also remember that Bibendum praised his abilities in this area, facing the Pilot Power 3, yet not one-armed! Strengthened capacities precisely because of low temperatures.

Power RS ​​performance vs. the old range

Conclusion

So happy the tester? Yes, without a doubt, even with rotten roads and the helmet full of fog, we ride at a good pace, without worrying about the grip. Here again, no comparison is possible, just good sensations, thanks to a manoeuvrable, precise tire which gives information really well to the pilot. The front is catchy, which reassures and the rear just as much, which allows to turn the handle copiously, without a second thought. It is therefore not on this part of the spectrum that Michelin has compromised. It is undoubtedly the fastest riders who will feel them on the track, in the very high end of the spectrum. There, it will probably have more difficulty following the best of its more pistarde-oriented competitors..

Because let’s not forget, the Power RS ​​is a road hypersport, which does very well on the track! To verify this, we even did two track sessions at Le Vigeant with the Multistrada. It’s not worth an Aprilia RSV4 at Losail, but when it comes to tires, the RS behaved perfectly! For 99% of users, it is therefore satisfaction guaranteed. The Power RS ​​perfectly fulfills its specifications, with a very broad spectrum of use. Bet paid, you can go without fear!

the Michelin power RS ​​on a daily basis

Strong points

  • Quick start
  • Versatility
  • Good cold resistance
  • Good feedback

Weak points

  • Difficult to find for a seasoned biker !

Test conditions

  • Itinerary: small and varied roads, town, circuit
  • Motorcycle mileage: 35,000 km
  • Encountered problem : –

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