The Michelin Pilot Road 5 tire is a great option for those with sport or sporty bikes looking for a tire suitable for daily commuting and weekend spirited riding.
Available in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from 150 to 190 in rear tire width and 17-inch rim sizes, this tire is a great fit for middleweight to heavyweight sport bikes.
The Michelin Pilot Road 5 tire boasts a lot of improvements over its predecessor, the Pilot Road 4, which was already a favorite among riders.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Is this the best touring tire for you? Let’s find out!
Pilot Road 5
Features
- Patented Michelin XST Evo siping design
- Patented ACT+ casing technology
- 2CT dual compound front tire composition
- 2CT+ dual compound rear tire composition
Improvements in Dry Grip
One main improvement to the Michelin Pilot Road 5 tire is its dry grip. The tire features Michelin’s Adaptive Casing Technology, which keeps the body plies thin across the face of the tread but much thicker out in the sidewall.
This provides a confident feel in corners and lots of feedback. Additionally, the rear tires now use a 2CT+ compound with a base layer of stiffer rubber across the entire face of the tread, which provides stiffness to the tire and helps increase cornering confidence.
Finally, the reduced siping on the shoulders of the tire means more rubber on the road and better cornering grip in dry weather.
Improvements in Wet Grip
Michelin has also made significant improvements to the wet grip of the Pilot Road 5 touring tire. They have done this by reducing the siping on the shoulders of the tire, which means more rubber on the road and better cornering grip in dry weather.
They have also introduced XST Evo Siping, which features trapezoidal siping that increases the siping volume, allowing the tire to suck up and eject more water as it rolls along.
Finally, the micro siping on the sides of the tread increases the volume of water the tire can grab and eject, further improving its wet weather performance.
Tire Sizing
Here’s a sample table for Michelin Road 5 front and rear tires with a customer star rating:
| Tire Size | Front/Rear | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 120/60ZR-17 | Front | ★★★★★ |
| 120/70ZR-17 | Front | ★★★★☆ |
| 180/55ZR-17 | Rear | ★★★★★ |
| 190/50ZR17 | Rear | ★★★★☆ |
| 190/55ZR-17 | Rear | ★★★★★ |
It is important to ensure that the tire size is compatible with your bike vehicle before making a purchase.
My Likes and Dislikes
I have been using the Michelin Road 5 tires for over 6,000 miles and have found them to be well bedded in from the start.
Unlike other tires, the Michelin Road 5 tires felt great in the wet and had better grip than the previous Bridgestones.
I did notice some squaring off due to heavy motorway miles, but the life left on the tires is nearly down to the wear bar.
Performance
The dual compound down the middle of the tire is perfect for everyday commuting, while the slick edge can help in warmer weather. The tires instill a lot of confidence in wet conditions, and I never had a slip around a corner on the tarmac.
Features and Benefits
| Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Dual compound | Good for everyday commuting |
| Slick edge | Helps in warmer weather |
| All-weather performance | Great grip in wet and dry conditions |
| Long-lasting | No need to swap out on long trips |
| Funky styling | Different from other tires |
Conclusion
Overall, the Michelin Road 5 tires are an excellent choice for those of you who are looking for a long-lasting tire with great performance in both wet and dry conditions.
I would highly recommend the Michelin Road 5 tires to anyone looking for a daily commuter tire that can handle all types of weather.
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