Michelin Power 6 vs Road 6

[Time4another]

I have had my head set on putting Power 6 tyres on my Hayabusa. I was only ever deciding between the Power 6 and the Road 6. It has now come time to pull the trigger and order them and I have started to swither between them.

While I do a lot of longer rides I don't want to sacrifice outright grip, I have spun the rear up through my own ham fistedness on the original Bridgestones that the bike came with. Fighting this against the fact that I do occasionally end up out in the wet and cold.

Finding a lack of reviews on the Power 6 and have based most of my judgements off of the Power 5.

Would the Road 6 be enough? Is the Power 6 overkill?

[airsafari87]

In for the 55

[trickywoo]

Although only just released and therefore not many reviews the Metzler Roadtec 2 sounds just what you need.

In theory best of both worlds albeit not a Michelin.

[Caddyshack]

I am getting close to this choice too. I am rubbish in the wet so wonder if I should prioritise wet grip to help boost my confidence?

[black-k1]

I've used Road 6 on my H2 SX. I slightly prefer the RoadTec 01 SE, but it is only a slight preference. Both the Road 6 and the 01 SE have done Old Gits trips with mountain passes and have been pushed to some pretty serious lean angles. Both have enjoyed autobahn runs. Both have given full confidence in both wet and dry conditions. Both last over 7000 miles. There is no reason for any road rider to need more tyre than the Road 6 or to pay for tyres that last any less distance.

[SteveKTMer]

I had a Power 5 on my R9T and it was too soft for that and started to wear rapidly. On a Hayabusa I'd take a list of tyre shops with you on every trip with a rear Power 5 I can't remember what I used on my old Hayabusa, too long ago but the KTM 1290GT has M9RR in 190/55-17 and it's fantastic, very grippy for a road tyre and does at least last more than 2k miles so a trip to France can usually be accommodated.

[Time4another]

black-k1 said:

I've used Road 6 on my H2 SX. I slightly prefer the RoadTec 01 SE, but it is only a slight preference. Both the Road 6 and the 01 SE have done Old Gits trips with mountain passes and have been pushed to some pretty serious lean angles. Both have enjoyed autobahn runs. Both have given full confidence in both wet and dry conditions. Both last over 7000 miles. There is no reason for any road rider to need more tyre than the Road 6 or to pay for tyres that last any less distance.

This is the exact comment I've been trawling the Internet for. Thanks. Using the tyre in a way I plan to on a bike of similar size and weight.

Thanks for all the comments folks. Mind's made up. Road 6.

[black-k1]

Time4another said:

black-k1 said:

I've used Road 6 on my H2 SX. I slightly prefer the RoadTec 01 SE, but it is only a slight preference. Both the Road 6 and the 01 SE have done Old Gits trips with mountain passes and have been pushed to some pretty serious lean angles. Both have enjoyed autobahn runs. Both have given full confidence in both wet and dry conditions. Both last over 7000 miles. There is no reason for any road rider to need more tyre than the Road 6 or to pay for tyres that last any less distance.

This is the exact comment I've been trawling the Internet for. Thanks. Using the tyre in a way I plan to on a bike of similar size and weight.

Thanks for all the comments folks. Mind's made up. Road 6.

Let us know what you think after you've put a few miles on.

[trickywoo]

Tyres are a bit like a haircut. Get a decent one and you can’t really go wrong. If you don’t like it, get something different next time.

[Bob_Defly]

black-k1 said:

I've used Road 6 on my H2 SX. I slightly prefer the RoadTec 01 SE, but it is only a slight preference. Both the Road 6 and the 01 SE have done Old Gits trips with mountain passes and have been pushed to some pretty serious lean angles. Both have enjoyed autobahn runs. Both have given full confidence in both wet and dry conditions. Both last over 7000 miles. There is no reason for any road rider to need more tyre than the Road 6 or to pay for tyres that last any less distance.

Same. I put Road 6's on everything as they far exceed my ability to test them in any weather.

[Time4another]

Cam across the link below, just if anyone else is struggling for Road 6 reviews and stumbles across this thread. Interesting way of comparing 2 tyres over such a long distance on the same bike and on the same roads.

https://roaddirt.tv/dunlop-roadsmart-iv-vs-micheli...

[Biker 1]

Interesting topic.
My z900rs will need new boots soon. The OE Dunlops are horrible, particularly in the cold - traction control light comes on far too early.... I've read several articles about sport touring tyres v sticky sports stuff - there was a good comparison between Road 6 & Bridgestone S22. I'm erring on the side of Road 6 - any helpful nuggets from PH much appreciated!

[hiccy18]

Time4another said:

Cam across the link below, just if anyone else is struggling for Road 6 reviews and stumbles across this thread. Interesting way of comparing 2 tyres over such a long distance on the same bike and on the same roads.

https://roaddirt.tv/dunlop-roadsmart-iv-vs-micheli...

I'm not familiar with the source, but that reads like an advertorial for Dunlop. I especially liked the assertion that if you didn't agree with their conclusions it's because you're not an expert rider.

I'm open to the RSIV's, but there's a lot of reviews from many different sources championing the Road 6 and 01SE's, not to mention many riders on this forum who have experience of them.

[SteveKTMer]

hiccy18 said:

Time4another said:

Cam across the link below, just if anyone else is struggling for Road 6 reviews and stumbles across this thread. Interesting way of comparing 2 tyres over such a long distance on the same bike and on the same roads.

https://roaddirt.tv/dunlop-roadsmart-iv-vs-micheli...

I'm not familiar with the source, but that reads like an advertorial for Dunlop. I especially liked the assertion that if you didn't agree with their conclusions it's because you're not an expert rider.

I'm open to the RSIV's, but there's a lot of reviews from many different sources championing the Road 6 and 01SE's, not to mention many riders on this forum who have experience of them.

The Angel GT they refer to was also quite an old tyre from 2012 or 2013 I think, and discontinued some time ago and replaced with the Angel GT 2. They GT was the original fitment on the KTM 1290 GT and it was a relatively poor tyre in my experience, I was glad to get them off, but given its age, probably par for the course back then.

I suspect they might be objecting to the slight softness that Michelin tyres seem to have. They have a sort of soft, compliant feel to them which is very good at inspiring confidence and helps you feel their wet grip would be very high, but it does mean they don't turn quite as quickly as other tyres. I don't think it's a fault, it's just a characteristic of Michelin bike tyres in general, every one I've tried has had this characteristic. Given they are marketed as a sports/touring tyre this not a bad thing and it's not fair to ark them down for it.

I suspect if they had tested my favourite tyre, the M9RR, they might have found the Dunlop wanting in several areas

[TuonoPants]

I went with Road 6 for my Street Triple as they are better suited to everyday conditions and my riding ability (my tyres have chicken strips and I am unlikely to do any tack days) and they are definately better that the track focused tyres that the bike came on were was probably chosen as optimal for for the track based reviews. Same goes for the low gearing.

Would the Road 6 GT be a better choice for the Hyabusa?

[black-k1]

TuonoPants said:

I went with Road 6 for my Street Triple as they are better suited to everyday conditions and my riding ability (my tyres have chicken strips and I am unlikely to do any tack days) and they are definately better that the track focused tyres that the bike came on were was probably chosen as optimal for for the track based reviews. Same goes for the low gearing.

Would the Road 6 GT be a better choice for the Hyabusa?

The GT wasn't recommended for my H2 SX which is about the same weight as the 'Busa

[hiccy18]

Yeah, I swithered about it for my R1200RS but I think they're aimed at heavier bikes.

[bogie]

black-k1 said:

The GT wasn't recommended for my H2 SX which is about the same weight as the 'Busa

I dont think a Busa is heavy enough to need the GT ...my Triumph Trophy is about 300kg and has worn Road 4 GT and now Road 6 GT, cant fault them, get 7k miles out a rear, another 500 to 1000 miles out of the front.