Michelin Power SuperMoto, Michelin Power Slick Ultimate, Michelin Power Cup Ultimate, Michelin Power Slick Evo, Michelin Power Cup Evo and Michelin Power SuperSport Evo encapsulate the innovations and technologies that allow Michelin to offer highly demanding users top levels of performance and safety. These ranges, which target experienced racers and amateurs looking to bring down their lap times, have been overhauled in depth.
They are the fruit of three years’ work in close collaboration with experts from Michelin Motorsport and notably incorporate Michelin’s racing expertise in the field of compounds. Their development called extensively on Michelin Motorsport’s input during the testing phase to which a broad panel of experienced riders also contributed. The challenge was to consolidate into four families of “very high performance” tyres the requirements of as many types of use in extreme conditions.
A complex undertaking when this means avoiding the pitfall of a tyre that is efficient but sometimes difficult to get used to. A tricky approach when it meant translating the feeling perceived on the machine into technical solutions able to enhance the confidence of the racer. Refined analysis of our understanding of usage and every facet of user impressions, as well as the lessons learned directly from racing, have made this new range possible.
The high expectations for this segment come together in the Michelin “Hypersport” and “Track” ranges. They bring not only very advanced technological expertise, butalso the objective of some of these tyres is to simplify their use and handling ability. For example, for the Michelin Power Slick Evo and Michelin Power Cup Evo ranges there is only one highly-versatile rubber compound that now replaces the three different versions necessary up to now. The innovative Michelin ACT (“Adaptive Casing Technology”) has made a significant contribution to this breakthrough.
To ensure a good level of service and advice, the Michelin Power Slick Ultimate and Michelin Power Cup Ultimate ranges are to be sold via a specialist distribution network by the Motorsport Department. Intended for top racers, these two ranges call for dedicated assistance and support. The other ranges, however, will be sold by dealers throughout the world.
For Michelin, sharing its passion for the track and racing with its consumers cannot be restricted to bringing out one or more ranges. The marketing of new ranges in 2015 will form part of a more global approach, aimed at assisting consumers before, during and after their experience on the track. Recommendations and advice, greater presence on tracks, work with professional racer coaches, performance measurement tools and Michelin Moto Challenge are all plus points to enable all racers to take their passion to the limits on the track alongside Michelin.
For track use
With its six brand-new ranges of tyres – the Michelin Power SuperMoto, Michelin Power Slick Ultimate, Michelin Power Cup Ultimate, Michelin Power Slick Evo, Michelin Power Cup Evo and Michelin Power SuperSport Evo – designed to meet the demands of all racers, from professionals taking part in races to
amateurs on “track days”, Michelin has transformed practically its entire track offering. It includes the latest leading-edge technology derived from racing and R&D to offer ever-increasing safety, top performance and riding pleasure.
Michelin Total Performance
With their added safety, performance and riding pleasure, these new ranges tangibly reflect the Michelin Total Performance strategy. This strategy consists in taking forward all the factors that influence tyre performance simultaneously, even those which some may believe to be contradictory. It is an approach that calls for a combination of advanced technologies, extensive testing capacity and appropriate production techniques.
Michelin has succeeded in rising to this challenge thanks to its unique know-how and an annual research and development budget of more than €600 million. In the world of two-wheel vehicles alone, Michelin’s development experts produce 450 prototypes and carry out some 12,000 hours of calculation work every year.
Michelin Power Slick
The Michelin Power Slick Ultimate range was developed for experienced riders looking to set quick lap times. It benefits directly from the latest racing-developed technological breakthroughs. Its grip on dry surfaces is exceptional and it is extremely easy to master.
The front tyre, which features a new construction and compound, ensures impressive, reassuring cornering precision, not to mention enhanced grip under braking. The rear provides maximum grip under acceleration in addition to outstanding longevity.
The range includes a choice of two versions for the front tyre (a medium/B compound and a harder/C alternative), plus three options for the rear tyre (soft/A-medium/B- hard/C) depending on track temperature and layout.
The particularly competitive MICHELIN Power Slick Ultimate range is perfectly suited to track racing. This season, for example, it is the tyre used by all competitors in the Spanish CEV championship, a fiercely-contested series which has seen Michelin enjoy an unbroken run of five titles since 2010. For the range’s launch, the size of the rear tyre is 200/55R17, the exclusive race fitment for 1,000cc bikes (front: 120/70R17).