Michelin Power Race meduim/soft

[rhoag]

Sorry if this has been asked before but, I have searched the forum and really didn't find the info I was looking for. I normally do 3 or 4 track days a year and have been wanting to try some different tires. I have been using corsa III's and they are ok. So I ran across a deal on a Power Race Medium Soft 190/50ZR 17. I am going to Blackhawk farms for a PTT trackday and will be in the intermediate group, so I started looking for a front tire and any info about these tires I could find. From what I have found I should run a power race 120/70ZR 17 meduim/soft front. But, I have also found alot of websites selling combo deals and they are selling 180/50ZR 17 with the 120/70ZR 17. I have also found posts saying they don't warm up fast and that you should run the rear at 22-25 PSI front at 30 PSI. The track is short and technical where you are not at high speeds alot like Road America and the air temp will probably be between 75 and 85. Should I just get the 120/70ZR17 meduim soft or should I just by a combo deal? What air pressure would you run in these conditions? Anyone with experience using these tires on the track I would appreciate your input.
Thanks

[Skeeter]

My last track day I ran the Michelin combo 180 PR4 rear and 120 PR2 front on my '06 R6. Actually, I think they were dual compound at least the rear was. Not sure on the front. I ran about 24 psi in the rear and 29 psi in the front. I had them on tire warmers all day. I had no issues hitting it hard on the first lap of the session. Never did slide them or have any " oh shit" moments. Track was JenningsGP. This was back in Feb, so the temps were cooler.

[Mountain Lion]

Set them at 21-22psi rear, 30-31 front. You should see a rise of around 4psi when hot.

You'll probably want the PR5 compound for the rear. PRC for the front. PR4 compound is for extreme heat..like 90+ and super hot surface temps.

[len914]

yes, the PRC is a great tire. I have a set waiting for my next trackday.

[rhoag]

I found this write up on gixxer.com and it created more questions. I have a regular power race series meduim/soft which according to this is different then the PR series? But, it says a front meduim/soft is a bit softer than a rear. I am leaning toward just getting the 120/70ZR 17 meduim/soft. The guy that made the post is a dealer so one would hope that he is knowledgable about these tires.

* Ok, this gets confusing so we’ll try and make it simple. Michelin makes two separate Power Race tire line ups. The Power Race and then the Power Race “PR” series. The “PR” series are made specifically for the North American market and feature more technologically advanced and different tread compounds and casing construction than “regular” Power Race. “PR” models are typically only available from authorized race tire distributors. Altogether, there are seven (7) different compounds. Standard Power Race: Fronts and rears in the following compounds: Soft, Medium-Soft and Medium. The front compounds are slightly softer than the rears. (Example: A Medium front/rear combo will have a front that is slightly softer than the rear even though they are both medium compounds.) To identify the compound look on the sidewall of the tire and the compound will be directly follow the words “Power Race”. We Stock: Front 110/70 soft, 120/60 soft, 120/70 soft(PR1), med-soft(PR2), medium. Rear 150/60 soft, 160/60 med-soft & medium, 180/55 soft(PR3) med-soft(PR4) medium, 190/55 med-soft & medium.
* Power Race “PR” Series – We stock the PR1 and PR4 combo and were able to get a special very special deal on PR1 & PR4 combos. We also have some other PR series tires such as the PR2(med-soft) front, PRC (soft triangulated) front and PR5(medium) rear, but they are rather expensive. Track Notes: Are you are running an SV-650 or new Ninja 650 twin? The PR1 with a Power Race 160/60 medium makes a great track day and race combo. Got one of the hot 600 in-line fours? The PR1 and PR4 combo sets give BIG dollar race tire performance at a smoking good price. If you take your bike on the street occasionally, or want a little harder compound for those really hot summer days, we suggest the Power Race medium front and rear combo. You 1000cc riders have a couple of different choices… The PR1 or PR2 front is an excellent front choice combined with a PR4 or power race medium rear. If you have a 6-inch rear wheel or just like the profile, the Power Race 190/55 rear is a phenomenal rear tire and personal favorite of the authors. We offer the 190/55 in med-soft and medium, with the medium being the best choice for most riders and conditions. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: The 180/55 and 190/55 Power Race & PR tires run 22 – 24 PSI. Do not run above or below this pressure! Power Race & PR fronts run 31-33 PSI.
* Who Should Buy This Tire: Track day riders and racers all compounds based on personal preference. Street riders who ride “near the limit” medium compound.

[r1_dav3]

im on my 6th power race medium soft front and use them for combined street and track. the R1 should come out with these imho they are perfect. the medium center transition to the soft side gives great feedback for trailing brakes. whats sliding on medium is backing in on the soft rubber.

i set about 30psi cold looking for a 5 degree difference between cold and hot

combine with a rear power race medium or pilot race hard or pilot race H2 you will have to be pretty good to unstick them

[marcaztls]

Good info here guys, especially on the tyre pressure front.

I'm about to try a set of Power Race mediums in a couple of weeks at Oulton Park track. I've got a 120/70 front and a 190/55 rear. I'll report what I find

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by rhoag

I found this write up on gixxer.com and it created more questions. I have a regular power race series meduim/soft which according to this is different then the PR series? But, it says a front meduim/soft is a bit softer than a rear. I am leaning toward just getting the 120/70ZR 17 meduim/soft. The guy that made the post is a dealer so one would hope that he is knowledgable about these tires.

* Ok, this gets confusing so we?ll try and make it simple. Michelin makes two separate Power Race tire line ups. The Power Race and then the Power Race ?PR? series. The ?PR? series are made specifically for the North American market and feature more technologically advanced and different tread compounds and casing construction than ?regular? Power Race. ?PR? models are typically only available from authorized race tire distributors. Altogether, there are seven (7) different compounds. Standard Power Race: Fronts and rears in the following compounds: Soft, Medium-Soft and Medium. The front compounds are slightly softer than the rears. (Example: A Medium front/rear combo will have a front that is slightly softer than the rear even though they are both medium compounds.) To identify the compound look on the sidewall of the tire and the compound will be directly follow the words ?Power Race?. We Stock: Front 110/70 soft, 120/60 soft, 120/70 soft(PR1), med-soft(PR2), medium. Rear 150/60 soft, 160/60 med-soft & medium, 180/55 soft(PR3) med-soft(PR4) medium, 190/55 med-soft & medium.
* Power Race ?PR? Series ? We stock the PR1 and PR4 combo and were able to get a special very special deal on PR1 & PR4 combos. We also have some other PR series tires such as the PR2(med-soft) front, PRC (soft triangulated) front and PR5(medium) rear, but they are rather expensive. Track Notes: Are you are running an SV-650 or new Ninja 650 twin? The PR1 with a Power Race 160/60 medium makes a great track day and race combo. Got one of the hot 600 in-line fours? The PR1 and PR4 combo sets give BIG dollar race tire performance at a smoking good price. If you take your bike on the street occasionally, or want a little harder compound for those really hot summer days, we suggest the Power Race medium front and rear combo. You 1000cc riders have a couple of different choices? The PR1 or PR2 front is an excellent front choice combined with a PR4 or power race medium rear. If you have a 6-inch rear wheel or just like the profile, the Power Race 190/55 rear is a phenomenal rear tire and personal favorite of the authors. We offer the 190/55 in med-soft and medium, with the medium being the best choice for most riders and conditions. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: The 180/55 and 190/55 Power Race & PR tires run 22 ? 24 PSI. Do not run above or below this pressure! Power Race & PR fronts run 31-33 PSI.
* Who Should Buy This Tire: Track day riders and racers all compounds based on personal preference. Street riders who ride ?near the limit? medium compound.

Great info. I decided to make it a sticky so others who run or want to run Michelin race rubber can view it.

[gixxerfrank]

i loved my dunlop 209 gp's! and the guys from dunlopracing.com made it so much better!

[rhoag]

I called and ordered the meduim/soft front. Now my only concern is heat cycles. I don't have tire warmers, because I don't do that many track days. The guy I talked to said they will last a weekend (I don't ride that hard) but, with out tire warmers take it easy the first 2-3 laps of each session. He also said to check them to make sure you can stick a thumb nail into them not getting to hard from heat cycles.

[Mountain Lion]

Without warmers the tires should be good for 3 intermediate track days, after that you're pushing it. I wouldn't suggest mixing them as street and track tires. IE do a track day, ride a 600 miles on the street, then go back out on the track. Get the CT for something like that.

I'll note again, the PR4 is for high temperature ranges which is why they're sold as cheap combo deals from a lot of online vendors. Will they work for what you're doing..yes, but they're probably going to tear or wear oddly, reducing life if your running in temps below 90 degrees. If you're an advanced rider or racer, avoid these deals unless you'll be riding in the temps for which they were designed.

[r1_dav3]

imho if you are out riding power race medium softs and need to be worried about things like heat cycles, you probably already have enough experience with destroying tyres so as to be able to make your own decisions about when a tyre is stuffed

[marcaztls]

Hey guys, anyone know what a Power Race C front tire is? I can't even find any info on Michelin's website about it. It's listed in all my tyre suppliers catalogues and I have 2 of the actual tyres sat in front of me now...

Thanks in advance

[Aron213 ti]

Originally Posted by marcaztls

Hey guys, anyone know what a Power Race C front tire is? I can't even find any info on Michelin's website about it. It's listed in all my tyre suppliers catalogues and I have 2 of the actual tyres sat in front of me now...

Thanks in advance

PRC is a front tire, taller profile than the older ones, you will have to adjust your suspension a little, but a damn good tire

[Aron213 ti]

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Great info. I decided to make it a sticky so others who run or want to run Michelin race rubber can view it.

but thats old info, I dont even think you can still get those tires in PR1,2...everything is PRC now, and the rears are now called PR-D,E and F


And PR-1's and 2's sucked ass

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by Aron213

but thats old info, I dont even think you can still get those tires in PR1,2...everything is PRC now, and the rears are now called PR-D,E and F


And PR-1's and 2's sucked ass

Actually, you still can. STG is selling them. Yes, I agree the PRC is a very premium front tire. I ran the PR2 {front} at my last track day and thought is did pretty well {at least for me}. Maybe, STG will be selling out of the older stock as the newer product comes in.

[marcaztls]

Originally Posted by Aron213

PRC is a front tire, taller profile than the older ones, you will have to adjust your suspension a little, but a damn good tire

Fantastic mate, thanks very much for the info

[Piper]

The 'C' front being taller gives great side grip when leaned over, and a very fast turn in. The 'C' front works beautifully with the 'E' 190/55 rear on the 07R1. Definitely recommended...

[marcaztls]

Originally Posted by Piper

The 'C' front being taller gives great side grip when leaned over, and a very fast turn in. The 'C' front works beautifully with the 'E' 190/55 rear on the 07R1. Definitely recommended...

Sounds good

Well I've been given brand new PRC front and soft rear to try on a trackday next Wednesday so I'll report back what I find

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by marcaztls

Sounds good

Well I've been given brand new PRC front and soft rear to try on a trackday next Wednesday so I'll report back what I find

For sure. Give us your feedback.