At this point, because the tires are so new, I haven't come anywhere close to leaning the bike to anything more than very shallow beginning rider angles. But once past that squirminess that I feel on the initial turn-in, the tires do then give a feeling like they're providing good grip levels and more compliance than the Pirellis. This may be due to the softer section of the dual-compound tread that Michelin says makes up the sides of the tires.

Again, this is all very preliminary, and, as often happens, I'm hyper-sensitive to tire feel at this stage of the game, due to both my nervousness about new tires and the mold release problem and to my desire to compare the tires as quickly as possible to the Pirellis while they're still fresh in my mind.

So, the bottom line for my 0-100 mile impression is that the Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires so far seem to provide three different types of feedback: slightly more compliance or plushness when upright, albeit with what feels like some squirm and softness; a slightly unsettling feeling during the initial turn-in, where the tires feel slightly "greasy"; and the potential for good feel and control and grip when the bike is leaned over.

I'm hoping and anticipating that this will change dramatically -- for the better -- as the tires get scrubbed in, so stay tuned.

If you have any experience with these tires you'd like to share, or if you have some insight on motorcycle tires or tips for tire break-in, please send it to us at and I'll add it to the comments below.

Pirelli Diablo front tire.

Changing tires with the No-Mar tire changer.

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Michelin Pilot Road 2 - Background According to Michelin,the Pilot Road 2 was intended to create a sport touring tire that maximized wear while providing optimum grip. Michelin says they used their "2CT" (Two-Compound Technology), developed in MotoGP, to combine different types of rubber on the tread to optimize performance in each specific zone.

Michelin claims that "this technology provides excellent traction on wet roads owing to the soft rubber on the shoulders and less wear at the tread center where the rubber is more resistant. As a result, the new Michelin Pilot Road 2 combines qualities that were previously thought to be mutually exclusive. Its excellent grip on wet roads ensures a safe ride while its remarkable wear-resistance offers unprecedented longevity."

Michelin organized a test of the Pilot Road 2 tires, which was conducted by CERM (Centre d’Essais Routiers Mécaniques)in 2006. They claim that the test demonstrated that the Michelin Pilot Road 2 effectively combines the two qualities (CERM is an independent organization that conducts tests and surveys for the automobile and motorcycle industries).

The Michelin Pilot Road 2 was tested against six competing brands and, according to Michelin, the Michelin Pilot Road 2 outperformed the other tires in wet grip and wear resistance. The Suzuki Bandit 1200 motorcycles fitted with Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires "scored the fastest times on a wet track and demonstrated superior longevity to the other tires" (size 120/70 ZR 17 front and 180/55 ZR 17 rear).

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