Tests – · none yet Owners 67 · 450 reviews
“Less than 200 miles on this brand new pilot power 2ct, and I got a flat. A goddamn staple thing. What do?”
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT vs Michelin Power 5 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Power 5 leads, 71–67 Narrow edge
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Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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69
Dry
Power 5 +372Why this score
Source Pilot Power 2CT Power 5 Reviews found online 70 75 -
66
Wet
Power 5 +874Why this score
Source Pilot Power 2CT Power 5 Reviews found online 65 76 -
70
Comfort
Power 5 +272Why this score
Source Pilot Power 2CT Power 5 Reviews found online 70 75 -
65
Treadwear
Power 5 +166Why this score
Source Pilot Power 2CT Power 5 Reviews found online 65 66 -
65
Handling
Power 5 +1075Why this score
Source Pilot Power 2CT Power 5 Reviews found online 65 75
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Power 2CT | Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 67 | 71 |
| Dry | 69 | 72 |
| Wet | 66 | 74 |
| Comfort | 70 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 66 |
| Handling | 65 | 75 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
67
/ 100
Pilot Power 2CT
71
/ 100
Power 5
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Pilot Power 2CT
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and high-angle cornering capability
- Fast warm-up time from cold conditions
- Excellent front-end feedback and planted feel
Cons
- Abrupt or non-progressive transition point when reaching the limit of grip
- Rear tire can kick out or lose communication under heavy acceleration
- Some riders experience reduced confidence or slickness in wet conditions
Tire B Power 5
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and stability in standing water
- Rapid warm-up times, even in cooler ambient temperatures
- Agile handling and predictable cornering behavior on public roads
Cons
- Tendency for the rear tire to square off prematurely
- Inconsistent performance and grip degradation as the tire reaches the end of its life
- Lack of confidence at maximum lean angles compared to dedicated track tires
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Mixed
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
The Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is a long-standing, budget-friendly sport tire that generates mixed community opinions. While many riders appreciate their affordability, decent wet grip, and historical popularity, others note they are an older design compared to modern alternatives like the Road 5 or Q3, with some users reporting sliding or feeling they are too aggressive for standard street use.
r/xsr900
·1 upvote ·2025-02-16
“I have Pilot Power 2CT. Honestly, wish I had gotten the Road 5’s (at the time). My tires are stickier than I personally need. Unless you’re going full lean angle on the street, I think they’re a bit aggressive IMO.”
r/MT09
·2 upvotes ·2025-11-01
“Mix setup — Road 6 front / Power 2CT rear on MT-09 SP. What do you guys think? Hey guys, I’d like to hear your opinion. I’ve got an MT-09 SP, bought it in May 2025, and I’ve already worn out the stock Bridgestone S23 tires over the season. Now I’ve got a mix setup — Michelin Road 6 on the front and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT on the rear (got them as a gift). What do you think — is that a decent combo? Any pros/cons I should know about? The weather’s still nice here, so I’m planning to keep riding until the roads get too wet with autumn rain. 🌧️🏍️”
r/Trackdays
·3 upvotes ·2021-03-27
“Pilot Power 2CT I've got my first track day of the season coming up and it's going to be the first time on track with my new to me RC51. It currently has a pair of Pilot Power 2CTs on it with a lot of life still left in them. What are realistic expectations for these tires on track? I've done 3 track days so far, 2 of which were on Roadsmart 3s (I took my daily) and in the later sessions I was finding the limit of the rear tire.”
Top themes
#Longevity and Mileage#Price and Affordability#Track Day Performance#Wet and Cold Grip#Alternative Comparisons#Aging Tire Technology
Based on 15 community posts
Tire B
Michelin Power 5
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Power 2CT | B · Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
67
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
71
/ 100
Michelin Power 5
Winner: Michelin Power 5 — better handling, wet and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Power 5 scores 75 vs 65 on handling.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Power 5 scores 74 vs 66 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Power 5 scores 72 vs 69 on dry.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
Tire B · Michelin Power 5
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How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.