Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Pilot Power 2CT vs Michelin Road 5 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 0 + 1 road tests and 453 + 24 owner reviews. How we score

Road 5 is ahead, 75–68

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Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
Tire AMichelin

Pilot Power 2CT

Summer

± 8

Tests – · none yet Owners 68 · 453 reviews

“Less than 200 miles on this brand new pilot power 2ct, and I got a flat. A goddamn staple thing. What do?”

Michelin Road 5
Tire BMichelin

Road 5

Summer

± 8

Tests 67 · 1 test Owners 79 · 24 reviews

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 71

    Dry

    Road 5 +1
    72
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Power 2CTRoad 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 70 (est.)67
    Reviews found online7279

    Pilot Power 2CT: 60% × 69.8 (est.) + 40% × 72.1 = 71

    Road 5: 60% × 67.4 + 40% × 78.7 = 72

    No road tests of dry for Pilot Power 2CT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).

  2. 67

    Wet

    Road 5 +13
    80
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Power 2CTRoad 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 68 (est.)≈ 78 (est.)
    Reviews found online6683

    Pilot Power 2CT: 60% × 68 (est.) + 40% × 65.8 = 67

    Road 5: 60% × 77.6 (est.) + 40% × 83.1 = 80

    No road tests of wet for Pilot Power 2CT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

    No road tests of wet for Road 5. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

  3. 70

    Comfort

    Road 5 +6
    76
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Power 2CTRoad 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 69 (est.)≈ 71 (est.)
    Reviews found online7080

    Pilot Power 2CT: 40% × 69.3 (est.) + 60% × 70 = 70

    Road 5: 40% × 71.1 (est.) + 60% × 79.8 = 76

    No road tests of comfort for Pilot Power 2CT or Road 5. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.

  4. 66

    Treadwear

    Road 5 +6
    72
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Power 2CTRoad 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 66 (est.)≈ 69 (est.)
    Reviews found online6675

    Pilot Power 2CT: 60% × 65.9 (est.) + 40% × 65.5 = 66

    Road 5: 60% × 69.3 (est.) + 40% × 75.2 = 72

    No road tests of treadwear for Pilot Power 2CT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).

    No road tests of treadwear for Road 5. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).

  5. 63

    Handling (owners)

    Road 5 +14
    77
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Power 2CTRoad 5
    Reviews found online6377
Scores at a glance
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT vs Michelin Road 5: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Pilot Power 2CTMichelin Road 5
Relative Score 68 75
Dry 71 72
Wet 67 80
Comfort 70 76
Treadwear 66 72
Handling (owners) 63 77

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
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Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
± 8

Pilot Power 2CT

± 8

Road 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
All owner themes in the Pilot Power 2CT review

Tire B Road 5

Pros

  • Class-leading wet weather grip and rider confidence
  • Excellent tread life and durability for touring applications
  • Dual-compound construction provides a balance of stability and cornering grip

Cons

  • High susceptibility to punctures from road debris
  • Soft carcass construction can be prone to structural damage from impacts
  • Some users report a lack of feedback compared to dedicated sport tires
All owner themes in the Road 5 review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Michelin Pilot Power 2CT

Positive

Riders generally view the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT as a proven, sticky sport tire offering dependable cornering grip and solid wet-weather performance at an attractive price point. While praised for street confidence and light track use, many note that modern sport-touring tires offer better tread life for heavy commuting or straight-line highway riding.

fjrforum.com ·2006-10-29

“I'm on my third set of Pilot Powers on my FZ1. The first two sets were slightly rough on the sides as they wore down. This third set grips just as well in the twisties but is 'pilling' much more heavily, on the sides of the tires. Since my riding style has not changed, the side compound has to be softer for this to happen. The center of the tire is still wearing smooth. B)”

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.”

cbrforum.com

“Quote: Originally Posted by boredandstroked Its fine. I've ridden pilot sport/pilot power, power/2ct and 2ct/pure combos in the past. I also ride aggressively with canyon runs and freeway exchanges you can put your knee down on. The profile is the least of your worries as it changes as the tire wears out anyways. Tires are expensive as it is. When I bought my bike about 6 months ago, the rear tire was bald from the center - I figure due to "burn-outs". Front was good. There were Dunlops. So I changed the rear tire to Michelin 2CT and left the front as it was in good (about 80% new) condition. I ride hills, freeways, etc. I have not felt anything different. I'm still a noob, so may not be as aggressive as some of you guys, but I do tend to ride a little on aggressive side. Just my 2 cents. I'll probably get the front in another 3-5months, and go with the Michelins (2CT if available), otherwise...who knows...”

Top themes
#cornering grip#tire longevity#track day usage#dual-compound design#price and value#wet and cold performance#tire mixing setups

Based on 51 community posts

Tire B

Michelin Road 5

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Pilot Power 2CT B · Michelin Road 5
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typeMotorcycleMotorcycle

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Pilot Power 2CT

Michelin Road 5

Winner: Michelin Road 5 — better handling, wet and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Road 5 scores 77 vs 63 on handling.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Road 5 scores 80 vs 67 on wet.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Road 5 scores 76 vs 70 on comfort.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Road 5 scores 72 vs 66 on treadwear.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
Tire B · Michelin Road 5

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Pilot Power 2CT or Road 5?

Which is better in the wet, Pilot Power 2CT or Road 5?

Michelin Road 5, 80 vs 67 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Pilot Power 2CT or Road 5?

Neither, by our numbers: 71 vs 72 on the dry score, within 3 points.

Which is more comfortable, Pilot Power 2CT or Road 5?

Michelin Road 5, 76 vs 70 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Pilot Power 2CT or Road 5?

Michelin Road 5, 72 vs 66 on our treadwear score.

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.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology