Michelin releases Road 6 sport-touring tire

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Michelin North America Inc. has released the Road 6, a motorcycle sport-touring tire featuring improved wet grip, longevity and a fresh look compared to its predecessor, the Road 5.

The Michelin Road 6 is designed to improve performance for roadster, trail, sport and GT motorcycles, the company said, with sizes available in the standard Michelin Road range, as well as the Michelin Road 6 GT tire range for larger, heavier touring motorcycles.

The Michelin research and development team improved upon the Road 5, which was released in 2018, leveraging two decades of experience building tires in the motorcycle touring segment.

The Road 6 utilizes new silica technology tread compounds and a new tread pattern featuring Michelin Water Evergrip Technology. Internal tests conducted in Fontange, France, found the Road 6 has 15 percent more grip than its predecessor in wet conditions.

Michelin said the Road 6 delivers 10 percent longer tread life compared with the Road 5.

The Road 6 tread pattern was optimized for void ratio to improve overall- and wet-grip without compromising cornering, "so riders have constant and accurate feedback from their tires," the company said.

"Michelin X-Sipe Technology combined with Water Evergrip Technology ensures the tire has consistent grip throughout conditions and maintains its grip even as the tire wears—giving riders confidence in the tire from the first mile to the last mile," the company said. "There are also new groove and sipe angles with longer edges that cut through water film and maintain road grip."

Michelin utilized its Silica Rain Technology to improve the tire's grip in colder conditions and on wet roads. New for the Road 6 tire ranges, the company noted, is Michelin 2CT+ Technology applied for the first time to the front tire to give riders more stability entering corners.

The Road 6 features Amplified Density Technology at its core, a highly dense, rigid tire casing that gives riders "excellent" feedback and handling. Aramid tread plies resist centrifugal growth at speed, reduce weight and provide stability, the company said.

Michelin's Premium Touch Technology was used in the design of the Road 6 sidewalls, a feature originating from ultra-high-performance tires for sportscars.

"This exclusive technology uses micro geometry on the sidewalls to create texture, which in-turn allows it to modulate contrast and create shades of gray to highlight the tire markings and give an attractive finish," Michelin said.

The new tire range includes six front and eight rear sizes, while the GT tire range is available in one front and three rear sizes.

Here's a look at the evolution of the "Road" line:

2002: Michelin Pilot Road—the first road tire range;

2007: Michelin Pilot Road 2—the first road tire range featuring 2CT Technology;

2011: Michelin Pilot Road 3—the first road tire range featuring sipes;

2014: Michelin Pilot Road 4—the first road tire range with a dedicated GT version;

2018: Michelin Road 5—the first road tire range using Water Evergrip Technology; and

2022: Michelin Road 6—the first road tire range using 2CT+ Technology.