Welcome to Island Racing Services! Sales and Service of Michelin Motorcycle Tires, Road Racing and High Performance

THE RADIAL LEADER

There's no question Michelin is the leader when it comes to radial-tire technology for motorcycles. Most of the so-called "innovations" claimed by other brands were pioneered by Michelin long ago. Endless-belt construction? Michelin invented it in 1987. Kevlar belts? Michelin was first. 0-degree belt? Again, Michelin set the pace while everyone else followed. With the C3M process of tire construction Michelin again has "A better way forward". In fact, since Michelin introduced the first true radials for motorcycles in 1984, no one manufacturer has done more to refine and improve motorcycle radials than Michelin.

TIRE TYPES

POWER CUP DOT RACE TIRES

The Power Cup series of tires is the latest offering from Michelin for the Road Racing, Sportbike and Track-Day community. The Power Cup series combines 2CT (Two Compound Technology), CDT (Competition Design Technology), SCT (Synthetic Component Technology) and NST (Near Slick Technology) to Michelins latest High Performance Family.

ROADRACING SLICKS and RAIN TIRES

SC series radial tires:

Michelin Radial Power Slick tires are for race track use ONLY! These tires are the leading edge in motorcycle tire development. Roadracing slicks come in many carcass constructions and compound types. There are combinations for different track surfaces, tire generated temperatures and ambiant temperatures. However most Michelin slicks operate over a wide range of these conditions.

WHY DO SLICKS HAVE MORE TRACTION ?

Well the first thing to consider is, where does traction come from? Traction is a result of the rubber of the tire coming into contact with the surface you are riding on. In other words, the more rubber on the ground the more traction you have.

P series radial tires:

Michelin Radial Power Rain tires are for race track use ONLY! These tires are for use only under wet conditions. Using these tires under dry conditions will cause a tire failure. A rain tire carcass is designed to create higher temperatures than a carcass that is designed for use under generally dry conditions. The rubber compounds are designed to work at lower operating temperatures than a compound designed for dry conditions. Now, you might wonder why you want a carcass that generates more heat than normal and a rubber compound that operates at lower temperature than normal. The reason actually is very simple, the tire is water cooled!

WHY DO RAIN TIRES HAVE SO MANY GROOVES ?

In the previous section we just finished telling you that the more rubber on the ground the more traction you would have. That did not change, the grooves in the tire are for channeling the water out of the way of the rubber so it can come into contact with the surface you are riding on.