1608 RF final

What are the Michelin Power Cup Evo’s?
The Power Cup Evo is a Supersport and Superstock treaded
race tyre (95% track 5% road), and although road legal, it is very
much at home on circuit. Michelin have simplified the range of
compounds, reducing it from three options to just one, which has
a much wider operating range. The Power Cup Evo has a new
compound designed to work in a wide operating temperature
window so there’s no need to produce soft, medium and hard
compounds.
The Power Cup Evo was produced to rival the Bridgestone
RS10, Dunlop D211 GP Racer, Metzeler Racetec RR K3 and
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP.
Built using Michelin’s new ‘Adaptive Casing Technology’, the
first ply is laid at 70° and the second at 90°, which allows the
crown of the tyre to flex, which is intended to give increased
straight-line stability and maintain rigidity on the edges to cope
with cornering stresses.
The Power Cup Evo is the treaded version of the Power Slick
Evo we used to great effect in the 24-hour and 4-hour races. It
doesn’t have quite the same racy profile as the slick, which means
it doesn’t turn in as quick but it does have the same durable
compound, which handles multiple heat cycles better than a
racing slick so wont be so reliant on tyre warmers.
What are they like?
The new Power Cup Evo definitely feels a lot better than the
previous generation tyre. Both the front and rear offered way more
grip, which in turn led to me having lots more confidence. Even on
the newly surfaced, dusty Kyalami circuit, the tyres offered great
agility and feel, in and out of corners. There is a bit of movement
at the front when turning in initially, but that is a trademark of
Michelin tyres. It’s a feeling that does unsettle you at first but, once
you realize it happens often without breaking traction you soon
adjust to the sensation.
The bike I used for the test was a 2011 Honda CBR1000RR,
very kindly leant to us by Fire-It-Up, the motorcycle dealership
out in Fourways. I chose this bike as it has no traction control
and other aids to help the tyres. It is a true tyre test and not an
electronic test.
The Power Cup Evos complimented the CBR1000’s glittering
handling capabilities perfectly, getting up to temperature quickly
and allowing me to push the Honda hard through the corners. The
more I got to terms with the new track layout the harder I pushed.
The tyres were competently handling all the punishment being
thrown at them.
2CT distribution on front
2CT distribution on rear
I accelerated hard coming out of the slow 2nd gear turns and
with no traction control to help out, the rear tyre did give a bit of
movement. Nothing uncontrollable though, and I think it was also
down to lack of setup on the rear shock.
After the 5th lap I could feel that the tyres were heating up
and they were starting to slide around a lot more. We had set the
tyre pressures harder than normal before I went out and I could
feel that they were now a bit too hard and this was causing more
movement. Never the less, they still offered good amounts of grip
and, at no stage did they have me leaving unwanted marks in my
nice new undies I had just purchased a few days before.
Overall, I was impressed with the new Power Cup Evos.
Michelin have managed to improve on the previous tyre, and at
the end of the day that’s what it’s all about. I’m sure there will be
even more improvements coming to their track/road tyre range
soon with all the info gained for the MotoGP boys.
The new Power Cup Evo tyres are available at your local
motorcycle dealer or tyre fitment centre for around R5200ex vat
per set. There is also a more road-focused option available – The
Power SuperSport Evo, which is a 50% road and 50% track
based tyre. That retails for around R4650ex vat per set.
Recommended pressures when cold: 2.1 front 1.7 rear.
For nearest Michelin stockist you can call Autocycle Centre on
011 879 6470.
22 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE AUGUST 2016