The Paris based Le Salon de la Moto exhibition recently played host to a global premier of two brand new tyres from Michelin.
With the growth in popularity of Maxi Scooters across Europe, the French tyre giant has decided to produce two motorcycle inspired tyres for these kinds of machines – the Pilot Road 4 Scooter and Pilot Power 3 Scooter.
The two tyres may share a name and tread pattern with their motorcycle counterparts, but in terms of construction they are quite different, being designed specifically for use on scooters.
“Both of the two ranges are derived from our bike products, however their construction is entirely different,” elaborates Tommy Maussin, marketing director Europe for Michelin’s 2 Wheel Product Line. “These differences were necessary due to the size and weight differences of the machines the tyres are fitted to, and the rim sizes used. While the motorcycle tyres are a 17-inch size, the Pilot Road 4 Scooter and Pilot Power 3 Scooter are 15-inch products intended for fitment on maxi scooters, machines with engines of around 400cc or more.” To highlight the difference between the similarly-named bike and scooter tyres, Maussin looks back on the effort required when changing from 16.5-inch to 17-inch racing tyres. “That was a massive change in set-up, and the gulf between 15-inch and 17-inch is even wider. You could say that the Pilot Road 4 Scooter and Pilot Power 3 Scooter were more inspired from motorcycle tyres rather than adapted from them.”
A key feature of the Pilot Road 4 is the enhanced wet grip thanks to Michelin’s siped tread pattern. This has made the sport touring tyre very popular in the UK, and it delivers clear benefits. The new Pilot Road 4 Scooter stops a metre before the Pilot Power 3 Scooter under testing in the wet. It also uses Michelin’s 2CT technology on both front and rear, for increased durability and good cornering grip.
The Pilot Power 3 Scooter is the sportier of the two tyres, focused on performance in dry conditions. It also benefits from 2CT technology, and a progressive tread pattern which becomes slick as the rider leans over on to the shoulder, for added grip an higher angles of lean.
Maussin stated that European demand for radial scooter tyres has grown at an average rate of ten per cent per annum since 2007. Michelin currently sells around 135,000 scooter tyres a year in Europe. “That’s a lot when you consider that when Yamaha first introduced the TMAX in 2001, the European market for maxi scooter tyres was zero,” he adds. “European sales of the TMAX now lie somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 units a year, and numerous other manufacturers are also selling similar products here.”
The Pilot Road 4 Scooter is expected to arrive in February in Europe, with a front 120/70 R 15 M/C 56H and rear 160/60 R 15 M/C 67H being the first to be introduced. These will then be joined by a front 120/70 R 14 M/C 55H and rear 160/60 R 14 M/C 65H in early 2017. The Pilot Power 3 Scooter will come to market in Europe in February in two sizes, a 120/70 R 15 M/C 56H front fitment and 160/60 R 15 M/C 67H rear.
As the largest Michelin trade-only distributor for motorcycle and scooter tyres in the UK, you can count on Cambrian to have stocks as soon as they arrive!
