MICHELIN is following up on its record sales in 2013 with more than seven percent growth and all-time high market share in Europe, North America and Asia, with the launch of its new Pilot Road 4 tyre.
This follows on from seven new products that have been very favourably received in its various markets in 2013, such as the Pilot Power 3 and the City Winter Grip - with five times as many City Winter Grips sold more than initially forecast.
The new Pilot Road 4 is said to outperform its nearest rivals when braking on wet, slippery roads by 17 percent, while at the same time offering a 20 percent increase in longevity compared to the Pilot Road 3, which it is replacing.
Both front and rear feature Michelin 2 CT (Two Compound Technology), which employs a softer compound for the shoulders and a more resistant compound for the centre of the tread in order to prolong tyre life and optimise grip.
With Michelin XST (X-Sipe Technology), the part of the tread band in contact with the road features sipes and water reservoirs said to slice through surface water and increase the tyre’s water clearance capacity to obtain a level of grip on a par with that associated with near-dry roads.
With XST+, the technology features transverse sipes which improve braking performance, while the edges of the sipes are chamfered to help to prevent abnormal wear in extreme conditions.
The new architecture of Michelin’s patented 2AT (Dual Angle Technology) is the result of a five-year research and development programme, and is said to heighten riding enjoyment on heavier bikes by providing the Pilot Road 4 GT with the necessary rigidity to optimise stability when cornering and on straights. To enhance stability, 2AT provides a claimed 15 percent gain in terms of rigidity compared with a conventional tyre.
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