Michelin Road 5 Rear Sport Touring Tire

• MICHELIN® Road 5 tires offer superior wet weather grip versus leading competitors due to patented MICHELIN XST Evo siping and our latest 2CT and 2CT+ tread compounds
• Even after 3,500 miles, MICHELIN® Road 5 tires stop as short as new MICHELIN Pilot® Road 4 tires thanks to evolutionary MICHELIN XST Evo sipes.
• Enjoy better dry grip, improved stability and handling versus MICHELIN Pilot® Road 4 tires thanks to Michelin’s patented ACT+ casing technology for even more riding pleasure
• MICHELIN® Road 5 Trail: For adventure touring bikes ridden exclusively on the road

What we think:

The Michelin Road 5 and Michelin Road 6 are both top-tier sport-touring tires designed for riders who want excellent grip, longevity, and all-weather performance. The Road 5 has been a class leader since its release, but the Road 6 improves upon it in several key areas — especially in wet grip, mileage, and comfort.

Here's a detailed breakdown and comparison:

✅ Michelin Road 5 – Key Features:

• Target Use: Sport-touring riders who ride in dry and wet conditions, with occasional spirited cornering.

• Tread Design: XST Evo siping + 2CT/2CT+ dual-compound technology.

• Wet Grip: Exceptional — even when 50% worn, the wet performance rivals brand-new Road 4s.

• Mileage: Typically good for 8,000–10,000 miles for the average rider.

• Handling: Neutral steering, stable at lean angles, great feedback.

• Comfort: Soaks up road imperfections well; tuned for mixed riding styles.

• Best For: All-season riders who prioritize confidence in the rain and spirited sport-touring feel.

✅ Michelin Road 6 – Key Improvements Over Road 5:

• Wet Grip: Up to 15% better wet grip than Road 5, thanks to updated silica compound and more siping.

• New Rubber Mix: Next-gen silica-rich compound with Michelin’s “Water Evergrip Technology.”

• Mileage: 10% increase in lifespan over Road 5 — many riders report 10,000–12,000+ miles.

• Improved Stability: More consistent performance at lean angles, especially under load (pillion or luggage).

• Road 6 GT version available for heavier sport-tourers (e.g., BMW R1250RT, Yamaha FJR1300).

• Handling Feel: Slightly more touring-oriented — smoother turn-in, more stable under braking, slightly less flickable than Road 5.

🆚 Michelin Road 5 vs Road 6 – At a Glance

🔍 Final Verdict:

• Choose the Road 5 if:

  • You ride mainly in dry or mixed conditions and want sporty handling.

  • You're budget-conscious but still want top-tier wet grip and comfort.

  • You ride a lighter sport-tourer or naked bike (e.g., MT-09, Tracer 7, Ninja 1000).

• Choose the Road 6 if:

  • You ride year-round, often in the rain, and want maximum confidence in wet conditions.

  • You value longer mileage and smoother touring feel.

  • You ride a heavier sport-tourer or with a passenger/luggage (consider Road 6 GT).

💡 Bottom Line:
The Road 6 is an evolutionary improvement over the already-excellent Road 5. If you’re upgrading or replacing tires and don’t mind the price bump, the Road 6 is worth it for most riders — especially those who ride in wet conditions or do longer-distance touring.