Review: Michelin Pilot Super Sports
06-03-11, 08:45 PM
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Review: Michelin Pilot Super Sports
I received a phone call from a forum member tonight asking for advice on tire choices and thought that I was overdue in posting this review 
I've put approx 2000 miles on these tires, including the trip to Deal's Gap and four passes through the Dragon. These are meant for my street wheels, I have another set for road racing.
PROs: Ride quality and lack of road noise are superb. They really shine on the horrible NJ roads, and they're also fairly light given the size. In the rain they didn't seem adversely affected, including a massive rainstorm in VA at highway speeds. Aesthetically, they have a pleasing tread pattern and look good sitting on the wheels with a slight stretch.
CONs: Given the 300 treadwear, I shouldn't be surprised--- the level of grip isn't what I'm looking for. Through the Dragon, they were decent once heated up, but when really pushed their limits are reached much sooner than something like a Yoko AD08.
They give audible feedback once hot, but in my experience if not very warm they let go at the limit without much warning. They do so progressively and you can easily recover, but I was pretty surprised the two times I managed to get the car partially sideways on the high-speed sweepers around the Dragon.
The biggest negative for these tires IMO is the lack of feedback while cornering. They felt numb in turns, which is disconcerting blasting around high-speed sweepers on the side of a mountain. A passenger commented to me that the car felt vague in these situations..... if it can be felt from the passenger seat, that tells me something.
VERDICT: A great street tire for the performance driver of your average stock Porsche/BMW driver, or for those looking for adequate performance with good streetability. Not well suited to a driver with a modified FD looking for top-tier grip and feedback.
I've put approx 2000 miles on these tires, including the trip to Deal's Gap and four passes through the Dragon. These are meant for my street wheels, I have another set for road racing.
PROs: Ride quality and lack of road noise are superb. They really shine on the horrible NJ roads, and they're also fairly light given the size. In the rain they didn't seem adversely affected, including a massive rainstorm in VA at highway speeds. Aesthetically, they have a pleasing tread pattern and look good sitting on the wheels with a slight stretch.
CONs: Given the 300 treadwear, I shouldn't be surprised--- the level of grip isn't what I'm looking for. Through the Dragon, they were decent once heated up, but when really pushed their limits are reached much sooner than something like a Yoko AD08.
They give audible feedback once hot, but in my experience if not very warm they let go at the limit without much warning. They do so progressively and you can easily recover, but I was pretty surprised the two times I managed to get the car partially sideways on the high-speed sweepers around the Dragon.
The biggest negative for these tires IMO is the lack of feedback while cornering. They felt numb in turns, which is disconcerting blasting around high-speed sweepers on the side of a mountain. A passenger commented to me that the car felt vague in these situations..... if it can be felt from the passenger seat, that tells me something.
VERDICT: A great street tire for the performance driver of your average stock Porsche/BMW driver, or for those looking for adequate performance with good streetability. Not well suited to a driver with a modified FD looking for top-tier grip and feedback.
Last edited by GoodfellaFD3S; 06-03-11 at 10:53 PM.
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