even with the increase to 17" rims?Yep thru out the ages
Also the michelin front is slightly smaller in diameter to the old Bridgestones
Michelins have always been known for great grip but less warning than Bridgestone ,dunlop etc for when there gonna let go
Pretty sure, there were no Bridgestones back in the Lawson, Gardner, Schwantz et al days... they are great tyres, but they came later. When it comes to sliding a tyre progressively, it was the radial tyre which was invented by Michelin in the mid 80's, that made that possible... Dunlop and everyone else copied.This is how I always remember it too, from way back in the Lawson, Gardner, Schwantz et al days.
Michelins always provided the most grip, but let go with little to no warning, whereas the Dunlops were always far more progressive.
I had a two stroke dirt bike a long time ago (husky 240 with the left foot kick start) which I likened the throttle to an on / off switch, I couldn't even begin to imagine what those 500s were like.Pretty sure, there were no Bridgestones back in the Lawson, Gardner, Schwantz et al days... they are great tyres, but they came later. When it comes to sliding a tyre progressively, it was the radial tyre which was invented by Michelin in the mid 80's, that made that possible... Dunlop and everyone else copied.
Back in the day, a significant number of the riders who were at the front were on Michelins so they had the guys who were pushing it to the max. If it was gonna let go, it was gonna let go for them, as they were pushing harder. But really, no tyre could handle the huge onrush of 500GP 2 stroke power, which is where the little or no warning bit happened and why they went to big bang firing order to get some relief, and why it was the flat track riders in the early pre big bang days, who just loved hanging the tail out, who could best slide those beasts.
I think the let go with little or no warning is a sweeping generalisation and a bit harsh, considering Michelin were majorly dominant at the time and won 500GP for 13 years in a row, so they must have been doing something right.
melandri used to be so goodDon't know if it's relevant to the tyre discussion, but I'm using it as an excuse to post this....
Melhandri winning at Phillip Island, last corner power slide
Simplemelandri used to be so good
wtf happened to him
considering he also has the hottest wife on the planet
he is now unemployed
how can you have all that and lose it
stoner then?? he won a ducati and also was able to make it slide!Simple
He went to Ducati:behindsofa:
Which is why I said Dunlop, not Bridgestone, in reference to the glory days of 500cc GP. I'm only going off what Barry Sheene used to say, which was that the Dunlops were more progressive. I figured he knew more about it than me.Pretty sure, there were no Bridgestones back in the Lawson, Gardner, Schwantz et al days... they are great tyres, but they came later. When it comes to sliding a tyre progressively, it was the radial tyre which was invented by Michelin in the mid 80's, that made that possible... Dunlop and everyone else copied.
I think the let go with little or no warning is a sweeping generalisation and a bit harsh, considering Michelin were majorly dominant at the time and won 500GP for 13 years in a row, so they must have been doing something right.
Bayliss and Stoner are really the only riders to do any good on em.stoner then?? he won a ducati and also was able to make it slide!
sure he swapped to honda and did the same
I’m sure you are right, but Sheene retired in 1984, the same year that Michelin released the radial, so he may have had the opportunity to ride the Michelin radial, as I’m not sure who sponsored him in his final year… but regardless, he could not have compared it with a Dunlop radial, as it didn’t exist at that time. I can only assume he is comparing Michelin and Dunlop bias ply tyres.I'm only going off what Barry Sheene used to say, which was that the Dunlops were more progressive. I figured he knew more about it than me
Wow, 9/10 fails, that’s a dog of a bike… what model Ducati was it? What used to go wrong?I,m just a bit biased on Dukes , Me and my brother used to go riding together, but 9 times out of 10 i would have to ride home alone , swap the bike for the ute and go pick him and his bike up
How, where?Do yourself a favour and watch the motogp or moto3 race, both amazing.
Are you new to Moto GP watching? That was an awesome race, insane seeing red ending. Definitly one of the best 4 stroke endings.Close to the best race ever.
I've had a couple that i'd class as betterDefinitly one of the best 4 stroke endings.