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Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II vs Michelin Power 5 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier II | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 86 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier II | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 81 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier II | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 85 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier II | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 72 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier II | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 81 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II | Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 80 |
| Dry | 95 | 86 |
| Wet | 75 | 81 |
| Comfort | 95 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 72 |
| Handling | 95 | 81 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II is regarded as a responsive and confidence-inspiring tire that offers excellent feedback and predictable handling characteristics. While it performs well in spirited riding conditions, users note that it requires a brief warm-up period to reach optimal operating temperatures in colder weather.
Pros
- Quick and agile turn-in response
- High levels of grip and tactile feedback
- Predictable behavior when approaching the limit of traction
- Reliable performance in wet conditions
Cons
- Requires significant warm-up time in cold temperatures
- Performance is sensitive to ambient temperature fluctuations
Observations
- Sportbike riders, specifically those on middleweight machines like the Kawasaki ZX6R, report a noticeable improvement in agility compared to competing brands.
The Michelin Power 5 is widely regarded as a high-performing street sport tire that excels in rapid warm-up, wet-weather confidence, and agile handling. While most riders praise its real-world versatility and grip, opinions on longevity and high-lean-angle stability are polarized, with some users preferring competitors like the Bridgestone S22 for track-oriented or aggressive riding.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and stability in standing water
- Rapid warm-up times, even in cooler ambient temperatures
- Agile handling and predictable cornering behavior on public roads
- Strong confidence-inspiring feedback during braking
Cons
- Tendency for the rear tire to square off prematurely
- Inconsistent performance and grip degradation as the tire reaches the end of its life
- Lack of confidence at maximum lean angles compared to dedicated track tires
- Mixed reports on overall mileage, with some users experiencing rapid wear under heavy engine braking
Observations
- Users on middleweight naked bikes like the KTM Duke 790 report excellent synergy and traction control performance.
- Riders with high-torque bikes featuring strong engine braking noted a 'sketchy' front-end feel and accelerated rear tire wear.
- Mileage reports vary significantly, ranging from 2,500 miles to over 8,000 miles depending on riding style and bike weight.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II | B · Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Michelin
Winner: Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II — better handling, comfort and dry. Pick the Michelin Power 5 if wet matters most to you.
Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II scores 95 vs 81 on handling.
Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II scores 95 vs 85 on comfort.
Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II scores 95 vs 86 on dry.
Michelin Power 5 scores 81 vs 75 on wet.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.