80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
81/100
2 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max 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.
VS
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
79/100
15 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Power 5 — better dry and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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Category breakdown
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
Score (0–100)
Power 5 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 86 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Power 5 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 81 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 85 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 72 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Power 5 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 81 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max | Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 83 |
| Dry | 80 | 86 |
| Wet | 80 | 81 |
| Comfort | 85 | 85 |
| Treadwear | – | 72 |
| Handling | 75 | 81 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
80
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max is widely regarded as a highly capable street-focused tire that excels in wet conditions and offers superior stability compared to its competitors. Users appreciate its predictable handling and confidence-inspiring front-end feel, making it a strong choice for daily riders who prioritize safety and versatility over pure track-day performance.
Pros
- Rapid warm-up time on public roads
- Excellent wet weather grip and predictability
- High levels of front-end confidence and stability
- Improved carcass rigidity compared to entry-level sport tires
Cons
- Less aggressive dry-weather cornering performance than dedicated supersport tires
- Not optimized for high-intensity track use
- Potential for a firmer ride due to the stiff carcass construction
Observations
- Recommended primarily for daily riders and lighter motorcycles rather than dedicated track machines.
- Users transitioning from entry-level sport tires report a significant improvement in stability and feedback.
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.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max | B · Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Dunlop
83
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Power 5 — better dry and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Power 5 scores 86 vs 80 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Power 5 scores 81 vs 75 on handling.
Tire A · Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max
Tire B · Michelin Power 5
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max also compared with
Michelin Power 5 also compared with
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.