84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
85/100
4 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop SportSmart 2 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
80
/ 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: Dunlop SportSmart 2 — better handling, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Michelin Power 5 if wet matters most to you.
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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)
SportSmart 2 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 86 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Power 5 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 81 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
SportSmart 2 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 85 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
SportSmart 2 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 72 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
SportSmart 2 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 97 | 81 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SportSmart 2 | Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 84 | 80 |
| Dry | 87 | 86 |
| Wet | 73 | 81 |
| Comfort | 90 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 72 |
| Handling | 97 | 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.
Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
84
/ 100
Tire A
80
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SportSmart 2 is generally regarded as a capable sport-oriented tire that offers a strong balance of dry grip, quick warm-up times, and excellent feedback. While users appreciate its neutral handling and stable carcass, some riders note that its wet-weather performance, particularly regarding rear-end traction, may lag behind premium competitors like Michelin.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and cornering stability
- Rapid warm-up time
- High level of road feedback and communication
- Neutral and predictable turn-in behavior
Cons
- Rear tire traction can be inconsistent in wet conditions
- Performance is perceived as only a marginal upgrade over lower-cost alternatives
- Outperformed in all-weather versatility by some rival brands
Observations
- Riders on high-torque sportbikes like the Honda SP1 and ZX10R report high confidence in the tire's carcass stability during aggressive cornering.
- Users on middleweight commuters like the F800R find the tire suitable for a mix of daily riding and spirited mountain canyon carving.
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 | 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?
84
/ 100
Dunlop
80
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Dunlop SportSmart 2 — better handling, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Michelin Power 5 if wet matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop SportSmart 2 scores 97 vs 81 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop SportSmart 2 scores 83 vs 72 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Power 5 scores 81 vs 73 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop SportSmart 2 scores 90 vs 85 on comfort.
Tire A · Dunlop SportSmart 2
Tire B · Michelin Power 5
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop SportSmart 2 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.