83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
87/100
11 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop Sportsmart vs Michelin Power GP — 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
87
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
91/100
6 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Power GP — better comfort, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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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 GP leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Sportsmart | Power GP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 94 | 98 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Power GP leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Sportsmart | Power GP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 77 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Power GP leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Sportsmart | Power GP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 93 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Power GP leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Sportsmart | Power GP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 83 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Power GP leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Sportsmart | Power GP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 95 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sportsmart | Michelin Power GP |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 87 |
| Dry | 94 | 98 |
| Wet | 76 | 77 |
| Comfort | 85 | 93 |
| Treadwear | 77 | 83 |
| Handling | 91 | 95 |
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
83
/ 100
Tire A
87
/ 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 is widely regarded as a high-performance, confidence-inspiring tire that excels in both dry and wet conditions. While users frequently praise its exceptional grip and predictable handling, longevity remains a polarizing topic, with mileage heavily dependent on riding style and road conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional dry and wet grip that inspires rider confidence
- Predictable feedback and handling, especially when approaching the limit
- Fast warm-up times suitable for both road and occasional track use
- Strong performance stability at high speeds
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life, ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 miles depending on usage
- Stiff N-TEC construction can feel harsh over road imperfections
- Occasional reports of air pressure retention issues on specific rear units
Observations
- Users on high-torque, heavy motorcycles like the Suzuki B-King noted the stiff carcass construction transmits more road feedback, requiring pressure adjustments for optimal feel.
- Commuters reported that the tire maintains even wear patterns despite mixed-use riding, provided pressures are managed correctly.
The Michelin Power GP is widely regarded as a premier hybrid tire, excelling in both spirited street riding and occasional track use. Users consistently praise its rapid warm-up time, exceptional dry grip, and surprising confidence in damp conditions, positioning it as a significant performance upgrade over its predecessors.
Pros
- Rapid warm-up time providing immediate confidence
- Exceptional dry grip and predictable feedback
- Superior performance in damp or wet conditions compared to competitors
- High agility and ease of turn-in
Cons
- Limited tread life, with some users reporting replacement intervals between 5,000 and 6,000 kilometers
- Potential for uneven wear or cupping on the tire edges
- High performance focus may not suit riders prioritizing maximum longevity
Observations
- Users transitioning from the Michelin Power RS to the Power GP on Yamaha MT-09 platforms report a noticeable step up in handling and stability.
- The tire is frequently compared favorably against dedicated track-focused rubber like the Bridgestone RS10 and Dunlop Sportsmart TT.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sportsmart | B · Michelin Power GP |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Max Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
83
/ 100
Dunlop
87
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Power GP — better comfort, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Power GP scores 93 vs 85 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Power GP scores 83 vs 77 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Power GP scores 98 vs 94 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Power GP scores 95 vs 91 on handling.
Tire A · Dunlop Sportsmart
Tire B · Michelin Power GP
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Sportsmart also compared with
Michelin Power GP 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.