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Dunlop TrailSmart 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.
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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 | TrailSmart Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 86 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 81 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 85 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 72 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 81 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop TrailSmart Max | Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 95 | 80 |
| Dry | 93 | 86 |
| Wet | 93 | 81 |
| Comfort | 100 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 100 | 72 |
| Handling | 87 | 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 TrailSmart Max is highly regarded by adventure motorcycle riders for its exceptional balance between sport-touring road performance and light off-road capability. Users consistently praise its handling, wet-weather confidence, and comfort, positioning it as a superior upgrade over many original equipment tires.
Pros
- Excellent handling and turn-in precision on tarmac
- Strong wet-weather grip and stability
- High levels of rider comfort and low noise output
- Versatile performance across varying road conditions
Cons
- Limited performance in deep mud or technical off-road terrain
- Tendency to power slide under aggressive acceleration in heavy rain
- Perceived as less capable in off-road environments compared to dedicated dual-sport tires
Observations
- Riders of large-displacement adventure bikes like the BMW R1200 GSA report high satisfaction with longevity and road-biased performance.
- Users of mid-weight adventure bikes like the V-Strom 650 appreciate the high grip levels on tarmac but note the tire's limitations on loose gravel surfaces.
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 TrailSmart Max | B · Michelin Power 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season All Terrain and Off Road tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Michelin
Winner: Dunlop TrailSmart Max — better treadwear, comfort and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Dunlop TrailSmart Max scores 100 vs 72 on treadwear.
Dunlop TrailSmart Max scores 100 vs 85 on comfort.
Dunlop TrailSmart Max scores 93 vs 81 on wet.
Dunlop TrailSmart Max scores 93 vs 86 on dry.
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.