75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
72/100
12 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Avon Storm 3D XM vs Michelin Pilot Power 2CT — Compared (September 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
76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
78/100
17 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Avon Storm 3D XM and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT are within 2 points overall. Avon Storm 3D XM is stronger on treadwear. Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is stronger on dry, comfort and wet.
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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)
Pilot Power 2CT leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Storm 3D XM | Pilot Power 2CT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 89 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Power 2CT leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Storm 3D XM | Pilot Power 2CT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 69 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Power 2CT leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Storm 3D XM | Pilot Power 2CT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 85 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Storm 3D XM leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Storm 3D XM | Pilot Power 2CT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 77 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Storm 3D XM leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Storm 3D XM | Pilot Power 2CT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 66 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 90 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon Storm 3D XM | Michelin Pilot Power 2CT |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 76 |
| Dry | 82 | 89 |
| Wet | 65 | 69 |
| Comfort | 79 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 84 | 77 |
| Handling | 68 | 66 |
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
75
/ 100
Tire A
76
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon Storm 3D XM receives a polarized reception, with users divided between those praising its longevity and value for sport-touring and those reporting significant confidence issues regarding wet-weather grip and handling stability. While some riders report excellent mileage and consistent performance, others cite vague feedback, premature hardening, and unpredictable behavior on uneven or damp surfaces.
Pros
- High mileage and tread longevity
- Strong dry-weather grip and stability
- Excellent value for money compared to premium alternatives
- Stable handling during long-distance motorway riding
Cons
- Inconsistent wet-weather performance and lack of confidence
- Vague front-end feedback and 'squirming' sensation
- Tendency to track road grooves and imperfections
- Reports of premature rubber hardening and tread cupping
Observations
- Heavy sport-touring machines show mixed results, with some riders praising stability while others report poor performance over road imperfections.
- Aggressive riders on high-performance bikes (e.g., GSXR 600) report significant confidence issues in wet conditions compared to more relaxed touring styles.
The Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is widely regarded as a high-value, versatile sport tire that excels in dry conditions and offers impressive front-end feedback. While it remains a popular choice for street riders and occasional track users due to its quick warm-up and confidence-inspiring handling, some riders note a lack of progressiveness at the limit and inconsistent performance in heavy rain.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and lean angle capability
- Rapid warm-up time
- Superior front-end feedback and handling precision
- High value-for-money proposition
Cons
- Inconsistent wet weather performance and communication
- Lack of progressiveness when reaching the limit of grip
- Potential for 'on/off' grip characteristics rather than a linear transition
Observations
- Users on middleweight sportbikes like the Yamaha R6 and Suzuki SV650 report high satisfaction with handling, though some note rear-end instability under hard acceleration.
- Riders of naked bikes like the Honda Hornet and Bandit GSF650 praise the tire's ability to transform bike handling compared to OEM alternatives.
Community buzz
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Avon Storm 3D XM
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Mixed
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
The Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is a long-standing, budget-friendly sport tire that generates mixed community opinions. While many riders appreciate their affordability, decent wet grip, and historical popularity, others note they are an older design compared to modern alternatives like the Road 5 or Q3, with some users reporting sliding or feeling they are too aggressive for standard street use.
r/motorcycles
·15 upvotes ·2012-04-07
“Less than 200 miles on this brand new pilot power 2ct, and I got a flat. A goddamn staple thing. What do?”
r/MT09
·2 upvotes ·2025-11-01
“Mix setup — Road 6 front / Power 2CT rear on MT-09 SP. What do you guys think? Hey guys, I’d like to hear your opinion. I’ve got an MT-09 SP, bought it in May 2025, and I’ve already worn out the stock Bridgestone S23 tires over the season. Now I’ve got a mix setup — Michelin Road 6 on the front and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT on the rear (got them as a gift). What do you think — is that a decent combo? Any pros/cons I should know about? The weather’s still nice here, so I’m planning to keep riding until the roads get too wet with autumn rain. 🌧️🏍️”
r/xsr900
·1 upvote ·2025-02-16
“I have Pilot Power 2CT. Honestly, wish I had gotten the Road 5’s (at the time). My tires are stickier than I personally need. Unless you’re going full lean angle on the street, I think they’re a bit aggressive IMO.”
r/xsr900
·1 upvote ·2025-02-16
“I've had 2 sets of Pilot Power 2CT. Got about 10k miles off the front (pushing it) and about 5-6k miles off each rear. You might be able to extend that if you have more twisty roads available. I have to slog through miles of straights to get anywhere twisty like that. My experience with them in the damp and cold has been very good though, but if that doesn't apply to you it's not much of a pro. Personally? I'm getting Road 5s/Road 6s for public roads, and another set of tires (Rosso IIIs) specifically for track and summer use. The Roads will last you even longer and handle themselves in a corner very well. I'm expecting the roads to last me 7-8k miles before I have to swap out the rear”
Top themes
#Longevity and Mileage#Price and Affordability#Track Day Performance#Wet and Cold Grip#Alternative Comparisons#Aging Tire Technology
Based on 15 community posts
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon Storm 3D XM | B · Michelin Pilot Power 2CT |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Avon
76
/ 100
Michelin
Too close to call: Avon Storm 3D XM and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT are within 2 points overall. Avon Storm 3D XM is stronger on treadwear. Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is stronger on dry, comfort and wet.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Avon Storm 3D XM scores 84 vs 77 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT scores 89 vs 82 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT scores 85 vs 79 on comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT scores 69 vs 65 on wet.
Tire A · Avon Storm 3D XM
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
More comparisons
Also compared with
Avon Storm 3D XM also compared with
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT 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.