94
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
94/100
1,952 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Michelin Pilot Road 4 vs Michelin Road 5 — 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
85
/ 100
Objective (60%)
72/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
84/100
24 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Pilot Road 4 — better handling, dry and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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Category breakdown
6 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 Road 4 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Road 4 | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 87 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Road 4 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Road 4 | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 87 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Road 4 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Road 4 | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 89 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Pilot Road 4 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Road 4 | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 83 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Pilot Road 4 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Road 4 | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Road 4 | Michelin Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 94 | 85 |
| Dry | 96 | 88 |
| Wet | 94 | 87 |
| Comfort | 94 | 89 |
| Noise | 92 | – |
| Treadwear | 91 | 83 |
| Handling | 96 | 80 |
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
94
/ 100
Tire A
85
/ 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 Michelin Pilot Road 4 is widely regarded as a premier all-season tire, particularly praised for its exceptional wet-weather performance and confidence-inspiring handling. While most users appreciate the balance of comfort, longevity, and safety, some high-performance drivers note a lack of sharpness compared to dedicated summer tires, and a subset of users report concerns regarding tread life and road noise.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
- High level of comfort and reduced road noise compared to OEM run-flats
- Predictable and stable handling in varied road conditions
- Strong longevity for a performance-oriented tire
Cons
- Increased rolling resistance leading to reduced fuel/battery range in EVs
- Reported inconsistency in tread life across different vehicle types
- Less sharp steering response compared to dedicated summer performance tires
- Occasional reports of higher-than-expected road noise on certain pavement types
Observations
- EV owners, particularly Tesla users, frequently report a noticeable decrease in range (approx. 10-20%) due to higher rolling resistance.
- Motorcycle riders note that the tire requires a significant 'bedding-in' period before reaching optimal grip levels.
- Users replacing factory run-flat tires consistently report a drastic improvement in ride quality and cabin comfort.
The Michelin Road 5 is widely regarded as a benchmark sport-touring tire, praised for its exceptional wet-weather performance and impressive longevity. While most riders report high confidence in both dry and wet conditions, a significant subset of users has expressed frustration regarding the tire's susceptibility to punctures, which some attribute to its soft carcass and siping design.
Pros
- Class-leading wet weather grip and rider confidence
- Excellent tread life and durability for touring applications
- Dual-compound construction provides a balance of stability and cornering grip
- Strong performance across diverse riding styles, including occasional track use
Cons
- High susceptibility to punctures from road debris
- Soft carcass construction can be prone to structural damage from impacts
- Some users report a lack of feedback compared to dedicated sport tires
- Premium price point compared to competitors
Observations
- Users on torquey middleweight bikes (e.g., 650cc-765cc) report excellent traction and longevity, even under aggressive riding.
- Heavier sport-touring machines (e.g., K1300R, VFR800) benefit from the tire's stability, though some note unique wear patterns on the front tire compared to the rear.
- Commuters on poor-quality tarmac report high mileage but note that the tire's grip can be tested by extreme road surface conditions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Road 4 | B · Michelin Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
94
/ 100
Michelin
85
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Road 4 — better handling, dry and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 96 vs 80 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 96 vs 88 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 91 vs 83 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 94 vs 87 on wet.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Road 4
Tire B · Michelin Road 5
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin Pilot Road 4 also compared with
Michelin Road 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.