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Michelin City Grip Winter 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.
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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 | City Grip Winter | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 87 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | City Grip Winter | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 87 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | City Grip Winter | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 89 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | City Grip Winter | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 83 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | City Grip Winter | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin City Grip Winter | Michelin Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 94 | 85 |
| Dry | 90 | 88 |
| Wet | 90 | 87 |
| Comfort | 100 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 100 | 83 |
| Handling | 90 | 80 |
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 Michelin City Grip Winter is highly regarded by scooter riders for its exceptional versatility and durability in cold-weather conditions. Users report consistent performance across wet and dry surfaces, with notable longevity that exceeds expectations for a winter-compound tire.
Pros
- Excellent traction in both wet and dry conditions
- Impressive tread longevity despite aggressive riding styles
- Reliable performance in snowy conditions
- High value for money due to extended service life
Cons
- Limited feedback available regarding performance on larger displacement motorcycles
- Potential for compound hardening if used exclusively in high-heat summer environments
Observations
- Users operating 200cc scooters report that the tire maintains stability and grip even at higher speeds up to 80mph.
- The tire demonstrates robust durability for daily commuting applications, showing minimal wear after two years of use.
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.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin City Grip Winter | B · Michelin Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Touring Winter tire | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Michelin
Michelin
Winner: Michelin City Grip Winter — better treadwear, comfort and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Michelin City Grip Winter scores 100 vs 83 on treadwear.
Michelin City Grip Winter scores 100 vs 89 on comfort.
Michelin City Grip Winter scores 90 vs 80 on handling.
Michelin City Grip Winter scores 90 vs 87 on wet.
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.