Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Good primer on tires and styles precisely encapsulated in three pages. Only one more year with Bridgestone. I envision chaos when Michelin takes over. Riders have been bitching and moaning for these last few years but when Michelin jumps into the fray - it's going to be like going back to the first square on the board. I predict a lot more bitching and moaning in 2016 - especially with the filler class teams who will have less money to adapt to the new rubber.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Bridgestone makes a superior product, damn shame they are leaving. I just hope Michilen doesnt rob us of new techniques that have moved the sport forward. Every ounce of your motorcycle senses tells you that having your rear wheel off the ground while entering a corner is about as bad a scenario as you can get, yet this is the new way, for now. I cant fathom it, but it sure is fun to watch.
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Bridgestone took the lead when they lobbied the GPC to ban overnight specials from the Michelin factory. Same thing happened when they successfully lobbied the FOM to ban tire pit stops in F1. There is no white knight in the black rubber industry.
Bridgestone likes tire durability. Tire durability is en vogue, now that tire performance is more than riders/drivers and circuits can handle.
I for one am very interested to see what Michelin is capable of in 2016. It will inevitably force each manufacturer to start from as close to "ground zero" as possible for a motogp team. I think this is important not only for the evolution of motogp, but motorcycles in general. As far as Michelin not being able to make a competitive tire is concerned; It would be naive to think that Michelin isn't already privy to most if not all of the improvements and innovations Bridgestone has made over the years. After all, it's not like they've making tires in a shed somewhere since they left motogp in '08. Rossi himself cited his main reason for signing another 2 years with Yamaha was because he wanted to try the Michelin's. He may not be having the success he had earlier in his career, but Rossi is still the most experienced rider on the grid, and has been very realistic thus far about his abilities in motogp. If he has enough faith to stick out 2 more years JUST for the tires - I think Michelin may have what it takes to surprise us. And let's not forget the financial side of things: Bridgestone was reportedly paying Dorna 20 some million dollars a year to be the official tire sponsor for motogp. With Bridgestone pulling out in 2016, and no other manufacturer so much as placing a bid, it's safe to assume Michelin will be paying significantly less than Bridgestone. Now the question is, will they apply at least some of those savings to tire development? Only time will tell, but I certainly hope Michelin sees this as an opportunity to continue to introduce groundbreaking technology, and not just another paycheck. Personally, I'd like to see Bridgestone stay at least as a secondary manufacturer option, if for no other reason than to push each other to develop better tires. But the bottom line is Michelin was the only manufacturer to submit a bid. No tires, no motogp... So I say - Thanks Michelin - just don't screw it up! 
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
The Bridgestone has record breaking speed AND durability to go the entire race with very little drop off. Michelin never had that, even with the overnight specials.
I doubt it. No one wants to pay for specials, though Michelin might have more tire options available during the season.
The new Michelins will probably be easier to use, but more difficult to manage over race distance, like the SNS tires of yesteryear, which won every championship until they were banned.
