Michelin launches StarCross 5 motocross tyre
And Australia will be the first market in the world to get new high-performance benchmark rubber, which will be available in four versions across a variety of sizesAfter a three-year testing and development program, Michelin has launched its brand new range of StarCross5 motocross tyres in Australia, listing a number of advantages over the previous Starcross 3 and 4 line-ups, including a lighter casing, increased straight line traction, better handling, and the ability to run higher inflation to reduce the risk of tyre 'pinch' without compromising performance. Fitment is also claimed to be easier with the softer casing — which is quite obvious with a simple back-to-back flex test between the old and new.
The Starcross 5 range will go on sale nationally in the first week of June 2015, priced from $99 for fronts and $104.95 for rears. That on-sale date is before any other market in the world, and is a reflection of just how important Australia is for the major tyre manufacturers, especially in the off-road sphere. According to Bangkok-based Australian Adam Storey, who's the commercial director of Asia-Pacific in Michelin's motorcycle business, Australia represents about 15 percent of the total international market for off-road tyres.
The StarCross 5 range is available in four different versions: hard, medium, soft and sand. In terms of usage parameters, the hard is on par with the previous range, the medium and soft now have wider terms of reference, while the sand is now more focussed on what its moniker suggests: sand.
Michelin fully expects the medium tyre to be the biggest seller in Australia, and like the other three versions it features a self-cleaning tread characterised by fine horizontal lines to help release build-up. Moreover, the soft tyre has 'mud-phobia' bars, while the sand tyre has mini scoops to purge the fine stuff quickly.
Lighter casing has reduced weight by as much as 15 percent, with the average across the StarCross 5 range about 10 per cent. The most obvious by-product of trimming the 'fat' is less unspring weight, which has palpable benefits in terms of braking, handling and general manoeuvrability.
The lighter casing is down to a new production technology, with the three-ply nylon design jettisoned in favour of a two-ply polyester construction. Michelin claims the update has not only reduced tyre 'rebound' but lateral rigidity remains unaffected. And the StarCross 5 tyres also also require less 'warm-up' compared to their predecessors.
With the new casing, Michelin also says that riders can now run higher tyre pressures — up to 3psi more than the old Starcross range — without compromising performance.
The four versions of the StarCross 5 are available in the following sizes:
Hard
90/100-21
110/90-19
Medium
80/100-21
90/100-21
100/90-19
110/90-19
120/80-19
100/100-18
110/100-18
120/90-18
Soft
90/100-21
100/100-18
110/100-18
120/90-18
100/909-19
110/90-19
120/80-19
Sand
80/100-21
100/90-19
110/90-19
For the full range of Michelin off-road tyres, including enduro, moto trials, rally and 'leisure' specific hoops, click here.
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