Both the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 are top-notch high performing summer tires, which offer remarkable grip in both wet and dry conditions.
The Bottom line is this, each tire has its own strengths and weaknesses. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 offers superior dry braking, fuel efficiency, and on-road comfort, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 excels in dry handling, wet performance, and tread longevity.
Table of Contents
Available Tire Sizes
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 comes in 18 total sizes, in 17 to 20 inches (rims), with following specs.
- Speed ratings: Y only.
- Load ratings: XL only.
- Tread depth: all sizes have 9/32″.
- Weight range: 17 to 34 lbs.
- Tread mileage rating: 30k miles warranty.
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 on the other hand comes in 32 sizes, in 17 to 22 inches (rims), with following specs.
- Speed ratings: Y and W
- Load ratings: XL
- Tread depth: 8/32″.
- Weight range: 16 to 30 lbs.
- Tread warranty: 45k miles.
Note: More sizes are coming in, Goodyear is planing to show up with 65 of its total sizes.
Tread Appearance
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 unveils a distinctive and asymmetric design composed of five ribs.
In the middle, we find three ribs, each uniquely crafted. Lets take a look at them, going from left to right.
The left-most (central) rib is an assembly of large, robust blocks. This rib basically stands out with the widest gaps compared to other two.
(These gaps function like in-groove biters, adding to tire’s overall gripping capabilities).
The other two ribs have more in common. They are both equipped with lateral incisions, which don’t split up the rib all the way.
Though the rib, closer to shoulders have slightly thicker slits in it.
As we approach the edges or shoulders, the design takes on a more daring character. This region of the tire features the broadest gaps and includes angled grippers. And looking at those lugs, it makes sense why the tire does so well when it comes to hydroplaning resistance.
On the flip side, the Goodyear Eagle F1 “Asymmetric” 6 lives up to its name with a unique, uneven design.
Let me start from its middle.
Here just like the Pilot Sport 5, this tire also features 3 ribs.
The middle most has almost unbroken, two types of siping slits. One is slightly angled and ends in notches, while the other showcases minimal sipes.
And the ribs on either side subtly display their individual and unique characteristics, though they may seem very similar.
Both ribs feature siping slits that connect to what we could refer to as wider notches, although they are inclined at varying angles.
Collectively, these ribs form four grooves. Three of these (visible on the left of the image) share a similar thickness, while the fourth one is narrower (which further adds to the tire’s asymmetric tread pattern).
Furthermore, same is the case with shoulders on either side, they vary only a little form one another, in terms of thickness, and tread voids they make.
Assessing Dry Performance
A thorough analysis of these tires’ dry performance must cover traction, steering, and cornering capabilities. Let’s dive deeper into these key characteristics.
Longitudinal Traction
The ability of a tire to adhere to dry, straight roads is technically known as dry grip in the tire industry. And given its directional metric, it is often referred to as longitudinal traction.
And when the tire rolls straight (that is on highways, mostly), its central tread areas bears the most pressure of the weight and generates the maximum friction.
So its important how much contact patch is made from there.
Having said that the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is a great tire here, excelling in dry braking, and earning a reputation as one of the best when it comes to high performance tires.
The tire comes equipped with full-depth sipes combined with angled notches/incisions, and both of these account for epic gripping efficacy.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 on the other hand, lacks with it’s larger tread voids in comparison. Though the difference is very small overall.
Dry Handling
The handling and lateral traction of a tire (during cornering) are dependent on the extremities of the tread (i.e. shoulders). This is because that area gets to have the most weight pressure on it during turns.
And having said that, although both tires perform admirably in this aspect, I would still go with Michelin Pilot Sport 5, thanks to its superior steering response.
Basically this tire features a enhanced balance in understeering and oversteering. It’s shoulder lugs provide a better combination of rigidity and flexibility so the tire neither over-steers nor under.
Performance on Wet Surfaces
A tire with superior wet performance must have a tread that offers robust wet grip and resistance to hydroplaning. Both of these basically are achieved through proficient water displacement.
And I have to say, I am impressed with both tires here.
While the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 outperforms its competitor in terms of wet handling, the Pilot Sport 5 asserts its superiority with a shorter braking distances (seen on multiple tests, and then averaged).
But keep in mind, that there’s still room for improvement for the Asymmetric 6 when it comes to hydroplaning, especially on corners.
Due to the tire’s closed up shoulder voids, water isn’t able to evacuate out as easily (on Asymmetric 6) as seen on its peer.
So it shows up with more susceptibility to sliding on watery corners.
In comparison, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 distinguishes itself as one of the best in this regard, delivering with top-notch float speeds on both straight and curved pavements.
Fuel Consumption
The dimensions of rolling resistance and fuel efficiency are both directly proportional to one another.
But what causes greater rolling resistance?
Well, two main factors, weight and tread composition. And looking at both it can be explained why the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 exhibits marginally lower values, (albeit the difference is very marginal).
Basically the tire comes up with a more streamlined structure, with shallower tread depth on average. These basically don’t allow the lugs to move/bend a lot as the tire maneuvers (compared to Pilot Sport 5).
Moreover, it also features an overall lighter structure, relatively. So naturally less energy is required to roll it.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 on the other hand, comes with greater tread voids especially towards the shoulders, and so, that causes its lugs to bend a lot more in comparison, increasing overall energy expenditure.
Tread Life
The longevity of tire tread is primarily dictated by three critical factors: rolling resistance, tread depth, and composition.
To give you an idea, basically, tires with greater tread depth experience a slower rate of wear, while those crafted from a stiffer material can effectively resist rapid tread degradation.
So you can say there are two things here, tread burning rate, and time. And in both, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 emerges as a superior choice.
Its rigid rubber composition is less prone to rapid wear rate, and its slightly deeper tread depth means, it takes longer to wear down to the legal tread depth limit of 2/32″.
So it makes sense why it comes with 30k miles warranty, while the Asymmetric does not offer any.
Road Comfort Assessment
The quality of a tire’s ride is shaped by several factors, including noise production, comfort, and impact absorption capacity. Let’s check out all these aspects in greater detail.
Tire Noise Generation
Airflow is a significant contributor to tire noise, with the majority of it flowing through the shoulder grooves of the tire’s tread.
Basically, as air particles collide with the tread walls, the impact generates what we call tread noise. And this gets intensifies as the tire wears down.
The Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 6 is one of the best tire in this regard. Its design incorporates smaller tread voids at the shoulders, so noise is killed at the potential source.
And its inner lugs carry superior pitch sequencing technology (where varying angles dampen down the noise levels).
On the flip side, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is one of the loudest tire in its category. Its shoulder lugs feature relatively large lateral voids, which render the tire noticeably louder.
And the its inner tread voids create a lot more in-groove resonance, comparatively.
Road Vibrations
The smoothness of a tire’s ride is closely tied to its capacity to manage road imperfections, a characteristic heavily influenced by tire’s overall composition (both internally and externally).
Meaning, tires with softer constructions, typically provide a more comfortable driving experience.
And so it makes sense why the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 encounters some challenges in this area, due to it’s less flexible internal cap plies, and relatively harder overall tread compound.
Although this very tread compound, allows it to have better tread life, it feels very jittery on bumpy roads compare to Asymmetric 6.
Goodyear’s boy on the other hand features a a lot softer tread rubber, which effectively soak up the vibrations of the road within its tread, leading to a smoother, more comfortable ride.
So, What’s The Verdict?
Although its not recommended to skip any of the above, let me (try to) break down every thing I discussed here.
In terms of dry performance, both tires perform admirably, but the Asymmetric 6 still comes out better in terms of dry braking, thanks to its full-depth sipes on the middle ribs. However, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 offers superior dry handling due to its enhanced understeering and oversteering balance, along with a quicker steering response.
The opposite happens on wet roads, where Michelin Pilot 5 delivers shorter braking distances and its competitor comes out with superior handling.
But yes, hydroplaning resistance is seen better on Pilot Sport too.
What else… yes, in terms of rolling resistance and fuel efficiency, the Asymmetric 6 comes out ahead with its lighter structure and shallower tread depth.
Though they also cause it to wear off quicker in comparison. So tread life is longer on Pilot Sport 5.
Lastly, evaluating road comfort, the Asymmetric 6 leads in noise reduction due to smaller tread voids on its shoulders and superior absorption of road irregularities. Whereas the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 could really use some help in this area.
