Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 K1 vs N0 | FerrariChat
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Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 K1 vs N0

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by lchavet, Mar 7, 2014.

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  1. lchavet

    lchavet Karting

    Oct 26, 2010
    91
    Kirkland WA
    Full Name:
    Laurent Chavet
    #1 lchavet, Mar 7, 2014
    Anyone knows what's different between the

    Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 K1 (made for the Ferrari 458 Speciale)
    and
    Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 N0 (made the the Porsche 918)

    I have purchased the 458 Speciale rims to mount on my 458 Italia but the K1 tires are not yet available in the US but the N0 are.
    So I am wondering if it would be fine to mount the N0?

    Alternatively I have found a company in Latvia that will ship me the K1 tires (for a high delivery cost off course)!

    So what do you think is the K1 vs N0 just branding or is there a real difference?
     
  2. Joeyung

    Joeyung Karting

    Mar 9, 2011
    173
    Kentucky
    #2 Joeyung, Mar 7, 2014
    You know you could have put the Speciale sized tires on the original Italia wheels, right?
     
  3. lchavet

    lchavet Karting

    Oct 26, 2010
    91
    Kirkland WA
    Full Name:
    Laurent Chavet
    #3 lchavet, Mar 7, 2014
    I didn't, but it doesn't really matter; I like the look of the Speciale wheels and I can't use the Cup 2 when it's too wet or too cold and we get quite a bit of those around here.
    So I am planning on switching the wheels from time to time depending on the weather.
     
  4. Joeyung

    Joeyung Karting

    Mar 9, 2011
    173
    Kentucky
    #4 Joeyung, Mar 7, 2014
    I have used a set of Pirelli Trofeo R spec tires which come in the Speciale size, they are much better than the Michelins but not great in the rain. Perfect for the track tho.
     
  5. bigblock737

    bigblock737 Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2013
    711
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Andy B.
    #5 bigblock737, Mar 7, 2014
    Did you have comparison back to back ? The Cup 2 are said to be at least as good as the Cup 1 on the track and much better in wet conditions...
     
  6. Joeyung

    Joeyung Karting

    Mar 9, 2011
    173
    Kentucky
    #6 Joeyung, Mar 7, 2014
    The Trofeo R spec tires were three seconds faster than the Michelin Pilot Sports at Mid-Ohio, a track I have done numerous times. A lot of the savings is surprisingly in the braking, I found I could get much more aggressive on the braking points as there was so much more grip on the Trofeos. There is almost no understeer on these tires if they are inflated properly where on the Michelins they were horrible with understeer, particularly when hot.
     
  7. bigblock737

    bigblock737 Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2013
    711
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Andy B.
    #7 bigblock737, Mar 7, 2014
    Sorry to ask again - do you compare with the Michelin Pilot Sport (which is normal tyre for the Italia) or with the Pilot Sport Cup2 (which is the tyre mounted on the Speciale) ?
    The Pilot Sport does have understeer, massive especially in the wet, the Cup2 feels much more neutral from what I can say so far...
     
  8. lchavet

    lchavet Karting

    Oct 26, 2010
    91
    Kirkland WA
    Full Name:
    Laurent Chavet
    #8 lchavet, Mar 8, 2014
    Anyone with connections at Michelin who could ask if the N0 vs K1 is just branding or if it really matters?
     
  9. GrahamPM

    GrahamPM Karting

    Jan 24, 2013
    113
    Cheshire
    #9 GrahamPM, Mar 8, 2014
    I did contact Michelin through their website last month to ask if the Cup 2's were available in different sizes for Ferrari fitment; they were quick to respond. The K1 tyres are the only ones homologated for Ferrari, and I know from a presentation given by Michelin at my local Porsche Club meeting, they spend a lot of time with the major manufactures developing brand specific compounds and carcasses etc. If you were involved in an accident at a later date and the insurance were to check the tyres, it could leave you open to issues.
    I'd try and stick to K1's
    G
     
  10. bigblock737

    bigblock737 Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2013
    711
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Andy B.
    #10 bigblock737, Mar 9, 2014
    There's a handful of dealers selling them here in Germany. So I guess once the first car were delivered in NA they will become available shortly afterwards...

    BTW: a Set costs around 1500 Euros...
     

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