Dunlop RoadSmart III's

[eisen77]

After magically making my PR4 GT rear look like a square pancake after so few thousands of KM's, i decided it was time to try a new pair of shoes.

The PR4 Trail (front) appeared to have tread and life, however after a VERY quick inspection once off the bike, it too was deformed with flat spots and ripples. In fact, i would wager that the front gave more instability issues than the rear.

So on go the RSIII´s...
So far, i can confirm that they are MUCH stiffer than the PR4´s. Even installing them was a totally different experience than the Michelins.
Of course new rubber always makes for a ´new´bike, but i can say that the Dunlops felt secure and natural from the moment we set off.
I did not feel the need to gently scrub them in or test them; just went straight to familiar roads and started to enjoy them.
They do give more feedback and the bike rolls into corners with enthusiasm. The profile is quite round (i.e not V) so there is no sudden fall into a corner, just a nice constant roll with plenty of confidence. They are definitely stiffer (as i said) and bump absorbtion is not as good as the PR4´s. They transmit a lot more of the road back though the chassis. However, i do not see that as a negative.

So, that is my mini-review after 60km on dry roads.

I am interested to see how they handle wet/slimy roads, filtering on uneven surfaces and of course....wear.

** If i had to offer one piece of advice for those GS/GSA owners only wanting PR4´s: personally, i would stick to a trail/trail (front and rear) matching set.
The GT was fine, but i preferred the bikes handling while on trail/trail.
With a trail/trail setup, the bike felt more compliant and did not try to resist rider input during sweeping corners or fast roundabout exits like with the GT.
From DAY 1 of putting the GT rear handling was OK & the bike never protested, but it never felt right either. Hard to explain - but I hope it makes sense !

Here are some pics of the Dunlops...

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I am getting tempted to try the sport smarts on the XR

They are on the KTM superduke and look good

 

[eisen77]

I am getting tempted to try the sport smarts on the XR

They are on the KTM superduke and look good

I had the SportMax/SportSmart on my Triumph Speed Triple R and really(!) liked them.
I rated them higher than the OEM Pirelli Rosso Corsas.

I know the Corsas are meant to have better outright grip and handling, but they felt quite sterile to me and i did not like the way they handled on road or track, no matter the ambient temp. or tire pressure.
As soon as the D211's went on - i really began to enjoy my Speed Triple...

 

[dave hendy]

Keep us informed over the Summer!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KMD]

I use Auto Moto Racing at Bellerby, near to the Manor Cafe. I was there this week getting the bike MOT'd by Bob the owner. He was telling me he was just back from a testing week in France with Dunlop. Apparently they have gone all out to make this tyre better than the PR4 which was last years best seller by far. In his opinion Dunlop have achieved it, and he expects to be fitting a lot of them this year. My PR4's still have a trip left in them so I won't be finding out first hand just yet, but will be watching comments with interest.

 

[Marlou]

eisen77, did you start with anerkee 3's (spelling?) and if so how are the dunlops compareable to them for road noise at the front?? If not then how noisy do you find the dunlops?

Cheers

 

[Clifton]

So on go the RSIII´s...

......So, that is my mini-review after 60km on dry roads.

I am interested to see how they handle wet/slimy roads, filtering on uneven surfaces and of course....wear.

Thanks eisen they sound like a good option now get out on an extended trip say 7,000 miles and report back!

 

[Eunuch]

All very personal and all that jazz, but I noticed the stiff walls on the Roadsmart II's too and for that reason not the greatest fan. The Roadsmart I's I really liked. Think they got all stiffy after that.

Having said that I'll be interested in a few others opinions as I don't intend staying on PR4's for ever!

 

[fredaroony]

Keen to know what these are like in the cold i.e. do they warm up quickly like the PR4's?

 

[eisen77]

UPDATE

I did a 600km round trip yesterday.
Varying roads comprising of motorways, sweeping mountain roads, light tracks, deteriorated asphalt paths & damp B roads.

The RoadSmart III´s were simply phenomenal.
I was pushing harder and faster than i did on the PR4´s and the amount of confidence the RSIII´s give is quite amazing.
They don´t track or follow imperfections and though i thought bump absorbtion would be bad - it is not. These tires are firm (stiff) but in no way make the ride less comfy than the PR4´s. If anythng, the bike feels more planted.

Obviously the tires are brand new, so i hope these traits stay with them throughout their lifespan.
But for now, for me these are top of the list.

Here are some pics:

 

[J biker]

Might be fitting these in the next few weeks.
Ran Sportsmart 2s on the Multi and was happy with the wear/grip on them.

 

[fredaroony]

I did a 600km round trip yesterday.
Varying roads comprising of motorways, sweeping mountain roads, light tracks, deteriorated asphalt paths & damp B roads.

The RoadSmart III´s were simply phenomenal.
I was pushing harder and faster than i did on the PR4´s and the amount of confidence the RSIII´s give is quite amazing.
They don´t track or follow imperfections and though i thought bump absorbtion would be bad - it is not. These tires are firm (stiff) but in no way make the ride less comfy than the PR4´s. If anythng, the bike feels more planted.

Obviously the tires are brand new, so i hope these traits stay with them throughout their lifespan.
But for now, for me these are top of the list.

What temps are you riding in? 18c 'ish? They heat up quickly in that heat range?

 

[eisen77]

I left home at 0600hrs @ 4 degrees. First roundabout 5km away and had no issues at all.
During the day it hit 18/19 degrees and dropped again in the evening.
Pressures were by the book 2.5/2.9 bar.

 

[Tearaway]

Just wondering how you're getting on with the roadsmarts?

 

[Blackal]

I am getting tempted to try the sport smarts on the XR

They are on the KTM superduke and look good

I put sportsmarts on my Boxercup and thought they were the best ever to go on that bike. I fit them to my R-1 and HP2s too. - great tyres

Al

 

[vincentrapide]

What temps are you riding in? 18c 'ish? They heat up quickly in that heat range?

Currently slithering around the Scottish highlands in 10 to 12c and wet. RS 3's are very confidence giving with fast warm up. Also give a good ride for high speed cruising and a bit of scratching thrown in. They replaced OE Anakee 3's on my GSA, which I thought lacked grip and were too noisy.

 

[fredaroony]

Currently slithering around the Scottish highlands in 10 to 12c and wet. RS 3's are very confidence giving with fast warm up. Also give a good ride for high speed cruising and a bit of scratching thrown in. They replaced OE Anakee 3's on my GSA, which I thought lacked grip and were too noisy.

Yikes I thought 15c in our winter right now was cold and you are in summer!!

 

[simmo1]

I went for a run the other day. Started at 7.30am at 5 deg C, dropped to 2, then rose up to about 9. Home by 5pm after abt 600km at strangely 5 deg C. Warm as toast with my Venture heated jacket liner. And yep Fredarooney this is in Aus. BTW the Anakee 3's did the job admirably. I don't think that they are going to sell Roadsmarts to Aus in the sizes for the GS??

Simmo

 

[Lord Snooty]

Having some SP IIIs fitted today to my 1200 GSA before heading for France/Spain Pyrenees in just over a week.

 

[Iverbiggin]

I've put these on my bike 1k miles ago, I like them a lot, good in the rain!
I use my bike for a 60 miles daily commute to London! Very stable a three figure speeds as well.....
Haven't tried two up, but I carry quite a lot of weight in my top box, and they are very quite.
You don't need to ride them in either! well I didn't.....
M