Road Smarts

[Balders1450]

Decided after reading many posts and Fast Bikes "The Longest day" that these are my next tyres. Started with 4 pairs of Battlewings, ok but not so good in the wet, then Conti Trail Attacks which are a huge improvement over the B/W's, just as the German Mottorrad mag said they were.

So these R/Smarts should be even better, getting them fitted on Friday


http://www.fastbikesmag.com/2011/02/01/the-longest-day-2010-test-archive/

 

[Dainese Brave]

You're tyre trail has been the same as mine..except for my present Tourances.

My opinion of them all is the same as yours too, so I'll be very interested in your view of the Roadsmarts

 

[Balders1450]

One tyre dealer told me he only uses B/Wings on his GSA, and they were by far better than Conti T/A....... My reply was Bollox!

Perhaps he doesn't ride it like I do (obviously from looking at his tyres)

Opinions are like a/holes, everybody's got one, but when you read testers unbiased reports, and these guys are all good riders, then I tend to take notice, and so far everything I've read on the Conti's has been true, and then Rashers post "Dual Purpose Vs Road Tyres - Dunlops View" sealed it!

 

[Balders1450]

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[Dainese Brave]

I never had any confidence in the Battlewings, especially in the wet..the attacks were a revelation in comparison.

I've had no problem with the Tourances...but don't think the performance couldn't be improved.

 

[Beemerman59]

Everyone has their own viewpoint. I rated the Battlewings much higher than the Conti Trail Attacks which I'm changing soon and going back to Roadsmarts which are better than either by miles. The Conti's are skittish in the wet and I have had the front and rear both let go in the dry on smooth warm tarmac. Battlewings by comparison never let go wet or dry, but I knew I was at the edge with grip. So Roadsmarts from now on until someone else makes something better in 19 inch front.

 

[Rasher]

I hated battlewings that were on my bike when i picked it up, just felt horribel, Tourance EXP's were far better and I was not unhappy with them, but as I ride 99.9% on road fancied as much grip as possible.

Roadmsarts have only been on for about 50 mainly steady two-up miles but do feel more planted and stable and have a much better profile (you wont ride of the edge of these easily) and bigger footprint.

Bet they are crap in the mud though, then again I doubt tourances would be great either.

 

[original_concept]

RoadSmarts?

Overall… ok. IMHO not a good as the Michelin PR1/2 combo.

I've had 'em for about a month and 4K miles, mixing it up on the usual M/A/B/C UK roads and some French Ds.

They're a very hard tyre from new and the the front profile is not confidence inspiring when its 2-3degs and greasy. It seemed to take 300 miles before the tyres felt usable (i.e. throw into a corner in any condition without worrying), bear in mind this was during February. The tyres (like most) do like it 10degs and above.

Also, I really noticed how much rolling resistance they have, compared to the Michelins, especially when on UK roads. The RSs are a far better tyre back in their land of manufacture, more noticeable than the Michelin.

A good tyre, but could be better. If the rear lasts longer than the Michelins then my view might change and the extra cost may less annoying.

 

[red line]

conti road attack 2 for me

 

[Martyn H]

conti road attack 2 for me

I like the Dunlops, but yes, these shade it for me too.

 

[t'other dave]

Opinions are like a/holes, everybody's got one, but when you read testers unbiased reports, and these guys are all good riders, then I tend to take notice, and so far everything I've read on the Conti's has been true, !

I would not be so sure about unbiased testers for magazines, I remember how MCN used to slate Avons and love Michelin, then all of a sudden Avon was top and Michelin were tat, The reason? Michelin stopped giving MCN testers free tyres without question and Avon stepped in..
Also dont forget a lot of the feature writers got the job because of there writing/story telling ability over their riding ability.
Dave

 

[Sam555]

Read on another thread that the new Dunlop Trailmax TR91 is highly rated, the roadsmart will look ok on a standard GS but out of place? on a GSA (in my opinion anyway). Good luck with whatever you choose, never known such a hot topic but as long as you feel confident on your new tyres then thats what matters.

 

[Rasher]

I would not be so sure about unbiased testers for magazines.....

Also dont forget a lot of the feature writers got the job because of there writing/story telling ability over their riding ability.
Dave

Indeed, but when Dunlop launched the tyres they let the press out on same track in same conditions on several competitor tyres and all the testers did go quicker on the Dunlops, especially in the wet, however...

When my mate tested a Sportsmart (he is a race instructor / coach) he reckoned it took some warming up, whereas Dunlop like to claim it is almost as good as a Roadsmart in cold / wet conditions, he reckoned 10 minutes sat in pitlane and it noticeably lost grip, although he did not get to ride it in the wet he said he would not be too confident after how it performed when cold (it is particularly hard to get heat into a tyre in the rain!)

The Roadsmart has always shone in comparsion tests and laptimes of riders who are not allowed to know the tyres they are on is always a good yardstick.

3 years on it has to be about time either Dunlop replace it, or someone comprehensively beats it - could be the PR3 is THE tyre for 2011

 

[Beemerman59]

Indeed, but when Dunlop launched the tyres they let the press out on same track in same conditions on several competitor tyres and all the testers did go quicker on the Dunlops, especially in the wet, however...

When my mate tested a Sportsmart (he is a race instructor / coach) he reckoned it took some warming up, whereas Dunlop like to claim it is almost as good as a Roadsmart in cold / wet conditions, he reckoned 10 minutes sat in pitlane and it noticeably lost grip, although he did not get to ride it in the wet he said he would not be too confident after how it performed when cold (it is particularly hard to get heat into a tyre in the rain!)

The Roadsmart has always shone in comparsion tests and laptimes of riders who are not allowed to know the tyres they are on is always a good yardstick.

3 years on it has to be about time either Dunlop replace it, or someone comprehensively beats it - could be the PR3 is THE tyre for 2011

They are not doing PR3's in 19" fitment as my supplier told me.

 

[Beemerman59]

Read on another thread that the new Dunlop Trailmax TR91 is highly rated, the roadsmart will look ok on a standard GS but out of place? on a GSA (in my opinion anyway). Good luck with whatever you choose, never known such a hot topic but as long as you feel confident on your new tyres then thats what matters.

Can't say I'm bothered what they look like, I'm more into what they do for me on the road.

 

[Balders1450]

Read on another thread that the new Dunlop Trailmax TR91 is highly rated, the roadsmart will look ok on a standard GS but out of place? on a GSA (in my opinion anyway). Good luck with whatever you choose, never known such a hot topic but as long as you feel confident on your new tyres then thats what matters.

Who the frig cares what it looks like, it's not a fashion parade!

 

[Dainese Brave]

Who the frig cares what it looks like, it's not a fashion parade!

+1 I'd choose good grip in the wet and dry over appearence any day!

I can't really see much visual difference on the bike between road and dual purpose tyres to be honest. It's only if you go for knobblies that I think the look changes....and I'd not like to be trusting them on a wet night in winter!

P.s I've had Road Attacks too...they're great tyres, good grip in wet and dry, and good life.

 

[Balders1450]

Just got home, with the RoadSmarts.... 60 mile so going steady, but the first thing I noticed is how they turn in so much quicker and easier, and the bike seems to be quieter/smoother, must be the road tread compared to trail type tread. Will finish scrubbing in tomorrow before a good blast!

 

[Rasher]

It's gonna be worn out before it is scrubbed in at your rate!

I always though tyres took a lot of scrubbing in until a mate started racing and would regularly scrub a tyre in on the sighting & warmup lap - 5 miles tops!

Still takes me a good 20 - 30 miles though.

 

[Rasher]

Went for a solo spin, really like them, I am leaning further and feeling safer.

Where the Tourance was only a few mm from the edge of tread (at lesser angles) the Roadsmart front has about 2 inches left, the profile goes so far around the tyre you would have to lean to about 70 degrees to ride off them.

The rear also has a more rounded profile, I am closer to the edge of this than the front, but again still have further to go than I did on Tourance.

Also as you get towards the edge of the tyres they become more slick and put down a really big footprint, personally not noticed a much faster turn in like some others mentioned, but I do think they may also be a bit smoother.

Can't wait to get them on some really good grippy roads, hopefully get to Wales later in the month and run them along the A483 (amongst others) - by which time the Wilburs will be fitted as well