I have the most recent issue of BIKE, and it has the test of Dunlop's new sport-touring tire, the Sportmax RoadSmart. It has a dual compound rear, like the 021 and Road2, which it was compared to. In all catagories the 021 was last, then the Road2, with the Dunlop taking top honors. I've looked on Dunlop's website, but see no info on the tire yet. Should i expect it not to come out for another 6 months after it comes out in europe, like the R2? I'm about ready to replace my 021s, and would try them out if i can get them, if not, it's another set of 021s for me.
BTW, they said the test bike they used in the test was a VFR (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
Well the mag listed them as as good as if not better that the Road2s (which they listed as better than the 021s), and the price they had was around 192 pounds... That's almost $400... I'd imagine the price would be between the 021s and the Road 2s.
tpierce(MP), Nov 29 2007, 10:30 PMWell the mag listed them as as good as if not better that the Road2s (which they listed as better than the 021s), and the price they had was around 192 pounds... That's almost $400... I'd imagine the price would be between the 021s and the Road 2s.
I would certainly want for a test of the actual production tire and not these special pre-production versions. They could be race rubber just for this testing purpose to get great reviews and then sell a different compound production version because these test tire only lasted 1000 miles! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
ps I have never like Dunlop street tires, my Dunlop Qualifier front is cupping Badly after only 1500 miles and is headed to the dumpster as it will not get another ride on it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
tpierce(MP), Nov 29 2007, 10:30 PMWell the mag listed them as as good as if not better that the Road2s (which they listed as better than the 021s), and the price they had was around 192 pounds... That's almost $400... I'd imagine the price would be between the 021s and the Road 2s.
I would certainly want for a test of the actual production tire and not these special pre-production versions. They could be race rubber just for this testing purpose to get great reviews and then sell a different compound production version because these test tire only lasted 1000 miles! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
ps I have never like Dunlop street tires, my Dunlop Qualifier front is cupping Badly after only 1500 miles and is headed to the dumpster as it will not get another ride on it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
Well I dont know much about those tires but they picked the right bike to test them with (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wheel.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
BonusVFR, Dec 15 2007, 04:45 PMSuperBike Mag liked the Dunlops too. Here is a clip I found on the preproduction models
Again it's Not a Real test of the production tire!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As stated: This is not a normal tyre review; in fact the tyre we test in the video below is still a prototype.
There's No reality here until they test a production tire. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
The Superbike article did not indicate preproduction like the video but............I dunno. Superbike liked it anyway and said the Roadsmarts were available in UK now.
BonusVFR, Dec 15 2007, 04:45 PMSuperBike Mag liked the Dunlops too. Here is a clip I found on the preproduction models
Again it's Not a Real test of the production tire!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As stated: This is not a normal tyre review; in fact the tyre we test in the video below is still a prototype.
There's No reality here until they test a production tire. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
The Superbike article did not indicate preproduction like the video but............I dunno. Superbike liked it anyway and said the Roadsmarts were available in UK now.
Video is MCN
It could be out and great, just that the only info I saw was on the prototype tire. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Not a big Dunlop fan, just pulled of a front Qualifier with only 1600 miles on it because it was cupped badly and felt like shiet. I do like their 209 GP Ntec for the track though! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
BonusVFR, Dec 15 2007, 04:45 PMSuperBike Mag liked the Dunlops too. Here is a clip I found on the preproduction models
Again it's Not a Real test of the production tire!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As stated: This is not a normal tyre review; in fact the tyre we test in the video below is still a prototype.
There's No reality here until they test a production tire. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
The Superbike article did not indicate preproduction like the video but............I dunno. Superbike liked it anyway and said the Roadsmarts were available in UK now.
Video is MCN
It could be out and great, just that the only info I saw was on the prototype tire. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Not a big Dunlop fan, just pulled of a front Qualifier with only 1600 miles on it because it was cupped badly and felt like shiet. I do like their 209 GP Ntec for the track though! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
Only ones I have had on were the OEM 204s...............
I could not find the Roadsmart on the UK site (or USA) but it looks out of date anyway.
In the superbike test (Dec 2007 issue) they only had 3 t...........yres - PR2, BT021 and the Roadsmart. It was a 2 day track and road test. But no bar graphs or numbers of any kind ............they just said the Roadsmarts outperformed in every test except turn in. BT21s did best there but was on the bottom for everything else. The Bridestones were the only ones available when I spooned them on last Spring.
Superbike has to be biased towards performance and I am not sure they care about mileage/wear but again no graphs/individual categories to find out. Bikes they tested with the tires included the VFR, 750 GSXR, Z750 and BMW 1200GT.
Baileyrock, Dec 16 2007, 01:24 AMIt could be out and great, just that the only info I saw was on the prototype tire. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/+1.gif) The latest motoport magazine also has a write-up on how good the new Dunlop is compared to it's competitors. The editor also attended the session at the Dunlop track a couple of months ago where they used the pre production tire. No mention thereof in the review though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/491.gif) And it is not only the fact that the Dunlop was a pre production tire they used in this test, but also that they rode the competitors tires on the dry track in the morning when the track temparuters are likely a lot lower than after lunch.
Also this ssue of MP magazine where in the Dunlop review the Michelin PR2 came second to the Dunlop and was considered a lot better than the Bridgestone BT021, in the previous issue where the BT021 was reviewed the PR2 was at the bottom of the list of competitors. About a whole paragraph was dedicated to explaining why the PR2 sucked at almost everything. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/comp13.gif) Gives you an idea of how reliable some sources are.
October 3, 2007 - Kenny Pryde .. Journalists were allowed..
Sounds like the writer of the article wasn't there himself. Hear say on a pre production tire: not very reliable info. I'd wait untill some German magazine has something to say about the new Dunlops.
October 3, 2007 - Kenny Pryde .. Journalists were allowed..
Sounds like the writer of the article wasn't there himself. Hear say on a pre production tire: not very reliable info. I'd wait untill some German magazine has something to say about the new Dunlops.
Dunlop obviously has a huge amount of faith in this tyre because at the launch last week they lined-up the same bikes fitted with rubber from their closest two rivals to allow journalists what seemed to be a fair back-to-back test. On the high-speed handling circuit at Mireval the Roadsmarts were tried first, followed by the two rivals. Another nod to the performance of these tyres was the fact that Dunlop had a small fleet of Suzuki's banzai GSX-R750 for us to try this sports-touring biased tyre on. The race-to-road ethos has moved things on in Dunlop's sports tyre range - with the GP Racer/Racer Slick and Qualifier all benefiting from Dunlop's racing success in BSB, AMA and the smaller GP categories. The Roadsmart is no exception and its performance on a track was such that you had to keep reminding yourself that this isn't a track tyre. Tyre warm-up is quick, thanks again to technology from the racier members of the Sportsmax family and stability under braking for some of Mireval's numerous chicanes doesn't have the bike dancing about at all. Turn-in is impressive, allied to confidence-inspiring stability when cranked over, mid-turn. In comparison both the Michelins and the Bridgestones didn't have that stability on the brakes that the Dunlops had, while the Michelins seemed to flop into corners a little disconcertingly (disconcerting after the Dunlops, but fine when tested alone it has to be said.) Meanwhile the Bridgestones would have a mild shimmy when in the middle of a corner - far, far from dangerous before you ask, but they simply moved about a little. All-in-all the Dunlops were superior on the high-speed track. Added to the performance was the fact that Dunlop reckon that Roadsmarts will last 5% more than the tyres they replace - the D220ST - but only a long-term test in the real-world will tell. Either way the two-day test left us very impressed with the Roadsmarts these tyres are highly recommended.
I dunno, dark chocolate or light chocolate...which do you prefer? FWIW I love my Dunlop Qualifiers and I look forward to these for the VFR. If you ride hard, the Qualifier is done in about 4000mi; I get about the same mileage out of the tires on either the VFR or the TLR. Be nice to get more than that on the VFR. BTW, if you are running Dunlop tires, ask your local rep for a recomended tire preasure...my rep advised running 33 front on the VFR and 31 on the TLR...27psi at the track.
spotthedogg, Dec 17 2007, 10:57 AMDunlop Roadsmart tyres 08 October 2007 - News & Reviews - Product Reviews
All-in-all the Dunlops were superior on the high-speed track. Added to the performance was the fact that Dunlop reckon that Roadsmarts will last 5% more than the tyres they replace - the D220ST - but only a long-term test in the real-world will tell. Either way the two-day test left us very impressed with the Roadsmarts these tyres are highly recommended.
Star rating: *****
Any idea if this test was done on the actual Production tire or still the Prototype versions like the other tests? Also they make no reference to wear or street feel which are both important to buyers in this group, if they didn't last 25-50% then Qualifiers then I would have no interest. As I mentioned in a earlier post, I pulled my Qualifier front off after only 1600 miles from bad cupping and poor feel for my type of riding. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
spotthedogg, Dec 17 2007, 10:57 AMDunlop Roadsmart tyres 08 October 2007 - News & Reviews - Product Reviews
All-in-all the Dunlops were superior on the high-speed track. Added to the performance was the fact that Dunlop reckon that Roadsmarts will last 5% more than the tyres they replace - the D220ST - but only a long-term test in the real-world will tell. Either way the two-day test left us very impressed with the Roadsmarts these tyres are highly recommended.
Star rating: *****
Any idea if this test was done on the actual Production tire or still the Prototype versions like the other tests? Also they make no reference to wear or street feel which are both important to buyers in this group, if they didn't last 25-50% then Qualifiers then I would have no interest. As I mentioned in a earlier post, I pulled my Qualifier front off after only 1600 miles from bad cupping and poor feel for my type of riding. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
THis looks to be the same early Oct journalist test that the Superbike Mag wrote up. Possible production tires as the first MCN preproduction clip/video was back in late June.
Very nice, i'll definently be asking my local tire place again about them. Although at over $400 for a set when i can get BT021s for well under $300 mounted... I guess i'll have to see what they can get them for.
Any other info on the Roadsmarts? Ive ordered PR2's from my dealer and we're still waiting for the rear to come in as we have been for 2 months. Even though i loved my last two sets of PR's, im wanting to experiment a bit now with different tires/milages. I kind of gave up on Dunlops after always having cupping issues with the front tires on my 51 as well as the VFR. But, im thinking maybe the roadsmarts are a different animal all together, and i can get them cheaper than the PR2's.
Any upcoming feedback would be appreciated! For this bike, im mainly looking for uniform/even treadwear and mileage.
Adam30, Mar 7 2008, 03:52 PMAm I correct in learning that the Roadsmart's dual rubber compound is only on the rear tire and not on the front?
Probably. The 021's are that way. BTW, avoid 021's. They turn in great for the first one third of tread life then turn into garbage truck tires for handling. I have a set of worn out (thank goodness) 021's on my 6th gen. Definitely gonna put on something better for TMAC.
Seems to me that the tire industry doesn't have dual compound tires figured out yet for the street...just my 3 cents. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
Well, just got back from dropping my '02 off for the wiring recall, and ordered a set of RoadSmarts for them to throw on while the bike's there. They didnt stock them, but said they soon would be, and also said that I would be their guinea pig, as i'm the first set they've sold. $236 for the pair, and $20 each to mount/balance. I did the shopping last week, and that's as cheap if not cheaper than anyplace on the web that i've found when you figure in shipping, etc. Some places offered free shipping on two or more tires....but the price of the tires themselves were a few bucks more.
My only fear is the front cupping up like my past dunlops and friends' dunlops have, and yes I'm very anal about tire pressure. I'm hoping these will be ok. My last two sets of pilot roads have worn excellent and even, so it was hard to decide to switch. Ive got about 8k miles on the set now, and the rear is shot but the front could go another 1.5k miles, so the treadlife was satisfactory too. But I still wanted to try something new, and the pilot road 2 rear is still on backorder and was more $$, which is also why i decided to try these. We'll see...
End of thread · 33 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 19 May 2009
