Initial Review Of Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart Tires

I got these tires mounted up at the beginning of the month as replacements for my worn out BT-021s. I was totally happy with my 021s and reading everywhere that these tires are supposed to be a good bit better than the 021s, nearly on par if not a little better than the PR-2s for a good bit less $$, i couldn't pass them up. First impressions are that they seem to have lived up to the hype. I haven't really had a chance to push them much, as the temps here are still cool and the roads are just now being washed of the salt, but they seem like a good, stable, quiet tire with good traction. The rear tire is a dual compound piece, as the 021s and PR-2s, so i'll see what kind of mileage i get, i end up doing a lot ~80% of my riding on the highways, i end up killing the middle of my tires, but i was able to get about 7300 miles from the 021s. At almost exactly $300 mounted an balanced, the Dunlops are about $30 more than the 'stones, but still around $150 less than the Michelins. I'll report back in as i get more miles on them and actually get a chance to throw them around.

Thanks for the initial impressions. Keep us posted on your experiences as the miles add up, especially the tire's ability in the twisties. And final mileage, of course, though that will vary with rider, weather and road surfaces.

OK... dual compound for the RoadSmart rear tire. How about the 2 CT's - both tires dual compound or just the REAR?

The best news about the new Dunlop Roadsmart tires is the price. I don't think Michelin will be able to justify a huge $$ premium much longer. Logically ALL tire prices should be driven down (especially the 'older tech' tires), and eventually all tires will perform at the new dual compound levels.

Long live competition in the market place!

Brian

I dropped my '02 off last week for the recall and decided to go with the Roadsmarts as well. They're installing them on the bike for $276 including the mounting/balancing, etc., which I thought was plenty reasonable for the dealer, and would be the same as if i wouldve bought them online and had them installed.

They're supposed to be dropping the bike off here today. If the weather improves this week or next, i'll be trying them out soon. BTW, my last two sets have been Pilot Roads, but the new PR2's just seemed a bit too high on price for me this time.

Holy canoli! 276 installed. That is a steal. I thought the same thing when I got my recall done last week. Why not get some new rubber while I'm here right? So I asked the service guy if they had any tire specials and he said yeah, we got Dunlop roadsmarts at 30% off. Great I say, let's price em. So, with a 30% "discount" they still wanted $410.00 total! I almost fell over backwards and then I see this thread as I'm doing a tire search. Frickin' rip off artists. It's no wonder I've only taken my bike there for a recall since I've bought it. I'll keep looking. Thanks for this thread. I knew that they were trying to screw me. Oh, and they scratched my temp guage glass when they did the recall (have no idea how) and then they denied it. Don't go to Interstate Honda in Northern Colorado! Bastards!

I just spooned on a set of the roadsmarts. This is my first sporttouring tire in a long time. I bought them to hopefully get some extra wear. Me, my wife (on her SV650s with high bars), and 3 guys from work are riding to the grand canyon at the end of June, and I need tires with some legs. I will be riding to work almost every day for training, so I will post up how I like these.

I'd like to hear more about the Roadsmarts, also. Bikebandit has them for 42% off this week, and if they are like the BT-021, that would be awesome. I have been adverse to the Dunlop brand- cupping experienced on a front D205. The Roadsmart's tread looks similar to the BT-021. I'd be willing to reconsider Dunlop if this new lineup gets good reviews from other members.

$150 less than the Michelins? I got the PR2s locally for $320+tax, free mount/balance.

[image: View Post]DDO-VFR, on Mar 17 2008, 08:30 AM, said:

The best news about the new Dunlop Roadsmart tires is the price. I don't think Michelin will be able to justify a huge $$ premium much longer. Logically ALL tire prices should be driven down (especially the 'older tech' tires), and eventually all tires will perform at the new dual compound levels.

Long live competition in the market place!

Brian

dont forget....tires are made with lots of oil based products...i wouldn't expect tire prices to see much drop anytime soon.

I have a set of Smarts ready to go.................just trying to get my last cords worth out of my BT21s. Rear should make 5k about average for my sport touring tires.