Preview: Dunlop Roadsmart Tire

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Preview: Dunlop Roadsmart Tire

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[acecycleins]

Link is broke

[sarnali2]

The biggest problem I've had with Dunlops is wear. While the D205's were passable, the D220 which is their replacement was a ridicules 5k winter mile tire. Totally unacceptable for this area and my budget, tires in the PNW usually show virtually no wear in the winter because of cold road temps and constant rain plus our roads are mostly all asphalt instead of chip sealed. Makes them easier on tires though chains take a beating. As it happens I use D571's on the Harley which are as close to a radial you can get, if this tire came out in a similar bias design but near radial characteristics like the D571 I'd be interested in trying a set.

Dunlops are very good rain tires, they just don't last as long as Michilins or Avons if this tire proves the exception then it should do well.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by sarnali2

The biggest problem I've had with Dunlops is wear. While the D205's were passable, the D220 which is their replacement was a ridicules 5k winter mile tire. Totally unacceptable for this area and my budget, tires in the PNW usually show virtually no wear in the winter because of cold road temps and constant rain plus our roads are mostly all asphalt instead of chip sealed. Makes them easier on tires though chains take a beating. As it happens I use D571's on the Harley which are as close to a radial you can get, if this tire came out in a similar bias design but near radial characteristics like the D571 I'd be interested in trying a set.

Dunlops are very good rain tires, they just don't last as long as Michilins or Avons if this tire proves the exception then it should do well.

I got about 9K out of D205s on my GSX1100G. About 11K on Avon ST tires. Currently I'm running Michelin Pilot Roads on the ZRX1100 and put 5K on them last year and they look pretty good still. From the wear they may do better than the Avons. They stick as well as anything, are better on the occasional dirt road, are good in the rain and don't cup like the Dunlops.

I guess the main "improvement" for the D220s is the improvement to Dunlop's bottom line. With the restrictions one has to deal with on public roads I think that super sport tires are pretty much a waste of money. I've used Pirelli Dragons and all I got for my trouble was 4.5K miles and no notable handling improvement. Maybe if I spent time on the track it's matter.

I'll stick with the higher mileage ST tires, thank you.

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

I got about 9K out of D205s on my GSX1100G. About 11K on Avon ST tires. Currently I'm running Michelin Pilot Roads on the ZRX1100 and put 5K on them last year and they look pretty good still. From the wear they may do better than the Avons. They stick as well as anything, are better on the occasional dirt road, are good in the rain and don't cup like the Dunlops.

I guess the main "improvement" for the D220s is the improvement to Dunlop's bottom line. With the restrictions one has to deal with on public roads I think that super sport tires are pretty much a waste of money. I've used Pirelli Dragons and all I got for my trouble was 4.5K miles and no notable handling improvement. Maybe if I spent time on the track it's matter.

I'll stick with the higher mileage ST tires, thank you.

I ran a sport front and a S/T rear on the ST4. With that combo they would both wear out at the same time. I hate having one new tire and one half-shagged.

[Kenneth_Moore]

I was pretty interested in these tires as we're about 4 months away from monsoon season, and the Trailwings on the DL1k (which are not good in the wet on pavement) will be about done by then. But, the darn 19" front wheel is the "gotcha" for me. I'm thinking the Michelin Pilots might be a good choice for a pure street tire replacement. I'm not going offroad or trail riding in spite of having a DS bike.

[sarnali2]

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

I was pretty interested in these tires as we're about 4 months away from monsoon season, and the Trailwings on the DL1k (which are not good in the wet on pavement) will be about done by then. But, the darn 19" front wheel is the "gotcha" for me. I'm thinking the Michelin Pilots might be a good choice for a pure street tire replacement. I'm not going offroad or trail riding in spite of having a DS bike.

I've got Pilot Roads on the Bandit with close to 10k on them and still plenty of life left, I'm not sure what the improvement is with the Pilots but as a general rule you can't beat Michilins. I'll probably got to Pirelli Sport Demons on the Dyna next, there's not a lot of performance tire options in the 19/16 combination

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by sarnali2

I've got Pilot Roads on the Bandit with close to 10k on them and still plenty of life left, I'm not sure what the improvement is with the Pilots but as a general rule you can't beat Michilins. I'll probably got to Pirelli Sport Demons on the Dyna next, there's not a lot of performance tire options in the 19/16 combination

Good thing there's not a lot of performance in a Dyna either!

[sarnali2]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Good thing there's not a lot of performance in a Dyna either!

When all 60 of them nags wake up and get a move on it'll run right up to a hunnert without breakin' a sweat !!!

[Kenneth_Moore]

Originally Posted by sarnali2

I've got Pilot Roads on the Bandit with close to 10k on them and still plenty of life left, I'm not sure what the improvement is with the Pilots but as a general rule you can't beat Michilins. I'll probably got to Pirelli Sport Demons on the Dyna next, there's not a lot of performance tire options in the 19/16 combination

I always ran the Avon Venom tires on my FX. Great grip wet or dry, decent milage, and they looked good too!

The Stromtroopers website has a thread with two or three pure street tires for the DL. Then there's the threads where guys are trying to put a 17" wheel on the bike for more street choices, and a 21" wheel for more dirt choices!