Dunlop RoadSmart

I have to say that I am pretty impressed by the Dunlop Roadsmarts that came installed from the factory on my VFR1200!
They behave really good both on the dry and in the rain. They are amazing in the twisties too! Plus, they still look pretty good even after 2500km
I don't think I will even bother trying something else when my rear tyre needs replaced.
Not sure what you guys with the Bridgestones think but if unhappy, I highly recommend the RoadSmarts.

 

My rear roadsmart outlasted my front with my last set. The rear is dual compound and the front isn't. I got 7200 miles out of mine. Decided to try the pilot road 2's this time around, i like them better so far, they turn in quicker.

 

dunlop

I really didn't like the Roadsmart rear. Too hard, and spun up too easy in the corner exits. Had a nail, so went to Pirelli Angel. Much better traction in my opinion.

 

I'm not as impressed with the Roadsmarts, or as my buddy referred to them after he tried my bike: "rim protectors"

For how fast they wore out I would have expected more grip. My back tire was square after 4500Km.

I've got the Pirelli Angels on there now... Haven't done many miles on them yet though.

 

I am also not that impressed with the Roadsmarts. My front is down to the wear indicator after 2200 miles and about 1mm left on the rear. I ride the front quite hard and have never had full confidence in them. I replace them with Bridgestone BT-023 but they won't be out in the Uk in right size until Nov. Will probably put Michelin PR3s on in the next week or so as I have heard good things. Ade

 

I haven't had any problems with them, but only have a few thousand miles on them and have used them almost exclusively for commute duty. But they have done what I asked them to thus far.

 

They are good tires for sport touring and commuting, especially for the money. For very aggressive riding there are better choices.

 

I wasn't a fan of the Roadsmarts either. I prefer more of a > shaped tire and the Roadsmarts are more ) I also found them a bit squirrly when really leaned over and on the gas hard. I got approximately 3,422 miles out of them and the cords were showing on the rear.

I am a pretty aggressive rider though, and often ride 2-up. Pirelli hooked me up with a set of their new Rosso II. It's more of a trackday tire. I love the profile, and the grip is exceptional. I'm at 2,886 miles and only have a few hundred miles before they'll need replacing.

 

VFROARR, if the tires work for you, more power to ya. No tire can satisfy everyones needs. I really liked mine, they were good and stable for everyday(non-aggressive) duties and since I had nothing to compare them to I considered buying another set. My only complaint is that the front tire will cup if you ride on the freeway alot and/or don't watch your tire pressure. I had heard alot of good things about the Michelin Pilot Road 2's and after putting a thousand miles on those in the last week or so I can definitely say(minus treadwear rating) that I prefer them over the roadsmarts. Just the way they feel when you toss the bike into a corner and their unwavering stability over various road surfaces really builds confidence. They do tend to run a little more expensive than the roadsmarts, but if I get better mileage like folks are saying it will all be worth it.

 

Hmm....I did like the Roadsmarts a lot but was a bit concerned that it was a tire made for the Honda, so not the same as you would buy in the shop. So at about 6k miles I went for the Pilot Road 2CT's.
A friend advised me to use the Pilot Power 2CT in front as the Road is a heavy tire and would turn harder. I didn't take his advice and IMHO the Michelins do make the bike harder to flick into a corner but you get used to that and the improved stability is awesome.

Also they warm up very fast. Even in the cold and wet they get pretty warm. Recently I went too hot into a familiar corner with cold tires and on the brakes but no sweat at all.

Still, next time I'll go for the Pilot Power in front as I'm real easy on tires and the Power is a very neutral tire.

Just my 2 cents etc.

 

Mounting a new set of Roadsmarts as we speak. Be advised that we are talking tires here. As far a riding style goes, I think I ride as fast and agressively as Casey Stoner. Doesn't everyone?

 

Glad to read that many found suitable tires for their riding style and preferences

I am usually a big Pirelli fan, I had the Corsa III on my CBR1000RR and loved them.

As this is my point of reference, I guess I could haved said that ''relatively'' speaking, I am quite impressed with the RoadSmarts as for an OEM tire, the heavier weight of the VFR and a ''not as sporty'' vocation, I was expecting way less than that from the whole bike + tires package, compared to the CBR.

Mind you, I only have 2500km on the bike and thus far, I have not seen any signs of scuffing, rear tire is not squarred, etc. My opinion could change if this occurs and that I achieve poor mileage out of them.

I'm sure there are better choices out there in terms of handling, adherence, etc.

It's all about finding the ideal compromise that suits us (stickier usually means less mileage, etc.), isin't it.

I am myself not a Michelin fan (for neither cars or bikes) so should I need to experiment, I would probably give a shot to the Pirellis (I also read pretty good reviews on the Metzeller Z8).

Ride hard!

 

Not inespesive

Was quoted $400 + $100 to mount and balance after an alleged 36% sale price dunlop discount from delaer supplier Parts unlimited by my nearby dealer. Was not really thrilled with those numbers but the alternatives were not obviously better suited to my sport touring / commuter needs and they were more expensive so......we'll report back in three weeks after a 5Kmi round trip to CO.

Dunlop Sportmax Q2 was not an especially durable commuter tire. Less than 5K on the rear.

 

I don't know where you went for those tires but that is a ripoff, you should be able to get both for less than 300 plus mounting.

 

tire prices

cycle gear
150 rear 110 front 20each to mount/balance; about 300 for a pair of good tires installed on the wheels. you take your wheels to them.

 

I over 7k miles on my OE tires but here in the panhandle of FL and lower AL it's mostly straight line riding. Best thing I like is they seem to work well in the wet conditions and ride nicely but then again I don't ride very hard I guess. Always check the pressure before I ride. I noticed that the front seems to show more wear than the rear.

 

The front roadsmart seems to wear out first. I think its due to the rear being dual compound while the front is just a single compound tire.

 

we have two vfr 1200 (his and hers) got 4000 miles out of the road smarts. fronts got pretty wavey by thge time we got back from the dragons tail causing some head shake.
we have replaced them with road pilot 2's. much quicker turn in and really grippy in the corners. not sure how long they will last but for now we like them alot.
on a side note one of them surges when trying to maintain a constant speed between 4200/5200 rpm in 6th.
don't like that much but over all we really enjoy the bikes

 

After a 3600Km trip on the Pirelli Angels I will never go back. The Angels are superb.

 

I also wore out the front Roadsmart before the rear, but the rear was fairly close. Replaced them both with expensive Mich Pilot Power 2CTs at 5750 miles. Paid too much for them but it was what was available and I was on a deadline. I had read good things about both the Pilot Power and Pilot Road.

I didn't realize how squirley the Roadsmart front was until I put the PP2ct on. it's a totally different front end now. Takes a little more effort to initiate a turn but once into it, it's smooth, very predictable, and stays on your line. Much more confidence inspiring. I always felt like the Roadsmart was fighting me, not wanting to stay over and not sure if it was going to grip or not. None of that with the PP2ct. These rock!

Depending on tread life, I may try the Pilot Roads next but if I get good milage from these, I like them enough to get another set.