Tire Information

[BobAin'tStoppin']

I think you guys have convinced me to try the Dunlops next time. Currently on T31 Bridgestones that have 6700 miles on them. So lots of life left on this set. My problem is that I need to wear these out before the fall meet up in September. That trip is scheduled to be 6000 miles so I'll need new skins to start the trip. Given the current situations I'm not sure I
ll be able to fully use the T31s before mid August First world problems :-)

[Grumpy Goat]

Bob, I think that you'd be pleased with the Dunlops. We have similar riding styles and for me they are a great balance of value, grip (dry ... have not personally tested them in the wet but they are reputed to be good), and longevity.

[Lee]

I think you guys have convinced me to try the Dunlops next time. Currently on T31 Bridgestones that have 6700 miles on them. So lots of life left on this set. My problem is that I need to wear these out before the fall meet up in September. That trip is scheduled to be 6000 miles so I'll need new skins to start the trip. Given the current situations I'm not sure I
ll be able to fully use the T31s before mid August First world problems :-)

Watch for rebates later in the year. Right now there's a $60 rebate that ends April 30th.

I'm undecided on our next sets, Road Smarts again, or try to find Pilot Road 4s.
The PR4s were my favorite tires.

[Ray]

Watch for rebates later in the year. Right now there's a $60 rebate that ends April 30th.

I'm undecided on our next sets, Road Smarts again, or try to find Pilot Road 4s.
The PR4s were my favorite tires.

For the record, I've enjoyed my time on the Dunlops, and they do take longer to wear out.

Just as the folks in Minnesota report that fuel demand has dropped prices, I suspect tire prices will also plummet later this year. As Lee implies - big(ger) rebates to come.

"Ride it out."

[Grumpy Goat]

Watch for rebates later in the year. Right now there's a $60 rebate that ends April 30th.

Looks like I can get $20 back. Thanks Lee. Check details here.

[Grumpy Goat]

Looks like I can get $20 back. Thanks Lee. Check details here.

UPDATE - I cannot get the $20 back. The rebate only applies to in-store purchases, not online. I got mine online from Revzilla.

[BobAin'tStoppin']

The reason I have hesitated on the roadsmarts is that the only tires I have ever not liked were Dunlop. I think the model was 205. This was on my 1100RS They were pretty bad. Best tires I ever used were Avon, again on the 1100RS. They were the only tire I felt comfortable with going on a track. Now, at my age, I suppose any tire is good enough for what I do.

[Grumpy Goat]

The reason I have hesitated on the roadsmarts is that the only tires I have ever not liked were Dunlop. I think the model was 205. This was on my 1100RS They were pretty bad. Best tires I ever used were Avon, again on the 1100RS. They were the only tire I felt comfortable with going on a track. Now, at my age, I suppose any tire is good enough for what I do.

Were these the Dunlops? K205?

Tires have come a long way since 40 years ago. As far as I know there is no brand of sport tire with a tread pattern like on the K205 so maybe there is a reason why tire design has evolved the way it has. I have no direct knowledge myself, only opinion in this case.

[Duccrazydave]

The reason I have hesitated on the roadsmarts is that the only tires I have ever not liked were Dunlop. I think the model was 205. This was on my 1100RS They were pretty bad. Best tires I ever used were Avon, again on the 1100RS. They were the only tire I felt comfortable with going on a track. Now, at my age, I suppose any tire is good enough for what I do.

I'm with you Bob. Not necessarily from my own bikes (I've only owned 2 street bikes before the RS), but from the many I've worked on and ridden. The Dunlop consistently had weird wear characteristics compared to other brands. Especially in the bias ply days. I was convinced, early on in my RS ownership, that Metzeler would be the way to go. Turns out the Dunlop Roadsmart 3 was an excellent tire for me. Consistent and stable handling as well as even wear throughout it's service life. Both the Z8 & Roadtec 01 flattened out the center quicker than the Dunlop. Not to mention a slightly better price. What do I have now? Michelin Road 5 Can't help my curiosity, since there are so many great choices.

[MrVvrroomm]

My tire-buying philosophy is by the three R's: round, rubber, rebate.

[BobAin'tStoppin']

Wayne, the Dunlops were the current sport radial in 2000 or so. You could feel the back squirming around during normal riding. Specifically, I remember riding the blue ridge, which is typically a around 60mph or less, and complaining.

Looks like I’m not the only one with bad memories of Dunlop.

[Grumpy Goat]

Turns out the Dunlop Roadsmart 3 was an excellent tire for me. Consistent and stable handling as well as even wear throughout it's service life. Both the Z8 & Roadtec 01 flattened out the center quicker than the Dunlop. Not to mention a slightly better price.

I hear you Dave. I also found that the Dunlop Roadsmart III wore better than the Michelin Pilot Road 4s that I used in the past. Front tire exhibits much less cupping, and the rear tire stays rounder and for longer than the Michelins.

[Grumpy Goat]

Wayne, the Dunlops were the current sport radial in 2000 or so. You could feel the back squirming around during normal riding. Specifically, I remember riding the blue ridge, which is typically a around 60mph or less, and complaining.

Looks like I’m not the only one with bad memories of Dunlop.

Oh, must have not been the K205 then, which was the sport-touring tire in the 80's, according to Dunlop's product page. I was going by your recollection of the tire being "205 of something" ... No worries.

I agree if it is squirmy at BRP legal speeds then the it is crap. The speed limit on the BRP maxes out at 45 mph so speeds less than 60 are typical, and any good tire should not even notice those speeds let alone squirm.

[BobAin'tStoppin']

Wayne, I didn't say anything about legal speeds

[Olgry1]

Wayne, I didn't say anything about legal speeds

I am with you Bob. The last time I was on the Parkway was with my friend Terry. An officer stopped us and said he had been "chasing" us for 10 miles.
When he finally caught up to us.....we were going 45mph. My Valentine saved us again.

Personally I like the Dunlop III Road Smarts in the dry for their durability and and overall handling. I do not care for them in the wet as they do not seem to cut through the water as well as the Road 5s and the Pirelli Angel GT 11 I have ridden on recently. My next tires will probably be the Michelin Road 5 GT.

[Duccrazydave]

Haven't experienced any wet weather in the short time I've had the Michelin's. But I will say, these have the softest compound of any of the dual compound tires I've encountered so far. Had a couple of 120 mile Sundays in the twisties and they are sticky!

[Grumpy Goat]

Wayne, I didn't say anything about legal speeds

Hahaha ... Oh I know what you were implying ... I know how you ride ...

[Grumpy Goat]

Personally I like the Dunlop III Road Smarts in the dry for their durability and and overall handling. I do not care for them in the wet as they do not seem to cut through the water as well as the Road 5s and the Pirelli Angel GT 11 I have ridden on recently.

Will have to watch for the wet weather performance, John as I have no experience with both RSIII tires in the wet.

I do have good experience on my half worn front RSIII tire in lots of rain returning from my last Arkansas trip and there were no issues. But then I was not hitting any tight curves in the wet either. The rear tire was the almost smooth at centre PR4 GT that featured in my tire removal failure video. Even that presented no problems.

[BobAin'tStoppin']

Hi All, An update on tires. I have 6900 miles on the T31 Bridgestones. They are squaring off, which is no surprise since most miles have been upright. But the front is the one showing most of the squaring. That's new to me. The bike steers pretty heavy. So today I ordered the roadsmart 3 from a site that's new to me - 2wheels.com. Good price at $250 for the set and free shipping/no sales tax. I'll have them on for the Lake Louise/Gunnison trip. Hopefully the Canadian border will be open for that!

[Duccrazydave]

Surprise, surprise. After our Colorado (and eventually Arkansas) riding, I've conceded the demise of my Michelin Road 5's. 4550 miles may be a new personal record for wearing out a set of tires. Considering the bi-weekly thrashings received on NC route 66, I'm not complaining. Looking forward to some more info on the Roadsmart 4's. Until then, I'll probably wear out another set of Michelin's