New Shoes

[Grumpy Goat]

THX. I'm at the end of life for my current Road 4s, 13K kms on them. Front is done, rear might have another 1000-2000 kms in it if I milk it a bit more. Had a bad experience with a set of Dunlops on another bike and am very hesitant to go back to them.

Just goes to show how riding style does affect tire wear, as well as road surface and riding mission profile(s). Timewise, I mostly commute on mostly suburban streets to/from work (pre-pandemic) while I go for weekend rides when the mood strikes me. Twice a year I go on long rides of at least 1500 miles and up to 3000 miles or so.

Assuming that both your tires were replaced at the same time, your front wore out faster than your rear, and you got 13k km (8k miles) out of them so far, while Duccrazydave got only less than 5k miles. I typically wear my rear tire out significantly before the front, but I know of at least one other riding buddy on this forum who wears out front before rear.

I too like Michelin Road 4s (never had the Road 5) and IIRC I believe up to 11k miles on a front tire, while on the rear I have had about 10k miles. I expect I would get similar from the Road 5 if I were to try them. On my bike, the Road 4s exhibited cupping of the front tire well before they were worn out - that was my only problem with them. Rear tire wear was even and typically the centre wears out before the sides (south Texas is not really known for twisties but more for big flat high speed straights).

As for the Dunlop Roadsmart 3 - this has been my go-to tire since my Road 4s. Good dry and wet adhesion and feel, quick warm up time, good turn-in ability, and good tire wear. Best of all, no cupping on the front tire. From what I have heard so far the Roadsmart 4s are even better, and will be my next tire choice for the RS.

I am curious to know what you did not like about whichever Dunlop you had in the past.