New Tires Being Installed on the RS

[Lee]

    
     6326 miles on tires
     Front - 4.5, 3.0, 4.5
     Rear - 6.5, 4.0, 6.5

6,200 miles on our Pilot Road 4s after two trips to Colorado on mostly 2 lane roads.
4/32" depth on the front and 3/32" at the back measured at the center.
Your front tire has worn more evenly than our front tires.

[darrell]

    
     6326 miles on tires
     Front - 4.5, 3.0, 4.5
     Rear - 6.5, 4.0, 6.5

6,200 miles on our Pilot Road 4s after two trips to Colorado on mostly 2 lane roads.
4/32" depth on the front and 3/32" at the back measured at the center.
Your front tire has worn more evenly than our front tires.

Yours have more center thread depth on the front and less on the rear. These Roadsmart IV have worn very evenly. I had a long call with Dunlop yesterday on the tires and they acknowledge the tire they want to compare themselves to are the Road 5 model but with better handling and wear characteristics. They are pricing the tires about $20 less than the MSRP on the Road 5 tires. Of course MSRP really means nothing as retail stores and dealers can price and sell Dunlop tires any place from the MAP (minimum advertised price) on up. Less rebates if you buy from a Dunlop Pro dealer. The Roadsmart III will continue to be produced and will be considered a more economy priced tire (same quality as now) to compete with lower priced tires on the market. There is about a $100 difference for a pair between the Roadsmart III and Roadsmart IV tires. I'm in awe of the handling and wear characteristics especially on the front tire. I'll run another couple thousand miles on these the next few days as heading out tomorrow morning either to Arkansas or Alabama. I'll decide where when I get south a couple of days and look at weather.

[Olgry1]

I have Michelin Road 5 GTs on my RT now with 1,900 miles on them. So far they seem nice but I have not put any miles on them outside of the interstate to and from Colorado.

[Lee]

I'll run another couple thousand miles on these the next few days as heading out tomorrow morning either to Arkansas or Alabama.

Try to remember to take a close picture of the rear tire when it's done.

[Grumpy Goat]

The Roadsmart III will continue to be produced and will be considered a more economy priced tire (same quality as now) to compete with lower priced tires on the market. There is about a $100 difference for a pair between the Roadsmart III and Roadsmart IV tires. I'm in awe of the handling and wear characteristics especially on the front tire.

While I like the RS3, if the RS4 is as good as you suggest and has comparable life I'd pay the $100 difference. If it gets close to the Michelin in price then that would make the choice harder.

I still have in the back of my mind that I would like to try Continental Road Attack 3s.

[Chris216]

Does anybody know when the RS4's are actually going to be available? I'd really like to try these as the RS3 is one of my favorites.
Thanks
Chris

[darrell]

Does anybody know when the RS4's are actually going to be available? I'd really like to try these as the RS3 is one of my favorites.
Thanks
Chris

During my call with Dunlop a couple of days ago they told me all Dunlop Pro dealers have access to ordering these from their normal suppliers now.

[Chris216]

Thanks Darrell, I'll have to search around some more.
Chris

[Chris216]

Well the local (about 30 miles away) Yamaha dealer is a Dunlop Pro Dealer and they quoted me a decent price for the RS4s, so I ordered them. You get spoiled by internet ordering with no tax though... I also ordered a Nomar Classic HD tire changer, so we'll see how they both work. My wallet is officially empty now.

Chris

[darrell]

Good choice on the tire changer. I sold mine 3 years ago as got tired of being the tire changing center for every other BMW rider who knew I had one. Miss it at times. Will be fun to get your experience with the tires. I just got back last night from a 2200 mile ride to southern Missouri and north central Arkansas. I have 8600 miles on my set of Roadsmart IV. Need to clean the bike and then will measure how much thread depth I have remaining. I know I would not leave with this set on another 2000 or 3000 mile ride but still some miles left on them.

[Chris216]

Thanks Darrell, sounds like you were down my way. If you ever get to SW Missouri shoot me a message, may be we can get a ride in. I know some pretty good roads locally.

Chris

[darrell]

Thanks Darrell, sounds like you were down my way. If you ever get to SW Missouri shoot me a message, may be we can get a ride in. I know some pretty good roads locally.

Chris

Thanks for the invite to stop. I was in Springfield for one night as wanted to stay at the Best Western built in 1938 right on Rte 66, visited the Air and Military Museum and an old gas station from the depression years west of town. I get down that way frequently so will stop by the next time and have you take me on some roads I’ve likely never rode.

Keep us updated on the tires.

[Chris216]

Sounds good, I'm right down on the Arkansas border just off the 65.

Chris

[Lee]

You get spoiled by internet ordering with no tax though...
Chris

Depends where you live and where you order from. A lot of times we pay taxes on internet orders.
I'm lucky the guy I go to about 65 miles away usually is about the same as internet prices.
The closet place for us to get tires mounted is 35 miles. We have gone to the guy in Des Moines for years because his prices are good, so I don't mind driving a little further.

You might want to pay for the tires before they arrive. The current rebate runs out Sep 30th.
They'll probably have another rebate this winter but you never know.
The rebate is $40 and $60 if the dealer mounts them.
https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/re...ubmission/

[Chris216]

Lee, yeah I already paid for the tires, but I'm going to mount them. I had to pay tax on the Nomar as they're in state. I've been spoiled on tires by Revzilla and the like for years now.

Chris

[Chris216]

Lee, just checked out the rebate link, doesn't look like the RS4s are on it. Thanks though.

Chris

[Lee]

Lee, just checked out the rebate link, doesn't look like the RS4s are on it. Thanks though.

Chris

I bet they will honor it.
I didn't look if there was a number or email to contact them and ask.

[Lee]

Lee, yeah I already paid for the tires, but I'm going to mount them. I had to pay tax on the Nomar as they're in state. I've been spoiled on tires by Revzilla and the like for years now.

Chris

Sometimes I order online and have the tires shipped to Texas.
No tax with Revzilla going to Texas but J&P charges tax.
J&P used to be in Iowa but I believe they are in Texas now.

[darrell]

Information provided Dunlop on Roadsmart IV at 8674 miles.

----------------------

Dunlop Roadsmart IV Tire Performance Update
Motorcycle - BMW 2016 R1200RS 
Darrell Penning Recording Data

Tread depth is measured in 4 spots in each of 3 areas around the tire in the order of 1” from left sidewall, center, and 1” from right sidewall.  Depths listed are in 32nd of an inch. 

Tire pressures are check and adjusted if necessary every 2 - 3 days regardless of miles rode. Pressures are checked in the morning before riding so tires are cold. Pressures are maintained at psi 38 front and 42 rear using a calibrated dial gauge for pressure checks. 

———————————————————

Collection of Roadsmart IV Tire Information

August 12, 2020
     Installed new tires at Moon Motorsports in Monticello, MN, a Dunlop Pro Dealer
     Mileage at 107,000
     Front - 5.0, 5.0, 5.0
     Rear - 8.0, 8.0, 8.0


August 25, 2020
     Mileage at 109070 - Whitewood, SD
     2070 miles on tires
     Front - 5.0, 4.5, 5.0
     Rear - 8.0, 7.0, 8.0
     Road conditions - generally flat with some sweeping curves in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Panhandle of Nebraska as I’m riding in central plains of the US. Most miles on roads of well worn black top and concrete surfaces. 300 miles of 4 lane highways.
     Speeds - generally in the 65 - 70 mph range. Maximum speed of 90 mph for 200 miles on interstates I25 and I90 in South Dakota.
     Temperature/Weather - ranged from 65 to 107 with the majority of the time in the mid 80’s to mid 90's. No wet roads. Skies are generally sunny so road temperatures are warm with 1000 miles of hazy skies from the forest fires in Colorado.

Darrell’s comments - Comparing to the Roadsmart III the tires (especially the front) seem more compliant (softer feel) to road surface imperfections such as expansion joints or cracks in the pavement. I sense the bike has a sharper turn in on corners but will comment on this further after I get some time in the Black Hills this week and the Colorado Rockies a few days from now. With the high temps and sun causing warm road surfaces the tires do allow the bike to move on any tar snakes running parallel to the line of travel, but no different than the Roadsmart III. My initial reaction on tire wear is surprising considering the heat, speed and flatter roads I’ve been riding on.


September 2, 2020
     Mileage at 111049 - Cortez, CO
     4049 miles on tires
     Front - 5.0, 4.0, 5.0
     Rear - 7.0, 5.0, 7.0
     Road conditions - the last 2000 miles were on mostly 2 lane roads. 350 miles in the South Dakota Black Hills, 300 miles crossing plains of Wyoming and 1350 miles in the canyons and on a few of mountain passes in Utah. 400 miles was on fresh asphalt which tends in accelerate wear on tires. The roads of Utah were mostly sweeping curves on 600 miles and tighter curves on 300 miles with the remainder being straighter roads.
     Speeds - the speed limit in Wyoming and Utah is 65 or 70 on 2 lane roads so the majority of miles were run at 65 - 75 mph. Most curves or corners are rode at an average of 15 mph over the posted number.
     Temperature/Weather - ranged from 45 to 95 with the majority of the time in the high 70’s to mid 80’s. I had only 5 miles of rain and 15 additional miles of wet roads so cannot comment on the tire in the rain but hope to find a few hundred miles before the set wears out.

Darrell’s comments - tires continue to display a round profile with zero cupping on the front tire. Handling remains as it did the first 2000 miles so very positive. With the Roadsmart III I would wear out the front tire before the rear and I am sensing that will not happen with the RS IV. The next 1500 - 2000 miles over 8 - 9 days will be spent in the Colorado Rockies so will get a good feel of handling and wear on tighter curves.


September 14, 2020
     Mileage at 113326 - Prior Lake, MN
     6326 miles on tires
     Front - 4.5, 3.0, 4.5
     Rear - 6.5, 4.0, 6.5 (5.0 depth in tear drop near center of tire)
     Road conditions - about 1600 of the 2277 miles were on 2 lane roads in the Rocky Mountains riding at an accelerated pace with many miles on tighter curvy roads. The remaining approximately 677 miles were mostly 2 lane roads across the central plains finishing with 100 miles on 4 lane roads that were very flat with few curves. The roads were mostly well worn asphalt. 
     Speeds - the majority of miles were run at 50 - 75 mph. 70% were run in the higher range of these speeds. 
     Temperature/Weather - ranged from 40 to 95 with the 50% of the time in the high 70's and low 80's and the remaining 50% in the 40 - 65 range. I did cross Monarch Pass in Colorado at 11,312 ft with about 12 miles at a temperature of 28 degrees, thick fog, blowing snow and what I assumed was some black ice. Felt comfortable at 35 - 40 mph in these conditions.

Darrell’s comments - I remain totally surprised at the wear characteristics of the front tire. There is very minimal cupping developing with no affect on handling. The front tire has maintained a very round profile which has allowed handling to be as it was when new. The rear tire has started to develop a slightly flatter center profile but not to the point it affects handling in the curves. Probably not unusual considering some the flatter roads I rode at speeds of 70 - 80 across the central US plains.


September 26, 2020
     Mileage at 115674 - Prior Lake, MN
     8674 miles on tires
     Front - 4.0, 2.0, 4.0
     Rear - 5.0, 2.0, 5.0
     Road conditions - the 2300 miles were on 2 lane roads except for about 100 miles of 4 lane.  About 800 miles were on generally flatter roads across southern Minnesota and Iowa with some large sweeping curves.  The other 1500 miles were in southern Missouri and a little of northern Arkansas on much smaller and tighter curved roads.  The roads were a mix of well worn concrete and asphalt. 
     Speeds - the majority of miles were run at 40 - 70 mph. 50 - 60% were run in the mid range of these speeds. 
     Temperature/Weather - ranged from 45 to 75 degrees with the majority of the time in the high 60’s. Again no rain was experienced so I have not rode more than the 5 miles in the rain and an additional 15 miles on wet roads.

Darrell’s comments - the bike continues to handle well with the tires in their current state of wear. The front tire continues to show minimal cupping. More on the left side then the right likely due to the crowning of the roads. Back tire has started to show some squaring off on the main traction edges likely due to the straighter roads in the Midwest. I would estimate the front and rear tires have another 1000 - 1500 miles if used on dry pavement. I personally would be hesitant to run the current tires in any heavy rain conditions and will install a new set of rubber if I decide to leave on another trip this fall of any distance or number of days. I’ve been changing the Roadsmart III tires every 8000 - 8500 miles and looks like I would change the Roadsmart IV at 9200 - 9700 miles so a gain of maybe 1200 miles based on this one set experience. I’ll give you a final update when I finally pull them off the bike and replace.

[Ray]

Lee, just checked out the rebate link, doesn't look like the RS4s are on it. Thanks though.

Chris

I bet they will honor it.
I didn't look if there was a number or email to contact them and ask.

If there's any problem, the company customer service guys can apparently get it done.

Some of you might have heard that I made the mistake of missing the 6 month expiration on the Dunlop Visa rebate card last year, and I have subsequent emails from both the company that services the card and Dunlop customer service that they weren't going to reload the card.... But someone must have reconsidered, because I returned from Gunnison to find a new rebate card. Only thing I can think of is that either the guys at the shop mentioned it to the rep or all things Dunlop are magically rectified if one whines about it in front of Darrell.