Dunlop Refines the Roadsmart IV Series

[darrell]

I had a chance to have a call with Dunlop Operations today so can answer a couple a questions.

All the Roadsmart IV tires brought in to the US from the plant in Japan are the GT version front and rear. This is indicated with an X on the sidewall of the tires. Dunlop did not see a reason to bring the lighter front tire in to the US because US market of heavier bikes vs Europe and to help dealers with reducing version inventory.

Goodyear has the Dunlop branding rights in Europe vs Sumitomo Rubber in the US. The Roadsmart III and IV tires in Europe are manufactured at the plant in France just as the Mutant tires in the US are from that plant.

I also reconfirmed tire inventory could be challenging in 2022. I just picked up a set of Roadsmart IV tires from my local dealer at a cheaper price including the 6.875% MN sales tax then Revzilla advertises on line.

I had a local MN shop (non BMW) tell me they expect they will raise their tire prices 20% or more in the next month due to their costs to buy tires.

[Duccrazydave]

One of the best things about the RS IV is the more compliant sidewall. Everything headed our way being the GT version sounds like a step backwards. It looks like the standard IV is Dunlop's version of the McRib - only available for a limited time!

[darrell]

One of the best things about the RS IV is the more compliant sidewall. Everything headed our way being the GT version sounds like a step backwards. It looks like the standard IV is Dunlop's version of the McRib - only available for a limited time!

Everything ever shipped to the US in the Roadsmart IV has been this quote GT version (X) which does have the more compliant sidewall vs the Roadsmart III. So no change on the tires we are receiving going forward.

[Duccrazydave]

Looks like I misread your post, Darrell. Thanks for setting me straight…BTW, I can’t stand the McRib :-)


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[Lee]

Looks like I misread your post, Darrell. Thanks for setting me straight…

I had trouble keeping it all straight
I gave up and plan to buy the III again this year if it's still available.
The big decision for me is, should I order two sets this winter to avoid a supply problem or big price increase. I'm more concerned with a supply problem.
In the next couple weeks I'll call the guy I buy tires from and see what he thinks.

[azqkr]

Looks like I misread your post, Darrell. Thanks for setting me straight…

I had trouble keeping it all straight
I gave up and plan to buy the III again this year if it's still available.
The big decision for me is, should I order two sets this winter to avoid a supply problem or big price increase. I'm more concerned with a supply problem.
In the next couple weeks I'll call the guy I buy tires from and see what he thinks.

I just ordered two sets of RS4's, one for my brothers GT, another set for my RS. I'll need them by late summer or sooner. They were available and I've heard like you, supply may be weak in the future, and the potential for the big increase in pricing in 2022.

Besides the fact that I've gotten 4K on them in just less than 2/32. Amazing mileage, stick well even in the rain [ which my brother and I saw a bit of on last summers trip ].

[Lee]

I just ordered two sets of RS4's, one for my brothers GT, another set for my RS. I'll need them by late summer or sooner. They were available and I've heard like you, supply may be weak in the future, and the potential for the big increase in pricing in 2022.

Besides the fact that I've gotten 4K on them in just less than 2/32. Amazing mileage, stick well even in the rain [ which my brother and I saw a bit of on last summers trip ].

We only have 1,000 miles on our tires but they're Metzeler Roadtec Z8s and I don't have a clue how long they will last for us.
I'll probably replace them after our Texas trip in April.

[Grumpy Goat]

We only have 1,000 miles on our tires but they're Metzeler Roadtec Z8s and I don't have a clue how long they will last for us.
I'll probably replace them after our Texas trip in April.

Over the years I have seen a few instances where these Z8s have received positive comments from owners but I get the sense that, by consensus, they are not the best. I have no personal experience with them since my bike came with Michelin PR4s. The Metzeler Roadtec 01 tires seemed better received.

Any thoughts on the Z8s after 1000 miles?

[Lee]

Any thoughts on the Z8s after 1000 miles?

They're round, black and protect the rims

Only been on fairly straight roads so it's hard to say if they're any good.

[Grumpy Goat]

They're round, black and protect the rims

Only been on fairly straight roads so it's hard to say if they're any good.

Haha …. I like that. Pretty aligned with the consensus I saw.


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[runnerhiker]

We only have 1,000 miles on our tires but they're Metzeler Roadtec Z8s and I don't have a clue how long they will last for us.
I'll probably replace them after our Texas trip in April.

Over the years I have seen a few instances where these Z8s have received positive comments from owners but I get the sense that, by consensus, they are not the best. I have no personal experience with them since my bike came with Michelin PR4s. The Metzeler Roadtec 01 tires seemed better received.

Any thoughts on the Z8s after 1000 miles?

I have had eight or ten sets of Z8's over the years, this tire has been around a long time, probably ten years or more. It is a very good tire but not as good as any of the modern dual compound tires like the RS III and RS IV. and Michelin Pilot's. The Z8 is a single compound tire. My 1250 came with Z8's and I changed them out for RSIII at 3000 miles before the Ohio trip last year, I kept the Z8's as backups.

Lee, they'll probably last you 6000 to 7000 miles.

[Grumpy Goat]

Something tells me Ray may have had the Z8s on his RS as well ... could be wrong.

[Lee]

We only have 1,000 miles on our tires but they're Metzeler Roadtec Z8s and I don't have a clue how long they will last for us.
I'll probably replace them after our Texas trip in April.

Over the years I have seen a few instances where these Z8s have received positive comments from owners but I get the sense that, by consensus, they are not the best. I have no personal experience with them since my bike came with Michelin PR4s. The Metzeler Roadtec 01 tires seemed better received.

Any thoughts on the Z8s after 1000 miles?

I have had eight or ten sets of Z8's over the years, this tire has been around a long time, probably ten years or more. It is a very good tire but not as good as any of the modern dual compound tires like the RS III and RS IV. and Michelin Pilot's. The Z8 is a single compound tire. My 1250 came with Z8's and I changed them out for RSIII at 3000 miles before the Ohio trip last year, I kept the Z8's as backups.

Lee, they'll probably last you 6000 to 7000 miles.

When we bought the 2016s one bike had PR4s and one had Z8s. I like the PR4 so I asked
the shop if they would swap the Z8s for PR4s and they did at no charge.

This time both had Z8s and I didn't want to ask for free tire swaps on both bikes, especially since the shop was very busy and backed up with appointments for two weeks.
If the Z8s. last 5,000 to 6,000 miles that will work.

[runnerhiker]

If the Z8s. last 5,000 to 6,000 miles that will work.

Oh yeah, they'll last that long.

[mspratz]

If the Z8s. last 5,000 to 6,000 miles that will work.

My 2016 RS had Z8s on it from new. I got 9000 miles out of them and I liked those tires.

[Grumpy Goat]

My 2016 RS had Z8s on it from new. I got 9000 miles out of them and I liked those tires.

Ahhh ... it was you with the Z8s I was trying to remember, not Ray. I did recall whoever it was did not have a bad experience with them.

[MrVvrroomm]

I ran 2 sets of Z8's on my '16 RS. Round, rubber. They worked fine.

[Ray]

Ahhh ... it was you with the Z8s I was trying to remember, not Ray. I did recall whoever it was did not have a bad experience with them.

Right - by the time you met me, I had the the bike 18 months and had replaced the Michelins early on with Metzler Roadtec 01s.... Thinking back, I feel like I'm talking about a completely different bike.

[Grumpy Goat]

Right - by the time you met me, I had the the bike 18 months and had replaced the Michelins early on with Metzler Roadtec 01s.... Thinking back, I feel like I'm talking about a completely different bike.

Right. You had the Roadtec 01s. I assume when you say "different bike" you mean that it was an improvement over the PR4s ...? I do note that the Roadtec 01s appear to be well generally received.

One this is for sure is that those of us who had the RS III and IV have all been happy with them, and it seems to be the go-to tire for many of us.

[Ray]

Right - by the time you met me, I had the the bike 18 months and had replaced the Michelins early on with Metzler Roadtec 01s.... Thinking back, I feel like I'm talking about a completely different bike.

Right. You had the Roadtec 01s. I assume when you say "different bike" you mean that it was an improvement over the PR4s ...? I do note that the Roadtec 01s appear to be well generally received.

One this is for sure is that those of us who had the RS III and IV have all been happy with them, and it seems to be the go-to tire for many of us.

By "different bike," I meant that sensation that one gets after riding a motorcycle for 6 years - improvements in familiarity, bike-specific riding skills (ask Darrell about my humorous first run at low-speed "authority training" on the RS), tire technology, and bike set-up (especially suspension).