Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
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posted April 09, 2009 06:57 AM
Dunlop RoadSmarts, review and ??
Put on a set of Dunlop RoadSmarts last fall.
Picked them for their great wet weather reviews.
I wasnt disappointed! Very stable and secure feel in the wet.
Obviously I'm not smokin apexes in Washington rain (well just a little) but they never gave a hint of trouble.
I was pleasantly surprised how well the do in the twisties at speed!
Rode them hard last fall on a mountain trip and they never did anything scary.
Pushed on edge they gave a nibbling feeling as they started to slip but were progressive and controllable.
Same thing in cold (35 ish to low 40s) and damp conditions, very secure feeling.
Stable at speed (140ish) too.
I recommend them for sport touring.
The wear is truly surprising.
At about 2,500 miles;
Front looks barely scrubbed in.
now comes the...,curious part.
The rear shows very little wear, but the different compounds are forming a visible ridge.
Not starting to flat spot like every tire I've had on the 14 would by 2,500 miles.
Just that slight ridge.
Is this common to multi compound tires?
I'm a slim Cat (175 lb) with aftermarket suspension and seem to get better wear out of my tires from what I've read other 14 owners get. your results might differ.
Sound off folks, I'm also curious how others who have these tires feel about them.
____________
Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
  
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted April 09, 2009 07:52 AM
That ridge is normal, the only multi compound tires I havent seen do it are the Pilot Power 2CT's. The BT016's are the worst, they have 3 compounds and both ridges are noticeable and even a bit of tearing visible, too (only on tires pushed really hard do you see tearing).
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
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posted April 09, 2009 08:35 AM
Thx big guy, was curious about the ridge.
____________
Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
|
NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted April 09, 2009 09:11 AM
I've always ran Pilot Powers, but wanted the same grip with harder middle so it doesn't wear so fast because I'm hamfisted.
These tires will make it BIG over the years when people start trying them. I can't tell a difference from the Powers. The rear on my bike with these RoadSmarts have no strips down to the sidewall because I looooooove twisty's and they grip like a motherfucker.
Kudos to Dunlops 1st good tire! 
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted April 09, 2009 11:35 AM
Dunlops 1st good tire? lol I thought that was my D208ZR tires that I ran on my TL1000R. Were unbelievably sticky on nasty twisty roads in the middle of summer. Sucked balls in the winter though... ok, I see what you're saying. haha
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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gilberjj
Needs a job
Friend of Fast
Posts: 3196
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posted April 09, 2009 12:48 PM
Wow.... just found a roadsmart for $152 SHIPPED!!!!!
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/13124/ITEM/Dunlop-Roadsmart-Sport-Touring-Rear-Tire.aspx?SiteID=CSE_GBase_396&WT.mc_ID=80003&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=2&zmap=13124
Thanks for the review. I had narrowed it down between the pilot road 2 and the roadsmart but I've had good luck with my qualifier in the front and some people say that you don't want to mix brands of tires.....
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Bawls
Needs a job
re-learning to ride
Posts: 2701
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posted April 09, 2009 01:08 PM
I ran a shinko 005 front and a Tomahawk T-3 rear for 2 rears with no problems, and my bike had no chicken strips.
____________
Best 60ft: 1.42
Best 1/8th: 5.97
Best 1/8th MPH: 119
Brockland Police Badge # 001
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bbirdxx2000
Expert Class
Posts: 147
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posted April 09, 2009 01:15 PM
quote:
Put on a set of Dunlop RoadSmarts last fall.
Picked them for their great wet weather reviews.
I wasnt disappointed! Very stable and secure feel in the wet.
Obviously I'm not smokin apexes in Washington rain (well just a little) but they never gave a hint of trouble.
I was pleasantly surprised how well the do in the twisties at speed!
Rode them hard last fall on a mountain trip and they never did anything scary.
Pushed on edge they gave a nibbling feeling as they started to slip but were progressive and controllable.
Same thing in cold (35 ish to low 40s) and damp conditions, very secure feeling.
Stable at speed (140ish) too.
I recommend them for sport touring.
The wear is truly surprising.
At about 2,500 miles;
Front looks barely scrubbed in.
now comes the...,curious part.
The rear shows very little wear, but the different compounds are forming a visible ridge.
Not starting to flat spot like every tire I've had on the 14 would by 2,500 miles.
Just that slight ridge.
Is this common to multi compound tires?
I'm a slim Cat (175 lb) with aftermarket suspension and seem to get better wear out of my tires from what I've read other 14 owners get. your results might differ.
Sound off folks, I'm also curious how others who have these tires feel about them.
I to am running the Roadsmart rear, but I have the PR II in the front. How many miles are left on your rear tire
____________
9.96 @ 143 stock with flies removed
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted April 09, 2009 01:30 PM
Dont ever mix brands if you are going to rail your bike hard. If you don't rail hard enough to be able to feel frame flex, tire carcass flex, and contact patch feedback at the extreme edge of traction in the middle of a nasty tight turn, than its not so big a deal. 99% of 14 riders dont have to worry about it.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
|
bbirdxx2000
Expert Class
Posts: 147
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posted April 09, 2009 02:11 PM
quote:
Dont ever mix brands if you are going to rail your bike hard. If you don't rail hard enough to be able to feel frame flex, tire carcass flex, and contact patch feedback at the extreme edge of traction in the middle of a nasty tight turn, than its not so big a deal. 99% of 14 riders dont have to worry about it.
Im not that good, plus why through away a good front tire. Also at the time the rear PR II was on back order
____________
9.96 @ 143 stock with flies removed
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gilberjj
Needs a job
Friend of Fast
Posts: 3196
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posted April 09, 2009 02:21 PM
I touched my muzzy exhaust down last weekend during that filming. I just need to practice getting on the throttle sooner. I've only been riding on the street for a year. The zx14 is my first street bike, but I don't really have any problem keeping up with most people on the street. The track I'm sure would be another story....
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Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
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posted April 09, 2009 04:48 PM
bbirdxx2000
I have no idea how many miles I'll get out of these tires. As I stated, the other tires I've had on would be half worn out now. (Original 014's, Pirelli Corsa IIIs and stradas.)
Sticks,
Not many are you size, speed and intellect combined.
Flexing the 14's frame oh boy!!
Realistically, I havent pushed my 14 to the max cornering since dialing in the new suspension, so might have thought "that" sensation was the crappy stock stuff. Otherwise I'm half the man you are in more ways than the obvious!!
gilberjj
FIRST BIKE !!! FIRST YEAR!!!!??????
I'm speechless.
Will have to come over and hook up with you two at some PNW event or something.
You ARE a couple of characters worthy of going to the trouble to meet.
Will be going to PIR with PSSR on the 27th.
Probably pull the Dunlops there and possibly try a new Pirelli model.
I have a nice set of SportMax GP-A take offs I got from GP North for track, but no tire warmers. and no experience on that model.
____________
Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
|
GHOSTMAN
Expert Class
Posts: 456
|
posted April 10, 2009 05:00 AM
I really like the RoadSmarts myself. I only got about 6000 miles out of the front, but that's fine with me. Plus, it's cheaper than the rear!
The rear looks like I've hardly ridden on it. Will probably get another 5000 out of it.
No complaints about handling.
____________
I'm There Whether You See Me Or Not.
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted April 10, 2009 05:39 AM
 Edited By: Sticks_n_Stones on 10 Apr 2009 13:40
quote:
Will have to come over and hook up with you two at some PNW event or something.
You ARE a couple of characters worthy of going to the trouble to meet.
Will be going to PIR with PSSR on the 27th.
You're going on a monday? PSSR = Puget Sound Street Racers? lol I don't forsee being able to make it down there on a monday, whats going on? Cost?
quote:
I touched my muzzy exhaust down last weekend during that filming. I just need to practice getting on the throttle sooner. I've only been riding on the street for a year. The zx14 is my first street bike, but I don't really have any problem keeping up with most people on the street. The track I'm sure would be another story....
Email sent.
I've just got one word for you: Get A New Rear Spring!
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
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posted April 10, 2009 08:39 AM
Its my track day partners birthday get away.
He bought a block of track days with them last year and then crashed his brains out again and lost interest. That and he has a business to run, family stuff, yada yada.
I went over his track bike for him and know the fuse is lit again. So to "help" him get a break I'm going to use one of his track days with him. He needs to get his mind right. I am willing to help. (myself to a prepaid track day lol)
This is PSSR. I like them, casual, folksy and fast. I have a strong hate of Pacific and love of Portlands track.
http://www.pssrtrack.com/
____________
Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
|
Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
|
posted April 10, 2009 09:05 AM
Hate the Pacific track, or the human side of it? How is the Portland track, never been there.
Havent been to a road course in 16 years, and even 'in the old days' I never made it out of Southern California.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
|
NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
|
posted April 10, 2009 10:38 AM
I love Mid-Ohio and now there's a new one I want to try in KY that STT(sportbiketracktime) is involved with now this year called Bluegrass.
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GHOSTMAN
Expert Class
Posts: 456
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posted April 10, 2009 12:20 PM
TIRES fellas. . . TIRES!!!
Now let's get this thread back on . . ."Track". 
____________
I'm There Whether You See Me Or Not.
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NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted April 10, 2009 04:58 PM
I really like the Roadsmart. 
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Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
|
posted April 10, 2009 08:59 PM
quote:
I really like the RoadSmarts myself. I only got about 6000 miles out of the front, but that's fine with me. Plus, it's cheaper than the rear!
The rear looks like I've hardly ridden on it. Will probably get another 5000 out of it.
No complaints about handling.
Weird, guess I better take a closer look at my front !!
They are a much better tire than the Stradas I ran for awhile. Those things were bricks. Not bad in the wet though.
Sticks,
If they would fix the PM we wouldnt have to pirate on threads!
Pacific is too tight for our bikes compared to Portland. Also 20 times more dangerous. All those concrete walls. I got seriously messed up on a high side that ended up in trees on the bottom of the course.
Portlands got 2 big straights and lots of runoff all the way around. Plus new pavement last year.
Lots of right turns. Flat, no elevation changes at all. I hit my speed limiter regularly on the main straight. I really like it for turning the 14 loose.
PSSR runs a good system for passing etc.
____________
Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
|
Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
|
posted April 13, 2009 08:41 AM
Old Guy if you're on PNWRiders.com (believe you are on there) shoot me a PM, name is Sticks n Stones over there too.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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