Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart

OK so, I'm a returning biker that used to race about a bit. Now I'm back on two wheels I still need a track day to really get to learn the SV and get some confidence back. I'll go on a track day in the summer, but as of now I'm slowly, slowly getting smoother and a bit safer.

I've read a few internet/ press reviews on the tyres in the title, they were fitted when I bought the SV, and a good few posts on the org about some of the ones recommended by riders on here. Haven't worked out how to get the best out of the searh function though, didn't see anything about these?

If I have to I'll replace them before really going hard round bends, but do I need to replace them (I should add I rarely ride in the rain, and there's loads of tread).

Does anyone have these, and how confident should I be of them?

Not the most helpful post I know but: Ive just had a set of the new Avon Storms fitted but this isnt about them, the gu who did the fitting said the storms are not the most suitbale tyre for the Sv - he said the best tyre out there for the weight / use of an SV is the sportmax. He's the owner of HB Motorcycles and therefore I assume also their race team so he knows what he's talking abotu I'd defo give them a shot based on his advice but I cant give you an owner review, sorry.

Originally Posted by The Idle Biker

OK so, I'm a returning biker that used to race about a bit. Now I'm back on two wheels I still need a track day to really get to learn the SV and get some confidence back. I'll go on a track day in the summer, but as of now I'm slowly, slowly getting smoother and a bit safer.

I've read a few internet/ press reviews on the tyres in the title, they were fitted when I bought the SV, and a good few posts on the org about some of the ones recommended by riders on here. Haven't worked out how to get the best out of the searh function though, didn't see anything about these?

If I have to I'll replace them before really going hard round bends, but do I need to replace them (I should add I rarely ride in the rain, and there's loads of tread).

Does anyone have these, and how confident should I be of them?

the dunlop roadsmart replaced the sportmax,ive had no problems with the sportmax in the wet or dry and i think they offer good grip and dont tramline and im about to put a set of roadsmarts on my vfr(£236 fitted)

I swear by dunlops though most dont. Standard oem items made in japan put people off, those made in france are much better. You can push hard on the dunlops. I run d209 qualifiers at the moment but these are superceeded by qualifier 2 which are suposedly even better. Done a trip to the ring and have peg well worn down scraping at local spot with jack up kit and rearset risers. Get them hot and they grip well, dunlops also respond well to lower pressures. You can also get the old qualifiers cheap as they are old stock, got a set of qualifier rr's (really sticky) for 120 on the bay. Hope this helps

[Dave20046]

I had the sportmax and they were alright, felt a slippy when you were caning it like they were about to let go ...but I don't think that was the case - it was just the feel they gave.
Got avon storms after and they made my bike faster

Gents, really appreciate the feedback. I think I have no excuses I just have to trust the tyres I have, they sound respectable and I can't out ride them anyway. I'll learn the feel they give me, and ride safe and practice. Worry about the next tyres when I can outride the current set. Cheers again.

in responce to that idle:
I bought the pointy with Perelli Diablo Stradas already fitted, the curvy at the time was running maxxis sportmax and the difference between the two was obvious. This lead me to resent the stradas, I had ZERO trust in the tyre. Mainly because in the wet they were shocking but when you realise the tyres ended up covering nearly 10,000miles then the compound of the rubber must have been very hard which explains a lot.
Anyway my point been since having the Avons on I've lost that "will the tyres hold" thought that I had on entering any roundabout at anything more than 10mph in the wet.

IF YOU DONT TRUST YOUR TYRES, IMO YOU MUST CHANGE THEM!!!

I've less than 200miles on these avon tyres and Im 100% more confident in thier ability, the next bike will be getting a set sharpish!Thats not to say that YOU MUST BUY AVON lol, afterall I can only reccomend the ones I've tried but if your not confident in the ones you're using then buy some you know are decent. It may all only be in your head, but thats the worst place for it to be - get it out - get new rubber. The alternative is to let someone take your bike out for a blast, let them asses your tyres if they're happy then suck it up

Love the roadsmarts on my bike. And they seem to last forever!

[Luckypants]

Hmmm not sure if this will help you or not, but here we go.

My VFR has Dunlop D207e sportmax fitted that has same compound as the Dunlop Roadsmart according to Dunlop. They were on the bike when I got it. I have had no issues with the tyre wet or dry in terms of grip. They do not give much in the way of feedback compared to Avons but I have never got that 'god these feel wooden' feeling with them. Practising emergency stops the other day the front had loads of grip.

My previous VFR was fitted with Avon Storms also mentioned on this thread. These were/are my weapon of choice and have many thousands of happy miles on them. The Dunlops I have now compare very well in terms of grip, perhaps a little better in straight line acceleration as the Storm Ultra seems to spin up on the 'hard' centre part of the rear tyre. The Avon Storm gives much more feedback than the Dunlop, which some folks take as the tyre being 'squirelly' and on the limit, but it is just letting you know how hard you are pushing it. One of the things I really like about Storms is the way they hook up after a slide, nicely gradual - not had the Dunlops sliding (it's not something I try to do!) so don't know how they will behave at the limit.

All of my experience of the Dunlops is with the VFR, a significantly heavier bike than the SV. This often has an effect on how some tyres perform, some being better being pushed by the weight, others going home in a sulk. I think the D207e is probably better suited to a heavier bike as I have heard folks moan they don't warm up.... not my experience though.

So summary is, the Dunlops are match for the Avons and both are excellent tyres in my opinion. If you want Dunlops, go for it!

HTH

Originally Posted by Luckypants

So summary is, the Dunlops are match for the Avons and both are excellent tyres in my opinion. If you want Dunlops, go for it!

HTH

i would agree. The avons felt a little more responsive for me though but the dunlops make me feel safe if that makes sense. but by god do they last. got about 4k on these and there about half worn!