[RingDing]

Well, I can't see them lasting as long as the Z6's that I had on before (9000miles). However, they give a lot more confidence in the corners (and the Z6's were the best road tyre I had used uptil now). Grip was very good to start with and still is. They have squared off noticeably though, and did so at around 3000 miles, 2000 miles earlier than the Z6's.

The problem with tyres is that it is virtually impossible for a normal punter to make a proper comparison. To do so we'd get to try new pairs of different makes/types back to back. Instead we go from a worn out tyre to a brand new set of something different. In those circumstances it is impossible to make an unbiassed assessment.

I know that the Z6 is a very good tyre and, for me and my riding, it lasted 9000 miles. I know that I prefer the feel I get from the RoadSmarts, but that there is definitely a trade off in life. The squaring off doesn't bother me as much as it has on tyres in the past as I know these tyres have oodles of grip for my riding, wet or dry. I don't plod around but I don't ride like Dave Jeffries either. I'm quite smooth (!) so tend to get reasonable life from my tyres.

If I did more miles a year, and more motorway miles, I probably wouldn't get the Roadsmarts again. IMO they are towards the sport side of sport touring. As it happens that suits me. If nothing else tickles my fancy in 2-3000 miles time (which is when I think they'll be down to the replacement marks) then I'll get another set.

Apologies for the waffly reply.

PS. I don't have too much spare time, just an unhealthy obsession with spreadsheets! You should see the one for fuel economy, mileage and the correlation between mpg and average monthly temperature. No really, you should...hello?.......