Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart on a Suzuki GSX1250FA

**yod** · 2nd February 2012, 23:19

Originally Posted by NZsarge

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It'll be interesting to see what happens on the Metzlers, as i have said i'm loving the M5's but different design brief to a certain degree.

Yes. I expect I'll get a few extra miles out of the Z8s than you will from the M5s, at least I bloody well hope so!!! AFC are doing them about $50 off retail per tyre so that was enough justification to try them out. Won't get them for a couple of weeks, just waiting for the finances to sort themselves out

I also noticed Cycletreads are doing Conti Road Attacks for $370 a set - pretty cheap deal except they don't last long enough to make it worthwhile!

**banditrider** · 4th February 2012, 19:15

Originally Posted by NZsarge

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It'll be interesting to see what happens on the Metzlers, as i have said i'm loving the M5's but different design brief to a certain degree.

Brian has about 10,500km on his rear Z8 at the mo'. He's probably a bit easier on his tyres than me but it looks like it's probably got 1-2,000km left in it. He's changing it for another one in Chch before the start of the TT.

**NZsarge** · 6th February 2012, 12:22

Originally Posted by banditrider

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Brian has about 10,500km on his rear Z8 at the mo'. He's probably a bit easier on his tyres than me but it looks like it's probably got 1-2,000km left in it. He's changing it for another one in Chch before the start of the TT.

Interesting, sounds quite promising although it also looks like PR2's may have the milage edge but not by a whole lot etc...
What are Brian's thoughts of the Z8's in the wet? (is brian your mate riding a Bandit or the one with a Concours?)

**banditrider** · 6th February 2012, 16:29

Originally Posted by NZsarge

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Interesting, sounds quite promising although it also looks like PR2's may have the milage edge but not by a whole lot etc...
What are Brian's thoughts of the Z8's in the wet? (is brian your mate riding a Bandit or the one with a Concours?)

He's the Connie rider and he reckons they've been fine in the wet. I used to be a big Metzler fan on my Bandits - never had a problem with them but haven't tried them on the Connie as yet as the PR2's have been so good. When I get back from the TT it will be interesting to see how the PR3's look as they'll be starting to get a few kms on them by then...

**NZsarge** · 7th February 2012, 08:14

Originally Posted by banditrider

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He's the Connie rider and he reckons they've been fine in the wet. I used to be a big Metzler fan on my Bandits - never had a problem with them but haven't tried them on the Connie as yet as the PR2's have been so good. When I get back from the TT it will be interesting to see how the PR3's look as they'll be starting to get a few kms on them by then...

Yep,hard to argue with PR2's, not many bikes they don't go well on. I'd be interested to know if those Z8's flat spot much.

**Hitcher** · 4th March 2012, 17:18

It's time to interrupt the Michelin Fan Boi hijackers and get this thread back to a discussion about Roadsmarts.

In about a week's time the GSX1250FA will get its 30,000km service. The Roadsmarts will have done almost 4,500km by then. And they'll be getting replaced.

The disappointment is crushing, particularly after having talked them up massively.

I'm disappointed because the set I had on my FJR1300 a few years ago was just magnificent. A fully loaded bike, plus pillion, on extremely hot roads in the USA and then some spirited one-person riding on their return to New Zealand. 6,000km ridden when I sold the bike with absolutely no signs of distress or angst.

GSX1250FA? Completely different story. The sides of the rear were starting to get furry and scabby after 1,500km, and have accelerated wear since. The rear's harder centre is just fine but the rest of the tyre would probably struggle to pass a WOF.

Handling wise, these tyres are just magnificent. More like what I imagine a sports tyre should ride like than most sports touring tyres I've ever used. However in terms of their wear, particularly the rear, they're wearing like a sports tyre, rather than the sports tourers they're supposed to be.

Yes, I had a nail puncture and preceding slow leak that may not have helped, but I've done that to Avon Storms a couple of times in the past with nowhere near the ill effects that the Roadsmarts are showing.

So on balance and careful reflection, as sports touring tyres the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart scores a 4.5 on the Hitcher scale. In other words they're crap. And I'm really disappointed. Tyres and fitment don't come cheap and I expect much better value than this.

Now I have to weigh up what to try next. That choice won't include Roadsmarts nor anything with a Bridgestone logo on.

**NZsarge** · 4th March 2012, 17:29

Back to Z8's Hitcher? I maybe well be wrong but I think there is a Roadsmart 2 just been released...... ?

**Coldrider** · 4th March 2012, 18:24

Three years ago I bought 2 sets of metzler sportec M3, I fitted one year after the other, the first rear got 8,000ks and was still a smidgeon off the indicators, the 2nd rear barely got 3,800ks. Same bike, same ralleys, roads, speeds , same loadings, same everything.

Ended up fitting a pilot road as that was all I could find in Invers at the time (at a rip off price), just to get me home.

**Hitcher** · 4th March 2012, 19:00

Originally Posted by NZsarge

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Back to Z8's Hitcher? I maybe well be wrong but I think there is a Roadsmart 2 just been released?

Z8s? The rear wore well. I wasn't overly fussed with the front's steering nor with its wearing.

There is indeed a Roadsmart 2. I don't know if these have been released in New Zealand yet. Cost will also be a consideration, unless Mr Dunlop wants to avail himself of my services as a test mule.

I may go for a set of Conti Road Attack 2s or Avon Storm Ultras. My jury is still out on all of those slotty groovy things cut into the PR3. I think that those are my choices.

**caspernz** · 4th March 2012, 19:17

On reflection it might be cheaper to trade the bike in as it seems rather harsh on rubber Mr Hitcher??

See how I got that whole line out without showing my membership of the Michelin fan club haha...

**Scruffygit** · 5th May 2012, 18:04

Originally Posted by yod

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Yes. I expect I'll get a few extra miles out of the Z8s than you will from the M5s, at least I bloody well hope so!!! AFC are doing them about $50 off retail per tyre so that was enough justification to try them out. Won't get them for a couple of weeks, just waiting for the finances to sort themselves out

I also noticed Cycletreads are doing Conti Road Attacks for $370 a set - pretty cheap deal except they don't last long enough to make it worthwhile!

Any chance of an update on the Z8's?

The Avons on my Blackbird will need replacing soon and I fancy trying the Z8 next as I've read good things about them but I'm always suspicious of PR blurb and track day hero journalists so a real world opinion would be appreciated.

Thanks.