Uncle Hud
Just another blob of protoplasm using up your oxyg
Please do. I've run two sets to the end of life -- at 40-42 psi -- and enjoyed the hell out of the tires and the rebates. (If you didn't get your rebate card, call them!)
The Dunlop Roadsmart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma
- Thread starter hppants
- Start date
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sapest
Well-known member
I'm bringing the thread back to life to add another data point.
Last set of PR'4 lasted 11900 Km's (~7400 miles) before the frt had 2mm of tread depth. (rr's had 3.5mm)
Very typical frt wear; rain performance was still fine.
No 2-up riding, commuting and a few long trips. Neither knees or elbows get close to the pavement, at least not on purpose.
Tire installer reports the RSIII's were easy to mount and took very little weight to balance.
Tread depth is 4mm (frt) and 7mm (rr) (vs 5/7 for the PR4's)
Inflated to 39 frt/42 rr psi, per Dunlops recommendation.
Very first impression is that the RSIII is a more compliant tire. Not bouncy, maybe more flexible sidewall?
I don't think its "new tire syndrome" - they do feel different than the PR4's, the only tires that I run since the OEM tires wore out.
I am really interested in how they do in the wet, and mileage.
I will update this thread a the mileage builds.
-Steve
Last set of PR'4 lasted 11900 Km's (~7400 miles) before the frt had 2mm of tread depth. (rr's had 3.5mm)
Very typical frt wear; rain performance was still fine.
No 2-up riding, commuting and a few long trips. Neither knees or elbows get close to the pavement, at least not on purpose.
Tire installer reports the RSIII's were easy to mount and took very little weight to balance.
Tread depth is 4mm (frt) and 7mm (rr) (vs 5/7 for the PR4's)
Inflated to 39 frt/42 rr psi, per Dunlops recommendation.
Very first impression is that the RSIII is a more compliant tire. Not bouncy, maybe more flexible sidewall?
I don't think its "new tire syndrome" - they do feel different than the PR4's, the only tires that I run since the OEM tires wore out.
I am really interested in how they do in the wet, and mileage.
I will update this thread a the mileage builds.
-Steve
sapest
Well-known member
Its been about 3 weeks, 820 kms (about 500 miles).
The front lost a lb of pressure, rrs are fine.
Maybe, just maybe the RSIIIs follow severe road grooves a little more than the PR4s. Maybe.
No wet performance comments yet.
-Steve
The front lost a lb of pressure, rrs are fine.
Maybe, just maybe the RSIIIs follow severe road grooves a little more than the PR4s. Maybe.
No wet performance comments yet.
-Steve
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BigOgre
Well-known member
Glad for the update. Going to be mounting a front soon for an upcoming trip. Hoping your installer was correct about the ease of mounting. After reading how Pterodactyl recently banned them from his outpost I'm not sure I'm looking forward to it.
kmanflyer
Well-known member
BigOgre, the front RS3 wasn't too bad. I was able to use the zip-tie method. And with it sitting out in the sun for a couple hours and lots of lube, it went on with minimal wrestling.
The rear RS3 is a different story. That sucker took maximum wrestling. I can't compare it to anything else, since this was my first tire change on an FJR. But that rear RS3 is stiff, even warm. I am by no means an expert though.
I haven't put enough miles on them yet to comment on them, since new tires always feel great at first.
Good Luck!
JamesW
JamesW
Just had a new set installed today actually. 8300 miles and some tread left but got some tripping coming up. Frt worn more than rear but that has been the norm for my FJRs. Feels like a more supple tire to me than the PRs ever did, plus the rebates help. Work well for me in the wet, I had been a little concerned cause of less apparent siping than the Michelins. I ride one up. Soft ride and no handlebar twitching/shaking of any sort, and I am VERY FUSSY. I do let them warm up a bit before getting enthusiastic. Just gave my riding buddy a shout and he is happy with them on his Ninja 1000, he to notices a softer ride and the little different profile on the front gives him a little better handling. He has 6000plus miles and his are still looking good, course it is a lighter bike.
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kmanflyer
Well-known member
Thanks for the update James. It's good to hear you're happy with them wet/dry. There are differing opinions on these RS3's. I was kinda getting second thoughts about buying them. But I think I've seen more favorable opinion's than negative. So it goes with any tire, some like, some don't. I'll have to find out for myself.
How was the front tire cupping? I too find them to ride softer than the Z6's that were on there.
sapest
Well-known member
Wet weather update.
Rode thru some heavy bands of rainfall yesterday between Missoula and Butte on I-90. Lots of 10-20 mph crosswinds just to make things more interesting. Speeds between 60 and 80 mph. Tires felt no different than the PRs I am used too.
At least on interstates, wet performance is grade A.
-Steve
Rode thru some heavy bands of rainfall yesterday between Missoula and Butte on I-90. Lots of 10-20 mph crosswinds just to make things more interesting. Speeds between 60 and 80 mph. Tires felt no different than the PRs I am used too.
At least on interstates, wet performance is grade A.
-Steve
AdamK
Well-known member
My data points. I typically only ride when I'm on trips, loaded with supplies for a week or two. One up, no commuting on my bike.
Stock BTs
Front: 5,800 miles *
Rear: 5,800 miles
PR4 GT (2 sets)
Front: 6,500, 5,300 miles *
Rear: 6.500, 5,300 miles
EVO T30 GT
Front: 6,100 miles *
Rear: 6,100 miles
EVO T31 GT
Front: still using it at 4,000 miles
Rear: 3,900 miles (to the cords in 9 days of spirited riding) Changed out mid-trip for a PR4 non-GT. Only tire available.
* Note: Not a true representation for the fronts as they were changed at the same time as a worn out rear. Couldn't trust the fronts to last out a new rear.
As for the Road 5. I watched RedNeckJ burn through a Road 5 front in 3,200 miles last summer. Was surprised the rear looked better than the front?? The front was re-balanced during the trip in an attempt to cure severe head shake before its demise. The re-balance had marginal effect.
Stock BTs
Front: 5,800 miles *
Rear: 5,800 miles
PR4 GT (2 sets)
Front: 6,500, 5,300 miles *
Rear: 6.500, 5,300 miles
EVO T30 GT
Front: 6,100 miles *
Rear: 6,100 miles
EVO T31 GT
Front: still using it at 4,000 miles
Rear: 3,900 miles (to the cords in 9 days of spirited riding) Changed out mid-trip for a PR4 non-GT. Only tire available.
* Note: Not a true representation for the fronts as they were changed at the same time as a worn out rear. Couldn't trust the fronts to last out a new rear.
As for the Road 5. I watched RedNeckJ burn through a Road 5 front in 3,200 miles last summer. Was surprised the rear looked better than the front?? The front was re-balanced during the trip in an attempt to cure severe head shake before its demise. The re-balance had marginal effect.
hppants
Well-known member
The rear on my first set of RS3's is done - below the wear bar indicators, but no cords showing. At 5500 miles, it is right where a PR4GT would be at 6500 miles.
The wet weather traction on the RS3 was not quite as good as the PR4GT, but certainly good enough. No cupping or scalloping on the RS3. I have no performance complaints.
Therefore, to me it comes down to value. So, not considering a Dunlop rebate, the RS3 getting about 85% of the miles of the PR4GT, but cost about 85% as much. With the rebate, the Dunlop is the better buy. I ordered another RS3 rear, because I want to see what the front looks like in another 3K or so (which is what I believe it has left).
The wet weather traction on the RS3 was not quite as good as the PR4GT, but certainly good enough. No cupping or scalloping on the RS3. I have no performance complaints.
Therefore, to me it comes down to value. So, not considering a Dunlop rebate, the RS3 getting about 85% of the miles of the PR4GT, but cost about 85% as much. With the rebate, the Dunlop is the better buy. I ordered another RS3 rear, because I want to see what the front looks like in another 3K or so (which is what I believe it has left).
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AdamK
Well-known member
Just to add to the value data, the last set of Bridgestone T31 GTs I bought cost $250 with a $60 rebate. $190 delivered with no sales tax from rocky Mountain. I'm <guessing> the T31s would get about the same mileage as the RS3 under normal usage. But of course normal usage is very much different for each individual. I agree the PR4s look to have superior wear, but the value is lost due to the outrageous price.
sapest
Well-known member
How does the cost of the tire change effect your thinking? I cant do my own changes, that 15% difference, after ?5? changes is going to be eaten up. And 15% more miles might be a season or a long journey where I dont have to get a tire change in between. I dont dispute your conclusion. Its just another compromise, where other factors might change the final choice.
I think its safe to say that moving to an RS3 has no performance consequence. Thats a good thing. Value, well different people will use different determinants.
-Steve
hppants
Well-known member
Of course, safety, performance, and confidence have to be over arching considerations. I have tried the Bridgestones on another FJR and found the wear to be slightly lower than the RS3, but that set included considerable twisty riding in mountains, which eats my tires even faster. However moreover, I found the wet weather traction on the B/S to be far less, and exponentially less as the tire wore. Finally, the front B/S started scalloping on the right side about 1/2 into the wear. I freely admit that I am HARD on the front tire on my heavy bike. But the verdict - no thank you, Bridgestone.
On the other hand, I found no appreciable performance issues with the Dunlop. I'm not an aggressive wet weather rider, and the RS3 provided me with plenty of traction and confidence. Both the front and rear have worn evenly, and there is absolutely no sign of cupping or scalloping on the front. I think its a good tire for the FJR.
I guess once you get to that point, where you are satisfied with the safety, performance, and confidence of the product, then for me anyway, the next consideration is value. I get the tires mounted and balanced for free. So then it just comes down to cost per mile. I stand by the numbers I posted above. I've never seen a Michelin rebate on any Pilot Road tire. At today's everyday online prices, unless Dunlop offers a rebate, then it's practically a wash. With the rebate, a little savings.
One other thing to consider is the anticipated use of the tire. If I'm working on an epic 2-week trip, in which there is a decent chance I will be more than 5,000 miles, but less than 7,000 miles, then the PR4 would get the nod for me. If I thought the trip would go over 7,000 miles, then the RS3 would get the nod (with a rebate) because I know I will have to schedule a tire change to get home.
Which brings me to some heartburn. When I had my Gen 1 bike, a PR2 rear would last 8,500 miles, front 10,000 miles. You could set your clock by it. With the Gen 3 bike, the tire wear is substantially greater. Same roads for me (practically). Same rider, although maybe I'm riding differently. I dunno. But if I could find a rear tire that lasted 8,500 miles, I would never have to worry about making a tire change on a tour. <<<<< that's the heartburn. Having to deal with that on the trip. It takes enough time and imposition to change the tire, but the big deal is that I have to plan to be somewhere at a particular time.
And that's just NOT how I like to roll......
On the other hand, I found no appreciable performance issues with the Dunlop. I'm not an aggressive wet weather rider, and the RS3 provided me with plenty of traction and confidence. Both the front and rear have worn evenly, and there is absolutely no sign of cupping or scalloping on the front. I think its a good tire for the FJR.
I guess once you get to that point, where you are satisfied with the safety, performance, and confidence of the product, then for me anyway, the next consideration is value. I get the tires mounted and balanced for free. So then it just comes down to cost per mile. I stand by the numbers I posted above. I've never seen a Michelin rebate on any Pilot Road tire. At today's everyday online prices, unless Dunlop offers a rebate, then it's practically a wash. With the rebate, a little savings.
One other thing to consider is the anticipated use of the tire. If I'm working on an epic 2-week trip, in which there is a decent chance I will be more than 5,000 miles, but less than 7,000 miles, then the PR4 would get the nod for me. If I thought the trip would go over 7,000 miles, then the RS3 would get the nod (with a rebate) because I know I will have to schedule a tire change to get home.
Which brings me to some heartburn. When I had my Gen 1 bike, a PR2 rear would last 8,500 miles, front 10,000 miles. You could set your clock by it. With the Gen 3 bike, the tire wear is substantially greater. Same roads for me (practically). Same rider, although maybe I'm riding differently. I dunno. But if I could find a rear tire that lasted 8,500 miles, I would never have to worry about making a tire change on a tour. <<<<< that's the heartburn. Having to deal with that on the trip. It takes enough time and imposition to change the tire, but the big deal is that I have to plan to be somewhere at a particular time.
And that's just NOT how I like to roll......
dcarver
Well-known member
DarkSide-Pants?
Bugnatr
Well-known member
. Does he dare?
Pants my friend. You ride quicker on the gen 3 so no tire will live up to your expectations unless you go to the darkside. JSNS
FJRay
Well-known member
redneckj
Well-known member
hppants
Well-known member
At the risk of entering NEPRT, no darkside for me. I know it works, but something deep inside me is saying don't do it.
FWIW - I've had that feeling about other things, and ignored it. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes..... not.
FWIW - I've had that feeling about other things, and ignored it. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes..... not.
sapest
Well-known member
After 9222 km (5730 miles)
Front tire lost 1.5 lbs of pressure in 12 day trip to Mt Evans. Tread depth now 3 mm
Rr lost 2 lbs, tread depth now 4 mm
-Steve
Front tire lost 1.5 lbs of pressure in 12 day trip to Mt Evans. Tread depth now 3 mm
Rr lost 2 lbs, tread depth now 4 mm
-Steve
AdamK
Well-known member
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