Follow-up to my post on Roadsmart IV from June 10
Roadsmart IV - Questions...
I was confused about some articles I read that mentioned that there were two flavors of Roadsmart IV - an "SP" and a "GT" available in certain sizes (including the ones for the FJR). I got to the Dunlop European site and they recommended the "GT" for the FJR in their fitment guide. I spoke with my local dealer who spoke with his rep and they didn't know anything about it. Same when I emailed a major tire supplier in Canada.
I finally got a response back from Dunlop, North America and basically the guy said he didn't know much about them either but was aware they existed. He gave me a link to the Europe website (which I already found). From his email:
"The Roadsmart IV SP/GT model are tires produced out of Europe so I don’t have much information on them..." and
"The Roadsmart IV which we sell here in North America is produced out of Japan is like the GT version."
It seems that the North America (Japanese) division is separate from the European division of Dunlop. It would appear that the design elements of the GT are what we might expect in tires bought here - at least in FJR sizes. I assume they must have design and engineering in common even if they manufacture and market separately.
I also looked at the Euro site for the Roadsmart III and apparently they offer the "SP" variant as an option
in some sizes for lighter bikes although no mention of a "GT". Never an option in North America. Interesting to see that they now market the RS III as a "value-priced" product; perhaps to justify the significantly higher cost for the new model.
I have ordered a set and we will see how they hold up. I am still running a (pretty good) set of Bridgestone T32 GT right now so I might not get the new Roadsmarts on the bike much before the end of the season. I have almost 8,000 km (5,000 mi) on the Bridgestnes and they are still looking pretty good - mostly highway between here and Winnipeg (and back)...
