Even stronger for longer: Dunlop launches new RoadSmart IV

Dunlop has revealed details of its new-for-2022 RoadSmart IV, its most versatile sport-touring tyre yet.

The RoadSmart IV uses a mix of Dunlop’s innovative technologies to create a multi-talented tyre. Dunlop’s goal is to set new standards in handling, stability, wet grip and mileage across the wide spectrum of motorcycles and rider styles in the sport-touring sector.

Beyond sport-touring: A tyre without boundaries
The sport-touring sector has become incredibly diverse as motorcycle genres overlap each other. Naked roadsters, crossover designs, road-focused adventure bikes, hyper-nakeds as well as traditional sport-tourers, were all in the design remit for RoadSmart IV.

Dunlop saw this broadening of the segment as an opportunity to create an all-new RoadSmart generation. It had to fit the needs of commuters, long-distance tourers and riders using their bikes for a Sunday morning blast. The design process was shaped by Dunlop’s research. Riders wanted a tyre that could deliver a perfect balance of outstanding dry performance and exceptional wet grip, neutral and stable handling and deliver consistent performance even after several thousand kilometres. From that brief, RoadSmart IV was born.

Wide range and two distinct specifications
The Dunlop RoadSmart IV has been developed to fit 17 of the top 20 selling motorcycles in Europe. From on-road users of adventure bikes such as the BMW R1250GS, crossovers like the Yamaha Tracer, roadsters such as the Yamaha MT or Kawasaki Z ranges or larger touring bikes, Dunlop’s development team focused on creating an incredibly versatile tyre.

In the most popular sizes (120/70ZR17 front; 180/55ZR17 and 190/55ZR17 rear) Dunlop has developed two distinct versions of the RoadSmart IV. The SP variant is optimised for lighter and sportier road machines, whereas the GT variant is tuned to bring greater handling prowess to larger touring bikes.

Technologies to take sport touring to the next level

All variants of the RoadSmart IV feature a package of Dunlop patented technologies, with the innovative compound incorporating four all-new grip resins and the JointLess Tread application for the key sizes headlining a host of technologies and features.

Just Ride philosophy
Luca Davide Andreoni, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Europe: “Our research told us that road riders wanted outstanding wet grip, good mileage and confidence-inspiring handling. By bringing together a range of technologies, we’ve created a tyre that can cater for the demands of an incredibly diverse sector of riders and machines. Dunlop has a Just Ride philosophy of providing riders with unparalleled grip and protection, allowing them to have the confidence to focus on the joy of riding. By applying this mindset, we’ve created a new level of tyre in RoadSmart IV. It is a sport-touring tyre that goes well beyond the sport-touring segment.”

The top tier of a vast range
The Dunlop RoadSmart IV will sit above the test-winning RoadSmart III in Dunlop’s range. That tyre has won awards including a ‘Recommended’ rating* by UK magazine RIDE and a top mileage result** from Germany’s Motorrad Test Center. These test results underlined Dunlop’s ‘stronger for longer’ mileage and durability focus that continues with RoadSmart IV.

With a 21-size and 24 SKU range, the RoadSmart IV brings Dunlop’s total range of RoadSmart sport-touring tyres to over 40 sizes, covering more than 700 models and 97% of the sport-touring radial tyre segment.

*RiDE, May 2020 test.
**Compared to the average performance of Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT, Bridgestone T30 Evo, Pirelli Angel GT. Tested by Motorrad Test Center in November 2015.