The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by wheatonFJR »

raYzerman wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:08 am ...Since I got my own tire machine and spare set of wheels, went back to bike tire, sometimes miss that car tar.
I don't know that the Dunlop RS3 is a car tire, I will avoid asking more.
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by bungie4 »

raYzerman wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:08 am YOu have to have the right tire to darkside, no stiff sidewalls, no runflats. Michelin Exalto best, no longer available, but there are good alternatives, Goodyear Triple Tread, etc. Yes you work a little harder on turn-ins, but can do as good as bike tire that sticks like glue. Since I got my own tire machine and spare set of wheels, went back to bike tire, sometimes miss that car tar.
First try was not a recommended tire, it was complete shit.
The Second try was a Michelin Exalto. Much better, but not a long term proposition for me, it came off the bike just as soon as possible.

I've chosen to save money on tires by investing in a trailer. My tires last longer, with a better quality of miles to wear them out. :D
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by wheatonFJR »

bungie4 wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:35 am I've chosen to save money on tires by investing in a trailer. My tires last longer, with a better quality of miles to wear them out. :D
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by baowow »

But then you'll have to change the tars on the trailer...

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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by bungie4 »

baowow wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 9:56 am But then you'll have to change the tars on the trailer...

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That's not the big expense :D
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by bungie4 »

wheatonFJR wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:54 am
bungie4 wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:35 am I've chosen to save money on tires by investing in a trailer. My tires last longer, with a better quality of miles to wear them out. :D
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If you want a real eye opener. Google what Airstreams sell for.
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by wheatonFJR »

bungie4 wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 10:38 am
wheatonFJR wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:54 am
bungie4 wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:35 am I've chosen to save money on tires by investing in a trailer. My tires last longer, with a better quality of miles to wear them out. :D
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If you want a real eye opener. Google what Airstreams sell for.
More than a bag of macaroni??
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Re: RE: Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by baowow »

bungie4 wrote:
wheatonFJR wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:54 am
bungie4 wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 8:35 am I've chosen to save money on tires by investing in a trailer. My tires last longer, with a better quality of miles to wear them out. :D
Image
If you want a real eye opener. Google what Airstreams sell for.
Why the hell am I paying mortgage for a house that stays in one place when I could have an airstream...Time to convince the wife.

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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by Hppants »

Well shit - now here we go....

My two buddies with the Versys 1000LT's just got back from 2600 miles in North Georgia/North Carolina. Buddy #1 is trying the Avon ST's - the jury's still out.

Buddy #2 went with the Michelin PR5's.

The rear measures a little over 6/32 left (out of 8/32). That's about 25% worn (even though I know that it goes faster as it wears down) with 2600 miles.










:roll:














Well shit.....
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by wheatonFJR »

Hppants wrote: Wed May 16, 2018 5:52 pm Well shit - now here we go....

My two buddies with the Versys 1000LT's just got back from 2600 miles in North Georgia/North Carolina. Buddy #1 is trying the Avon ST's - the jury's still out.

Buddy #2 went with the Michelin PR5's.

The rear measures a little over 6/32 left (out of 8/32). That's about 25% worn (even though I know that it goes faster as it wears down) with 2600 miles.










:roll:














Well shit.....
Weight & HP of their bikes vs yours?

Their riding style vs yours?

Otherwise, 2600 mile figure at 1/4 of tread depth doesn't mean doodly squat.
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by Hppants »

The versys is about 100 pounds lighter than the FJR, but they were loaded with camping gear like I will be. It's not as powerful as the FJR, but they ride like I do. That 2600 miles was more on the edges than I will be for this trip, I think.

Wish I had more data re: the PR5....
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by Uncle Hud »

I think the only data that counts is from tires on your own bike when you're riding it.
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by bungie4 »

Uncle Hud wrote: Thu May 17, 2018 12:13 pm I think the only data that counts is from tires on your own bike when you're riding it.
This.

I currently have a set of T-30's on. I'm currently over 10KM (6000 miles) on them. They appear to be about half done. If I get 16KM out of them, they are a huge win as they were about half the price of the PR4's, and I'd be getting similar life out of them.

Screw it, gas/tires/insurance work out to 24.3c per km., in Ontario.

Based on a 15000km year, insurance is 9.3c/km
Fuel is 7.8c/km (@ 1.40 l)
Tires 7.2c/km (assuming full retail, dealer installed PR4GT)

Factor in Maint and Depreciation.


.
.
.

It's a good thing these things are fun as f@$k.
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by Hppants »

Of course you are correct, Hud. Too many variables.
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Re: Quit screwing around, this is the solution!

Post by bigjohnsd »

Put on a new tire before you leave home.
Ride the snot out of it.
When you get something in Spearfish come To my house.
We will install the BFG Darkside tire I have on my tire rack and the brake reaction bar I made for my Gen 3 for your slab ride home. Once you are home you can replace and discard. It doesn't get steadier than this Mate. The tire in question has about 10,000 miles on it and you can't tell it has been on the road. You will feel much more comfortable spanning home in the darkside tahr!

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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by Abercrombie FJR »

bungie4 wrote: Thu May 17, 2018 12:48 pm
Uncle Hud wrote: Thu May 17, 2018 12:13 pm I think the only data that counts is from tires on your own bike when you're riding it.
This.

I currently have a set of T-30's on. I'm currently over 10KM (6000 miles) on them. They appear to be about half done. If I get 16KM out of them, they are a huge win as they were about half the price of the PR4's, and I'd be getting similar life out of them.

Screw it, gas/tires/insurance work out to 24.3c per km., in Ontario.

Based on a 15000km year, insurance is 9.3c/km
Fuel is 7.8c/km (@ 1.40 l)
Tires 7.2c/km (assuming full retail, dealer installed PR4GT)

Factor in Maint and Depreciation.


.
.
.

It's a good thing these things are fun as f@$k.
I'm blocking you. There is no reason to kill my enjoyment of riding trying to figure out how much each km costs. :stickpoke:
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by Bugnatr »

Pants, if you think tires cost a lot now just wait till you are retired and riding 25,000 miles a year.


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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by Uncle Hud »

Abercrombie FJR wrote: Sat May 19, 2018 12:05 am I'm blocking you. There is no reason to kill my enjoyment of riding trying to figure out how much each km costs. :stickpoke:
Do I have to convert to Canadian dollars if I do the math in KMs? Then convert back to US dollars and miles? Do time zones matter? How about the interest rate on my rebate dollars between when I pay the money and when Dunlop sends me the Visa card --- or actually, when I spend the rebate dollars?

Damn, Bungie Man. Not enough brain cells left to calculate all that stuff. I'll just stick to riding my FFF. (Fun-as-F*** FJR.)
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by Geezer »

The important factors in tire selection are how well the tire works for you, in your environment and your riding style, and whether you have enough rubber to get home.

If we were really concerned about pennies per mile or per km then we would be riding much less powerful machines, and having less fun. ;)
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Re: The Dunlop Road Smart III compared to Michelin PR2/PR4GT Dilemma

Post by El Toro Joe »

Uncle Hud wrote: Mon May 21, 2018 10:31 am
Abercrombie FJR wrote: Sat May 19, 2018 12:05 am I'm blocking you. There is no reason to kill my enjoyment of riding trying to figure out how much each km costs. :stickpoke:
Do I have to convert to Canadian dollars if I do the math in KMs? Then convert back to US dollars and miles? Do time zones matter? How about the interest rate on my rebate dollars between when I pay the money and when Dunlop sends me the Visa card --- or actually, when I spend the rebate dollars?

Damn, Bungie Man. Not enough brain cells left to calculate all that stuff. I'll just stick to riding my FFF. (Fun-as-F*** FJR.)
Damn...my head hurts now :(
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