Best Tires for Sport Touring Bikes

The 1970s were a magical time for motorcycling. The Japanese Big Four manufacturers were going through their “bigger is better” period. The outcome was the arrival of some of the most iconic motorcycles to grace the tarmac. 

While the Z1000, GS750, CBX1000, and XS1100 duked it out for the king of the street title, BMW quietly launched the R1000RS. The full-faired bike with a boxer twin was fast, yet laid-back. It could carry two plus luggage without breaking a sweat and bend-swing like a pro.  

The big Beemer, heralded in the press as the first sports tourer, launched an entirely new biking genre. What’s more, one which other motorcycle manufacturers had to run to catch up with if they were to compete. 

Today’s sports tourers are big, heavy, and fast. Thanks to modern technology and engineering, they will carry a rider pillion and luggage at blistering speeds. Furthermore, their handling characteristics outclass mid-range sports bikes. All of which are great for riders and a challenge for tire manufacturers. 

Thankfully Dunlop rose to the challenge. The result is a tire range capable of coping with the demands of modern big-bore sport touring motorcycles.

Sportmax Roadsmart III and IV

One of the top features of Sportmax Roadsmart tires is their ability to handle long distances. Thanks to a clever combination of rubber and silica, the tire’s high mileage ability are not at the cost of superior wet-weather traction and maneuvering capabilities.

 The Roadsmart III outperformed the competition by more than 3,000 miles in independent tests.

Raising the bar even higher is the  Roadsmart IV. This tire boasts a remarkable 23% increase in front-tire mileage. The rear tire also provides 26% more mileage than the III series.

The steering efforts of these tires are 15% lighter than the Roadsmart III series, thanks to a revised tire profile. 

The culmination of these impressive figures is a tire that can rack up the miles while offering excellent handling feedback and superior levels of comfort.

Mutant

The Dunlop Mutant tire has an aggressive tread pattern and is capable of handling whatever the road throws its way.

The Mutant’s unique design sets it apart from every other sport-touring tire. 

Deep channels force rain to the tire’s outer edges for superior wet weather tracking. Meanwhile, the tire’s stepped block-type tread pattern is more than capable of taking poorly paved roads in its stride.  

Thanks to the Multi-Tread compound, the Mutant oozes confidence in the bends. With sizes to cover over 250 bike models, the Mutant may be one of the most versatile and competent sport touring tires.

Choosing the Right Tires For Touring Bikes

When choosing the right sport touring tires, you need to break down how you clock up the miles. Far and fast will need a different tire to slow and steady, while high mileage is top of the list for some riders.

Are you looking for professional advice on the best sport touring tires for your motorcycle? Whichever model you ride, locate your nearest Dunlop motorcycle dealer here