Dunlop Trail Smart Tires

[tenbob]

Well I'm starting my search for a new set of hoops. Done 11000 miles so far on a set of Avon Storm 3D's and there still seems to be plenty of physical life in them yet, but have not been over confident with there handling (in the wet especially) for a while now. They were a very good boot for the most part of there life. Perhaps fancy a change this time tho and like the look of the Dunlop TR91 successor, the Trailsmarts. Done a search for the specific name on ere with no finds and also read other various tyre threads with not much info on them at all. Seems the TR91 was well regarded so wondered if anyone is or was using the Trailsmarts and what's your opinions regarding dry, wet tarmac grip and handling and longevity...

 

[Rasher]

Re: Trailsmarts?

I would expect them to very good, probably based on the Roadsmart 2 with a different tread pattern.

I have been running Roadsmarts / Roadsmart 2's since the original RS came out @2009, on several bikes. They always work very well, wet grip has always been as good or better than anything else on the market, and in the dry they give far more grip than I can use - and will grip well beyond the S10's ground clearance. They also warm up quick, and work very well in cold conditions.

As I don't ride off road I tend to run the road rubber, IMO the 90/10 tyres will not give any noticeable advantage off road, the Roadsmarts are fine on hard packed dirt tracks and gravel which is about as far as I venture.

 

[tenbob]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Actually mate, the Roadsmarts were a front runner to try and still are. ::008:: Just wondered if the marginal extra off road bias of the Trails would work a little better on shitty country back roads where ya more like to come across loose gravel n tractor mud, etc. Seem to be riding these roads a little more often recently on me travels and had a few butt clenches. Deffo want wet weather performance to be top notch and suppose a decent lifespan wouldn't go amiss, even if somewhat off what the Storm 3D's have achieved so far.

 

[Stridey]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Actually mate, the Roadsmarts were a front runner to try and still are. ::008:: Just wondered if the marginal extra off road bias of the Trails would work a little better on shitty country back roads where ya more like to come across loose gravel n tractor mud, etc. Seem to be riding these roads a little more often recently on me travels and had a few butt clenches. Deffo want wet weather performance to be top notch and suppose a decent lifespan wouldn't go amiss, even if somewhat off what the Storm 3D's have achieved so far.

IMHO Conti tkc70'S will be best for the "shitty country back roads......................etc" as we have these down 'ere in the West Country a plenty! I use these on my S10 and with the excellent traction control and linked brakes with ABS they work a peach! Also grip like glue on wet (constant at mo in UK) standard A & B roads. I would rate them a 80/20 bias.

 

[tenbob]

Re: Trailsmarts?

IMHO Conti tkc70'S will be best for the "shitty country back roads......................etc" as we have these down 'ere in the West Country a plenty! I use these on my S10 and with the excellent traction control and linked brakes with ABS they work a peach! Also grip like glue on wet (constant at mo in UK) standard A & B roads. I would rate them a 80/20 bias.

Tiz a snarly looking hoop the TCK , which just looks right on this type of bike, but thought I'd be loosing out on wet grip and lifespan in comparison to the other 2 previously mentioned. Also, I imagined they would be more noisey as the speed increases on longer runs? If I'm being honest, the TCK's would be my first choice solely on there looks (vanity strikes again ) but thought I should hold back and look for more on road bias. I also freely admit to being a little confused!

 

[Scouse]

Re: Trailsmarts?

I had TR91's on my Stelvio. They were excellent wet or dry, but found I had to replace at 5000 miles due to the centre wearing down. My original fit Battlewings are now up for replacement coming up to 6000miles, having squared off.
I have just ordered a pair of Avon Trailriders to be fitted at the 6000 mile service, I haven't ridden on Avon tyres for over 10 years, last were Distanzias on a BMW R80st converted for trail riding. I hope these new ones will be better.

 

[Stridey]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Tiz a snarly looking hoop the TCK , which just looks right on this type of bike, but thought I'd be loosing out on wet grip and lifespan in comparison to the other 2 previously mentioned. Also, I imagined they would be more noisey as the speed increases on longer runs? If I'm being honest, the TCK's would be my first choice solely on there looks (vanity strikes again ) but thought I should hold back and look for more on road bias. I also freely admit to being a little confused!

It's a science tyre choice these days!
TKC70 will grip well in wet so no problems there being a modern tyre with silica based compounds.
I'm not sure on life span though but I suspect they will get about 6000 on back. Some issues about cupping on front but not an issue for me. There is loads of info on this on here.
Avon trailrider are new to market but have a good write up and could be a good contender and being British you can fly the flag to. These may be an option for me next time.
Whatever you go for choose a tyre you want as you have a lot of choice!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[2112]

Re: Trailsmarts?

I have the TKC 70's and I'm very impressed with them. Excellent on gravel & horse poop (essential in Northumberland...) and good in the wet too. No noticeable road noise either and very neutral turn in, I love 'em. They won't last 11,000 miles though.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Funny about how we each have different feelings about tires. I had the TKC70s and hated them, first from feel and then from how the front was wearing. There're a number of folks on ADV who've also not liked them and we have our own thread here about them.

 

[tenbob]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Opposing opinions is why I'm getting a little mixed on which way to turn Checkswrecks and over analysing is sure to be all to common amongst us when it comes to rubber boots, but as ever, trying to improve the odds for the educated guess on which hoop to shell out on... :
As just mentioned, the TCK's more often than not tend to get favourable comments... From the looks of it so far, the Trailsmarts haven't been tried n tested too many times on ere, so will have to rely a bit on the older TR91 ' for pros n cons if I happen to go that route. I'm like this in a bloody candy shop :'( never know which choc bar to have, so I tend to take a few! Not a trait I can use ere I'm afraid... :-\

 

[Scouse]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Stridey did you used to post on the GuzziTech forum as UK Stridey? and did we meet at the Guzzi rally at south Wales in July 2013? I used to post as Fatal on Guzzitech.

Sorry off topic please forgive.

 

[tenbob]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Oooo thought it were a incoming glowing review of the Trailsmarts.... Oh well, carry on chaps.

 

[ord13]

Re: Trailsmarts?

I have a pair of Trailsmarts on my bike for 3000.00 kms now, replacing a pair of TR91.

Grip is good enough to use the entire tread, no unused rubber, good stability in large or medium curves as far as smaller corners.
Vivacity is better than TR91's, no more vibrations or shimmy (91 did that), and longevity I don't know, I change my tires before wear limit.

For me they are better at everything than "old" TR91 and footpegs are anyway the limit of that bike (so...), acceptable also in case of not too muddy moderated off-road, so these tires are good enough for me (tried also Tourance Next, what a grand'Pas' tires they commit, close the parenthesis).

My (very personal and necessarily subjective) opinion about these tires is buy it and forget you have it, just ride ::001::

 

[tenbob]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Nice one ord13. ::008:: Was giving up hope on user opinion for this tyre... Just to add, would you say there gripped well in wet weather and that there quiet on the road at speed?

 

[ord13]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Sry I forgot the wet part of your question

As I am an authentic dead chicken under the rain, I cannot say I've really tested grip in wet conditions.
I can just say that I've never had bad surprise with these tires, except when riding undergrowth roads (never completely dry in this season).
But again, I've not fully tested these tires in wet conditions, so my opinion may be altered by my natural cowardice face unleashed elements... :-[

... and I didn't notice excessive noise on rhe road, noise from air swirl from the windshield being my main noise concern on this bike.

 

[tenbob]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Sry I forgot the wet part of your question

As I am an authentic dead chicken under the rain, I cannot say I've really tested grip in wet conditions.
I can just say that I've never had bad surprise with these tires, except when riding undergrowth roads (never completely dry in this season).
But again, I've not fully tested these tires in wet conditions, so my opinion may be altered by my natural cowardice face unleashed elements... :-[

... and I didn't notice excessive noise on rhe road, noise from air swirl from the windshield being my main noise concern on this bike.

Thanks matey!

 

[Stridey]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Stridey did you used to post on the GuzziTech forum as UK Stridey? and did we meet at the Guzzi rally at south Wales in July 2013? I used to post as Fatal on Guzzitech.

Sorry off topic please forgive.

Yes Al thats me!

There at least three of us on here ex Guzzitech and ex Guzzi riders!

As its totally off topic then perhaps we should PM?

cheers
Mark

 

[Stridey]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Opposing opinions is why I'm getting a little mixed on which way to turn Checkswrecks and over analysing is sure to be all to common amongst us when it comes to rubber boots, but as ever, trying to improve the odds for the educated guess on which hoop to shell out on... :
As just mentioned, the TCK's more often than not tend to get favourable comments... From the looks of it so far, the Trailsmarts haven't been tried n tested too many times on ere, so will have to rely a bit on the older TR91 ' for pros n cons if I happen to go that route. I'm like this in a bloody candy shop :'( never know which choc bar to have, so I tend to take a few! Not a trait I can use ere I'm afraid... :-\

Any news on what your going for yet?

ps. by the way its TKC70 ::002::

 

[tenbob]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Yokohoma's! ;D Urrmmm?.., Still in the candy shop choosing Stridey, but lately been swinging (ooo err ) towards the new Avon Trailrider. : Been happy with the Avon boots which have been on me bike for around 11000 miles and counting, well at least for the biggest lump of the miles done, so figured why not try the Trails which they have supposed to off thrown a lot of effort into n at the same time for me, get a little shite back road ability and a fairly aggressive off road look the Ten deserves in me humbles... Can sit on me hands for a little while yet as I soak up what info I comes forward... Shame there's not been more user opinions of the Trailsmarts on ere, but hey ho... 8)

P's...

[ps. by the way its TKC70 ::002::/quote]

I remember the tapes well. Least I dint say TKmax!

 

[Dogdaze]

Re: Trailsmarts?

Tenbob, regarding the Trailsmarts, with little or no info as they have only been available since June 2015 I believe, prior to that they were being road and track tested up until early May, even used a Tenere courtesy of Fowlers of Bristol............ I was hoping to put a set on, but they were not available here even in August, so went with PR4 Trails, which btw are excellent, even in the wet and cold roads.