Dunlop Trail Smart Tires

tenbob

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Re: Trailsmarts?

Yeh did guess Dogdaze that being a new tyre, reviews wouldn't be coming in thick n fast. Not used to being a test mule tho ??? Never seem to hear many bad things about the PR4, but think I'm slowly being drawn to a slightly off road look for em this time? If it don't work out, I'll just be running back, tail between legs to full sport touring hoops for the next fitting. ::008::
 

Stridey

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Re: Trailsmarts?


Dogdaze said:
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.
I used that actual bike as the demo S10 at Fowlers and made my mind up to buy my New 14 S10!
However it didn't have the new Avons on when I demoed it but I remember the sales man stating that it was used on the Avon trial.


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Rasher

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Re: Trailsmarts?

I have lots of crappy lanes I like to ride on too, I think to get any benefit when there is shit / gravel on the road you need deeper grooves with them being both across and in line with (desired) direction of travel.

PR4 Trails / Trailsmarts / Tourances are for sure now way too road focussed, had the old style original Tourance on my V-Strom and compared to the latest version they look like full on knobblies.

Not seen Avons, but so far the only tyres I think have any chance of being noticeably better than my road tyres on looser stuff is the 70's, just undecided if I want to give up road performance / life for a shade more grip on the odd patch of gravel, although doubt I will exceed their capabilities on good dry roads, and I tempt to slow down a fair bit in the wet - but I still like a tyre that gives a lot of feel and confidence when the roads are soaking wet, nothing worse than teetering along in the grip of fear for a whole day when touring in the wet.
 

tenbob

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Re: Trailsmarts?

Rasher said:
I have lots of crappy lanes I like to ride on too, I think to get any benefit when there is shit / gravel on the road you need deeper grooves with them being both across and in line with (desired) direction of travel.

PR4 Trails / Trailsmarts / Tourances are for sure now way too road focussed, had the old style original Tourance on my V-Strom and compared to the latest version they look like full on knobblies.

Not seen Avons, but so far the only tyres I think have any chance of being noticeably better than my road tyres on looser stuff is the 70's, just undecided if I want to give up road performance / life for a shade more grip on the odd patch of gravel, although doubt I will exceed their capabilities on good dry roads, and I tempt to slow down a fair bit in the wet - but I still like a tyre that gives a lot of feel and confidence when the roads are soaking wet, nothing worse than teetering along in the grip of fear for a whole day when touring in the wet.
Was reading up on the Avon again a little earlier tonight. Some positive stuff said about there performance in the wet which is important to me too. Think most new, near full road biased hoops will be confident enough on the dry tarmac at least for my usage of mainly steady touring kinda riding with the occasional 15 min of scratchin thrown in... There obviously not going to set the off road alight, but again, come across some reviews/blogs that say they do a better job then the 90/10 tag suggests. Avon reckon between 6000 n 9000 miles life which is less than the sporting touring hoops I have on at the mo, but ain't a deal breaker for me. Really fancy trying a not purely road biased bit of rubber n the Avon are looking promising at the mo for me. Still reading tho... There's also Bridgestone A40's... ::)
 

Dogdaze

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Re: Trailsmarts?

My apologies, ignore most of the crap I wrote previously, I was having a senior moment and cross-referencing the Avon Trailriders with the tyres in question, the Trailsmarts. Although Avon were testing the Trailriders in Spring of 2015 on a Tenere..... that bit was accurate.
 

tenbob

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Re: Trailsmarts?

;) I have mixed it up a bit tho asking about the Trailsmarts originally, then waffling on about Trailriders... ::)
 

tenbob

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Re: Trailsmarts?

Update... Avon Trailriders it is. Booked in for fitment a week on Sat. Oh I can't wait to have some front end grip back... ::012:: Well, I best do! ???
 

tenbob

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Re: Trailsmarts?

Finally sat down to say somert about the new rubber, but really not a lot to say at mo, as obviously scrubbing them in n learning there traits. BUT, I will say from the ride home from em being fitted, I took the cold greasy back roads of our local Derbyshire Dales n it wasn't long before I forgot the conditions n was riding quite aggressive. Really felt sure footed. Haven't felt that for months, having left the previous hoops on a little too long which left me a smidhe nervy on iffy roads n with grimey weather. How they compare with other offerings out there, who knows. Lots to learn yet, but love how they look on me bike n feel confident there going to perform to me needs. Certainly arrived home buzzing... Another longer rideout tomoz to come, so hopefully I'll get more feel for em by the rides end. Just a thought, was quite funny that I found me self aiming for mud n shite on bends n whatever during today's ride. Not somert I'd of done before, even in me early days of riding on Storm 3D's. Roll on the morning... ::26::
 

Stridey

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Re: Trailsmarts?

Great you've got 'em fitted and liking them. If you get chance tomorrow post up some pics?
Looking forward to your next report.


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tenbob

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Re: Trailsmarts?

[smg id=2568 type=preview align=center caption=]
Stridey, not very good at giving out the science side of how there performing, so in simple terms they is wheelie good! ::) I'm deffo gelling with them. I know that when, so soon after swapping out I've pretty much forgot there new on. There just getting on with it and I'm just riding the bike n just having a lot of fun, so in my book, there working like it said on the tin. Bought them for coping with a little more back road shite n to be fair with the slimey weather we having, as ya can see stuck to me bike, their getting a good baptism... My confidence on the slime is back in spades. ::008:: Have noticed they change direction pretty quick, so should be a fun tyre for the roads I like to play on. Dare I say the big fat S10 feels quite nimble on theses hoops. Can't wait for some dry roads to go do some testy twisties. >:D. Wondered if they'd be a noisier tyre than the hoops I normally go for, but to be honest it's marginal n the Arrow drowns out most other noises anyhow's... ;D Bike seems stable as ever at 3 figure speeds ( so I've read ;)), so, so far there turning out to be the Swiss Army knife type of tyre I wanted. Lifespan is another matter, but not too fussed as long as they make me smile n feel safe... :)
 

Stridey

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Re: Avon Trailriders

Cheers tenbob! They look good. I agree that as long as they make you feel safe and give a reasonable life span then we shouldn't complain. At the end of the day its a personal choice we all make. I may try them next time but to be fair I am really liking my TKC70's!

I see you bought the bike from Fowlers from the picture? Ditto me to. A great place to do business with keen prices and lots of bikes to choose from.

Its good to see a (our only one?) British tyre manufacturer eventually coming up with an adventure tyre to suit these type of bikes.
 

tenbob

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Re: Trailsmarts?

Yeh the TKC's were up there in contender land, but having just put nearly 12000 miles on a set of Avons without wearing through n some good initial press with the Trailriders, I thought I'd take a punt. They look right on the Super which was important this time too. Best thing tho is they have a Union jack on the sidewalls that I can colour in with tyre pens... :D Priorities is priorities... ;D

Yep, Fowlers bought. Little 300 mile jaunt to chop in me beloved TDM. Got a breakie out of em, so worth paying over the odds for the S10... ??? Not really... :) Big place ain't it being on 2 floors. Could spend a lot of dosh in there if my lady boss let me have some... ::)
 

Stridey

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Re: Trailsmarts?

Scouse said:
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.
Scouse, any update on how you are getting on with the Trailriders?
thanks.
 

tenbob

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Re: Trailsmarts?

Stridey said:
Well Tenbob how about an update a month on?

I see there is another thread started for the Avon Trailriders.
Ooops, missed this. Must get notifications set up... Not a lot more to add really Stridey. Still like em. Had no issues so far and they performed well in the shite. More dry road use lately and the are unfazed with my naughty riding... >:D Have just upped the tyre pressures from 33/40 to my normal 36/42 to see how they fair. Don't notice any negs on fast roads, which is important to me so all in all, another great tyre to have as a choice...
 
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