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False pretense
Visually, the resemblance to the Sportsmart2 is striking and you would almost have to have them side by side to identify them for sure. This is the reason why they have the same name. But contrary to appearances, this in-depth evolution has nothing superficial precisely.
For Dunlop, the goal was to update the Sporsmart2 to meet the demands of hypersport riders who use their motorcycles on the road and occasionally on the racetrack. While the grip in the dry and in the wet was excellent, the points for improvement were in terms of temperature rise, mileage, feedback and overall behavior..
To achieve this, engineers used the basis of the Roadsmart III (RS3) before. An excellent starting point, because he had particularly seduced us during his presentation. In fact, like the RS3 it adopts a front construction with a rayon carcass ply, a fiber obtained from wood which offers the advantage of a faster temperature rise and greater flexibility from 20/25 °. An aramid belt advantageously replaces the old steel belt and improves the footprint. So the tire is reactive earlier, which was a request from the users. The new rubber blend is based on tri polymers and high dispersion silica for a more intimate blend and better grip in cold and wet conditions.
New profile
Very close to the RS3, the front profile is different from that of the old Sportsmart2. It significantly improves handling and angle feedback.
At the rear, however, no change in profile, only the design and the rubber change. The slick part is wider at the full angle, while the cavities improve drainage. Last but not least, before getting on the bike, Dunlop announces a 25% increase in longevity at the front and 10% at the rear. It is always interesting to have a front tire that lasts longer, this allows good behavior to be maintained until the end of the rear tire’s life..
Paradoxes
For this test, we find the superb Mireval test center, with its infrastructures entirely dedicated to development. Unfortunately, the renovation of the wet circuit will not allow us to do comparative tests in the wet as is customary at Dunlop. But if the torrential rains will allow us to gauge the tire in the wet, they will also prevent us from entering the high performance circuit, which is totally flooded! In short, our test will be summed up to 190 km of varied roads in torrential rain. And as much to say that we did not have more than one centimeter of dryness at the end of this test, the rain equipment not having withstood the violence of the elements. Under these conditions, we still had the opportunity to compare the Sportsmart2 max with its predecessor..
Bluffing !
So it is on the handlebars of a Kawasaki Z 1000 SX fitted with Sportsmart2 that our driving begins. From the start, the herd sets off at a good pace. If the grip is excellent, the handling is physical and following the group requires a good dose of attention and above all effort. After about sixty kilometers, we exchange the motorcycles and I swap my Z 1000 for the same model wearing Sportsmart2 Max. Immediately the difference is glaring. The bike is much easier, much less physical. In fact, as we force less, the precision of piloting increases. Now I am the group effortlessly. The feedback is much more present, the sensations and the pleasure are there, despite the sometimes dire conditions.
On small roads, we draw good trajectories, grip is important and confidence too. A real joy ! So and always without forcing, I accelerate and double to join the leading group in all serenity. Undoubtedly, there is Roadsmart3 in this hypersport and that is no small compliment. When accelerating, the rear collects the torque and the horses of the Z1000 without flinching, we can copiously wring the handle without causing evasion. The stability at high speed is impeccable, although we were not able to push the machines to the maximum as we would have done on the track..
Conclusion
We have to admit that the difficult driving conditions were not ideal for a hypersport supposed to prefer hot and dry asphalt. And yet, the Sportsmart 2 Max has displayed a mastery worthy of the best sport-GT. It is particularly effective on cold and slippery asphalt. Insofar as Dunlop assures us of having retained the level of grip of the Sportsmart2 in the dry, with improved steering precision, we say that the 2 Max is a serious customer in the category. We can’t wait to test it on hot, dry asphalt! Finally, if we tell you that it is made in Montluçon, therefore in France, that it is already available and that it is yours against around € 250 per train in 120/180, we wonder what makes you hesitate !
Availability / price
- Immediate availability
- Price: around € 250 excluding installation and balancing for a 120/180 X 17 train
Dimensions table
| Before | Back |
|---|---|
| 110/70 R 17 120/60 ZR 17 120/70 R 17 120/70 ZR 17 |
150/60 R 17 160/60 R17 160/60 ZR 17 180/55 ZR 17 180/60 ZR 17 190/50 ZR 17 190/55 ZR 17 200/55 ZR 17 |
Test conditions
- Itinerary: small varied roads + interurban highways with a bit of town
- Mileage: 190 km
- Problem encountered: Torrential rains, used and poorly sealed pilot equipment …
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