Dunlop produced the world’s first pneumatic tyre back in 1888. They started out making tyres for bicycles, but demand soon saw them branch out into every kind of vehicle, especially motorcycles. Over 130 years on, Dunlop are synonymous with performance, particularly in motorcycle racing circles.
They’ve also been the original equipment tyre for Harley-Davidson for close to 40 years, and their classic whitewall tyre, first introduced in 1992, is still a familiar sight on custom and cruiser bikes. Dunlop’s race to road philosophy means breakthroughs made on track have a habit of filtering down into their everyday road tyres and broadly speaking, we reckon Dunlop are at the performance end in the various motorcycle tyre categories.
At the sharp end, Dunlop’s KR106 and KR108 slicks were on Peter Hickman’s BMW S1000RR when he set the fastest ever Isle of Man TT lap in 2018, at an average of 135.432mph. That’s about as good a proving ground as motorcycle tyres get.
Our Dunlop Motorcycle Tyre Range
We have a motorcycle tyre fitting workshop in London and we’re an official Dunlop UK Pro Dealer, stocking a wide range of Dunlop tyres from adventure and touring through to race slicks and Harley-Davidson fitments. We stock all the popular sizes ready to fit, and if we don’t have what you need on the shelf, we can order it in for next day fitting or have it delivered anywhere in the UK. Just give us a call on 0207 205 2205 to discuss what you need.
Dunlop motorcycle tyres by type
We’ve listed Dunlop’s motorcycle tyre range by common application and picked the most popular tyre for each category. We’ve also listed the other tyres worth considering in that sector.
Adventure
Dunlop Trailmax Raid
The Trailmax Raid is Dunlop’s most off-road capable tyre that still suits big adventure bikes like the BMW GS, so think of it as Dunlop’s answer to the Bridgestone AX41, Metzeler Karoo 4 or Michelin Anakee Wild. It’ll happily tackle green lanes and gravel tracks while still being a sensible fitment for the miles you cover getting there and back.
Other tyres in this category: If you want to go knobblier still, the Trailmax D606 is about as off-road focused as it gets, but it’s really built for smaller, purely trail or off-road focused bikes rather than big adventure machines, so it’s not the one to reach for on a GS or similar. The Trailmax Mission sits between the Raid and the more road-biased options, offering more off-road bias than a tyre like the Metzeler Karoo Street or Michelin Anakee Adventure 2, and it’s steadily building a cult following of its own. For riders who mostly stay on tarmac, the Trailmax Meridian is Dunlop’s road-biased adventure tyre, playing a similar role to something like the Metzeler Tourance Next 2. Dunlop also make the Mutant, a genuinely unusual all-bikes, all-terrain crossover tyre available in adventure sizes as well as road bike sizes, more on that below.
Sport Touring
Dunlop Roadsmart IV
The Roadsmart IV is Dunlop’s current sport touring flagship, and a genuine favourite for bikes covering serious mileage. While the Roadsmart IV is made in sizes to suit all road bikes, it is also available with a 19-inch front, which will fit some common Adventure bikes.
Other tyres in this category: The Roadsmart III is still in production and remains a great option if you don’t need the very latest compound, a Motorrad test-winning tyre in its own right. The Mutant is also worth a mention here. It’s a bit of an odd tyre, blending sports tyre grip with a tread pattern that looks more like a supermoto wet, but it’s genuinely capable in changing weather and available in road bike sizes, making it an interesting crossover option for naked bike riders and commuters as much as adventure riders.
Fast Road / Sport
Dunlop Sportsmart TT
The Sportsmart TT isn’t the sportiest road legal Dunlop tyre (that goes to the D213GP) but it’s the one we’d recommend for Fast Road / Track riding. It’s genuinely trackday capable while still working as an everyday road tyre. While the D213 offers slightly more grip, the Sportsmart TT is easier to work and keep up to temperature on the road. And it crosses over neatly into the Road Legal Trackday category below.
Other tyres in this category: The Sportsmart Mk4 is the current all-round sport tyre, while the older Sportsmart Mk3 still sits nicely between the Roadsmart III and the more track-focused Sportsmart TT, a great choice for fast road riders who want sharp handling with decent wear and all-weather ability. For sub-100bhp sports bikes, the Qualifier Core is a lower-priced option that’s plenty capable without the cost of the flagship tyres.
Road Legal Trackday
Dunlop D213GP Pro
The D213GP Pro is Dunlop’s cutting edge track offering, about as close to a full motorsport slick as you can get while remaining road legal. We wouldn’t recommend it for everyday road use, it’s built for serious trackday riders who want race-level performance and are happy to run tyre warmers to get the best from it.
Other tyres in this category: The D211 GP Racer and D212 GP Racer Treaded are lower cost, older compound road legal track tyres, a sensible step if you don’t need the outright performance of the D213GP Pro. The Sportsmart TT also belongs here as much as it does in the Fast Road section above, genuinely capable of a fast trackday session while still being a great everyday road tyre.
Racing Slick
Dunlop D212 GP Racer Slick
The D212 GP Racer Slick is a great entry point into slicks, offering really good performance for trackday riders and club racers stepping up from treaded tyres for the first time.
Other tyres in this category: The KR106 + KR108 are Dunlop’s serious motorsport slicks, the same tyres used to set Isle of Man TT lap records. They’re only really worth the investment if you’re at the sharp end of the fast group or racing, for most trackday riders the D212 GP Racer Slick will do everything you need.
Cruiser / Custom
Dunlop D404
Dunlop produce a lot of tyres as OE fitment for Harley-Davidson, but the D404 is by far the most popular for Harleys and all other cruisers. It offers a classic cruiser look with a good balance of mileage and grip in wet and dry conditions. Everything else in Dunlop’s cruiser range is fairly niche by comparison, so if in doubt, this is the one to go for.
Classic / Retro
Dunlop TT100 GP
The TT100 GP is the standout tyre in Dunlop’s retro range, a modern reinterpretation of the famous TT100 that gives classic and modern-retro bikes period-correct looks without giving up modern-day grip and wet weather performance.
Common Questions
What pressures should I run my Dunlop motorcycle tyres at? Always check your bike’s handbook first, as pressures vary by model and load. As a general guide for road riding, we recommend around 36psi front and 42psi rear, adjusting slightly for a pillion or luggage.
What is the longest lasting Dunlop motorcycle tyre? If you want a Dunlop tyre that racks up serious miles, the Roadsmart IV is a great shout for sport touring, and adventure riders doing high mileage tend to get excellent life from the Trailmax Meridian too.
Where are Dunlop’s motorcycle tyres made? Dunlop produces motorcycle tyres across several manufacturing facilities worldwide as part of the wider Sumitomo Rubber Industries group.
Can I run two different tyres on a motorcycle? We don’t recommend mixing brands front and rear, as tyres are designed and tested as a pair. If you’re in a tight spot and only one tyre is available, it’s sensible to fit it and get moving, but replace the other tyre with a matching set as soon as you can.
How much does it cost to fit motorcycle tyres? Here at Two Tyres we have a London motorcycle workshop. You can see our tyre fitting and workshop prices here. That includes removal and fitting, balancing, new valves and environmental tyre disposal.
If you’re outside London, your local fitter will likely charge a similar amount.
What’s the average life of a Dunlop motorcycle tyre? This depends heavily on the tyre’s compound and how it’s ridden. As a rough guide, sport tyres like the Sportsmart TT might get 4,000-5,000 miles on the road, while a touring tyre like the Roadsmart IV can comfortably see 6,000+ miles depending on riding style and conditions. Trackday and slick tyres will wear far faster, especially the rear.
Is the D213GP Pro safe to ride on the road? It’s road legal, but we wouldn’t recommend it for everyday road riding. It’s designed and compounded for track use, and performs best up to temperature with tyre warmers, which isn’t practical for road use. If you want something with genuine trackday performance that also works well cold on the road, the Sportsmart TT is a better everyday choice.
Any other questions? If you have a question about motorcycle or scooter tyres, give us a call on 0207 205 2205. We’ll be happy to help.
