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Dunlop RoadSmart III

The Dunlop RoadSmart III is a Premium Touring Summer tyre designed to be fitted to Motorcycles.

6.3
Tyre Reviews Score Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews
Limited Confidence View Breakdown
Dry Grip
91%
Wet Grip
89%
Road Feedback
89%
Handling
89%
Wear
89%
Comfort
88%
Buy again
87%
16 Reviews
89% Average
63,006 miles driven
1 Tests (avg: 2nd)
Dunlop RoadSmart III

Dunlop RoadSmart III

Summer Premium
BETA
6.3 / 10
Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews · Limited Confidence · Updated 30 Jan 2026

The Tyre Reviews Score is the most comprehensive tyre scoring system available. It aggregates professional test data from multiple independent publications, user reviews, and consistency analysis using Bayesian statistical methods, weighted normalisation, and recency-adjusted scoring to produce a single, reliable performance rating.

Learn more about our methodology
Dry
90.2
1.8x / 1 test

Cross-category scores are derived metrics that combine data from multiple test disciplines to evaluate real-world performance characteristics.

Braking
90.2
1 test
Score Components
Professional Tests
Weight: 80%
Tests: 1
Publications: 0
Period: 2020
User Reviews
Weight: 15%
Reviews: 16
Avg Rating: 88.9%
Min Required: 5
Consistency
Weight: 5%
Score Std Dev: 0.59
History Points: 10
Methodology & Configuration
Scoring Process
  1. Collect Test Data: Gather results from professional tyre tests across multiple publications. Minimum 1 test(s) required.
  2. Normalize Positions: Convert test positions to percentile scores using exponential weighting (factor: 1.2).
  3. Apply Recency Weighting: More recent tests are weighted higher with a decay rate of 0.95.
  4. Incorporate User Reviews: Factor in user review data (minimum 5 reviews). Weight: 15%.
  5. Bayesian Smoothing: Apply Bayesian prior (score: 7, weight: 1.5) to prevent extreme scores with limited data.
  6. Calculate Final Score: Combine all components using normalization factor of 1.1. Max score with limited data: 9.5.
Component Weights
Test Data
80%
User Reviews
15%
Consistency
5%
All Configuration Parameters
ParameterValueDescription
safety_weight 0.7 Weight multiplier for safety-related metrics
performance_weight 0.55 Weight multiplier for performance metrics
comfort_weight 0.4 Weight multiplier for comfort metrics
value_weight 0.45 Weight multiplier for value-for-money metrics
user_reviews_weight 0.15 How much user reviews contribute to the final score
test_data_weight 0.8 How much professional test data contributes to the final score
consistency_weight 0.05 How much score consistency contributes to the final score
recency_decay_rate 0.95 Rate at which older test results lose influence (higher = slower decay)
min_test_count 1 Minimum number of professional tests required
min_review_count 5 Minimum number of user reviews required
score_version 1.8 Current version of the scoring algorithm
score_normalization_factor 1.1 Factor used to normalize raw scores to the 0-10 scale
confidence_factor_weight 0.2 How much data confidence affects the final score
position_penalty_weight 0.2 Penalty applied for poor test positions
gap_penalty_threshold 8 Score gap (%) that triggers additional penalties
min_metrics_count 2 Minimum number of test metrics needed per test
limited_data_threshold 2 Number of tests below which data is considered limited
single_test_penalty 0.1 Score multiplier when only one test is available
critical_metric_penalty 0.7 Penalty for poor performance on critical safety metrics
critical_metric_threshold 70 Score below which a critical metric penalty applies
position_exponential_factor 1.2 Exponent used to amplify position-based scoring
position_exponential_threshold 0.9 Position percentile below which exponential scoring applies
gap_multiplier_critical 3 Multiplier for critical gap penalties
max_category_weight 2 Maximum weight any single category can have
max_score_limited_data 9.5 Score cap when data is limited
bayesian_prior_weight 1.5 Weight of the Bayesian prior in smoothing
bayesian_prior_score 7 Prior score used for Bayesian smoothing
evidence_test_multiplier 1.9 Multiplier for test evidence in confidence calculation
evidence_metric_divisor 3 Divisor for metric count in evidence calculation
evidence_review_divisor 10 Divisor for review count in evidence calculation
Data Sources
TestPublicationDateSizePositionMetrics
2020 Motorcycle Sports Touring Tyre Test 2020 180/55 R17 2/6 1 metrics
1
Tests
2nd
Average
2nd
Best
2nd
Worst
Latest Tyre Test Results
Linear and progressive, with a neutral feel. Super accurate with perfect tracking. Not quite as good from cold as the Metzelers, but once there's a tiny bit of heat, they're great. Good over bumps, but quite a firm ride overall.

Questions and Answers for the Dunlop RoadSmart III

Ask a question
September 21, 2016

I have a Kawasaki Versys 650 (2016) and looking to replace my rear tyre (Currently D222 Sportmax), what would be my best options? I will occasionally use on wet but mostly dry road conditions.

If you're looking at Dunlop tyres for mostly dry riding, the SportSmart range is worth looking at. The Michelin Pilot Road range is another well regarded alternative to the Roadsmart.
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Top 3 Dunlop RoadSmart III Reviews

Given 87% while driving a BMW K1600 GTL (190/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 6,500 spirited miles
Second set on a K1600 GTL: solo, pillion commuting and touring with and without luggage. Never let me down, and I found them to be great even when soaking wet.
Don't use the bike in very cold conditions, so can't comment on winter suitability.
I am now getting the Smart IV so I look forward to even better tyres.
Ask a question | Helpful 628
March 30, 2025
Given 70% while driving a Triumph Speed Triple (/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 miles
I would feel the rear tires slip slightly in turns when knee down in corners with any slight power input. I have not felt this slipping with the Bridgestone t32s. Lasted quite long even while running about 32 psi in the rear the whole life of the tire.
May 3, 2022
Yamaha TDM850 (170/70 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Outstanding tyres, never felt loosing grip both dry and wet roads. Very long mileage - 16500 km (10000 miles), half with luggage and passenger on mountain roads. Replaced with Michelin Pilot Road 4, also good tyres but very noisy compare to Dunlop. Definitely the best tyres I ever had on my Yamaha!
June 26, 2019
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Latest Dunlop RoadSmart III Reviews

Given 93% while driving a Suzuki Gsxr1000 k4 (190/55 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 9,000 spirited miles
Although these tyres are marketed as a sports touring tyre I decided to try them on my 2004 gsxr1000 k4 as I was fed up with having to purchase a set of tyres every 3 to 4 thousand miles and wanted something longer lasting. These are the best tyres I have ever fitted to my 1000 gsxr. They don't move whatsoever in the dry and with the front profile turn in really sharp. Just look where you want to go and your there. In the wet they are just as good and I allways rode with 36f/42r. I rode to France twice and over to the t.t. When I sold the bike I still had the receipt with the fitting mileage on and couldn't believe the back was just beginning to square very slightly but the front still looked brand new. The mileage 9000 miles! Unbelieavable. My current gsxr1000r L8 came with bridgestone rs10s which are nice and square after less than 4000 miles so will be fitted with the sportsmart 3s pretty soon.
Couldn't recommend them highly enough.
January 4, 2020
Given 91% while driving a BMW 218d Active Tourer (190/55 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 1,500 average miles
BMW K1600 GTL E
Best tyres to date, love them and can't fault them.
Yes, I will be fitting them again and to my Deauville when I get the chance.
December 29, 2019
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
Given 98% while driving a BMW K1600 GTL (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 average miles
BMW K1600GTL. First class tyre when fitted to this bike. I am not going to go on about them other than to say Great tyres and I would definitely buy again.
May 3, 2019
Given 97% while driving a (190/50 R17) on for 0 miles
The tires I have experienced long term on both my gsxr1000's covering a total distance of 230,000 klms have been the following:
bridgelstone s20r....oem (came with the bike) ...ok upto 8,000 klms..too soft and wear uneven.
michelin pilot road 3...Crap, they wear very unevenly and are too squirmy and pick up too many flats as the tread is too busy..like it attracts flat tyres.
michelin pilot power 3... Good tyre up to 10,000 klms
DUNLOP road smart 3....About 17,000 klms a set front and back. The absolute best for longevity and performance, as good as a sport tyre with touring ability, I have not had any flat spot yet on front or rear. Great at speed (knee dragging) cornering. This tire is planted when on its edges. Thoroughly recommend and will definitely keep buying..on my 3rd set now. Oh! did I say CHEAP!!!! Very affordable $450 for pair deal.
March 11, 2019
Given 86% while driving a Honda VFR1200FD (190/55 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 4,000 spirited miles
This pair of Roadsmart 3 tyres were bought for a trip from the Welsh borders to Southern France and back lasting 2 weeks, solo first week, pillion second week using motorways there and back with full luggage, hard riding in Alpine passes and gorges (no luggage) while there.
Rating: overall great tyres easily lasting the 4,000 mile round trip with excellent dry grip and enough grip to cope in the wet (didn't push the lean angles but hard wet braking never resulted in the ABS kicking in). Nice profile with effortless leaning into corners. Absorbed the worst road conditions with ease (especially in the UK!). After 4,000 miles the front is still above the wear markers by about 1mm with plenty left on the rear, the latter probably has another couple of thousand in it. Not surprised the front wore more quickly given the braking forces required for downhill hairpins on a heavy bike. With more modest riding I'd say it would match the rear for longevity.
June 20, 2018
Given 86% while driving a (180/55 R17) on for 0 miles
Follow up from earlier review of RS3 on my BMW F800GT

The front RS3 was replaced at 6,000km. I was expecting more km's but maybe this was in part down to the front suspension not working ideally. Replaced with Metzeler Z8 and at 5,600km it's nearly shot.
The rear was replaced at 13,000km.
Both tyres should have been replaced 1,000km's before they were.

The rear performed impeccably, even on wet dirty roads and was very reassuring. Got the most km's out of any rear tyre i have used before.
Now trying Metzelers new Interact 01. If this tyre is not as good with similar longevity, back to the RoadSmart 3.

Would happily fit RS3's again and can recommend them, and they are the cheapest of the 'known brand' tyres of this S/T category.
July 4, 2016
Given 87% while driving a Kawasaki z1000 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 500 spirited miles
Have to say I've always run Dunlop Sport Smarts so was interested to see what these were like compared to the old tyres. Have to say that they have not disappointed.

Plenty of grip (well enough for my riding abilities) and haven't let go once. There was a little slide in sketchy conditions a few weeks ago, going from dry road to wet and then back to dry travelling at dry road speeds. They recovered well and gave good drive.

Tyres warm up well and have a good amount of edge grip.

I've got these on my ZZR1400 as well but that will be used on my upcoming trip to the Isle of Man. Must say, I am really looking forward to running them over the Mountain section of the course!
May 12, 2016
Given 85% while driving a BMW F800GT (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 3,000 spirited miles
These RS3 tyres are on a BMW F800GT motorcycle.

They have not been used in the wet (yet).

The front tyre has 2600km and the rear 3700km to date. Both are wearing OK with the eventual flat section from cornering on the front tyre (rhs) half just starting to show itself. The rear is wearing uniformly.

They are typical RS Dunlop's in that they have stiff carcasses which sharpens up steering, gives a firm but not hard ride and gives good feedback.

I gave dry grip 9 as i have no idea what their limit is but with spirited riding so far they have not let go or slipped.

I used a set of RS2's on a Honda VFR800 before i got the BMW and of the 6 different make/model sets of tyres used on this bike, the RS2's were my favorite and got the most KM's. From the Dunlop PR blurb, the RS3's should be as good if not better. So far the RS2 & RS3 feel the same but hopefully there will be extra km's available.

If they get the extra km's will likely buy again, especially the rear. I may go for a Dunlop Q3 on the front next time.

Maybe an up date in the future if i can.
February 14, 2016