Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tyre - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated March 2025.
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.
Winner: Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE
Every independent test of the Dunlop RoadSmart III, newest first
How many miles does the Dunlop RoadSmart III last?
Based on test and owner data, the Dunlop RoadSmart III is expected to last around 9,600 miles (15,450 km).
How comfortable and quiet are the Dunlop RoadSmart III?
Owners rate the Dunlop RoadSmart III 8.8 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 11 reviews.
How well do the Dunlop RoadSmart III wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Dunlop RoadSmart III 8.9 out of 10 for wear across 11 reviews. 1 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 3,500 miles.
Would owners buy the Dunlop RoadSmart III again?
87% of owners say they would buy the Dunlop RoadSmart III again, based on the 15 owner reviews that answered the question. 47% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What does the Dunlop RoadSmart III replace?
The Dunlop RoadSmart III is the successor to the Dunlop RoadSmart II in Dunlop's range.
Questions and Answers for the Dunlop RoadSmart III
I have a Kawasaki Versys 650 (2016) and looking to replace my rear tyre (Currently D222 Sportmax), what would be my best options? Show moreI 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. Show less
September 21, 2016
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.
Across 16 owner ratings the Dunlop RoadSmart III averages 89%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 9.1 out of 10 and Comfort lowest at 8.8. 1 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 100% of owners score it 70% or better.
Owner ratings averaged from 16 ratings
Owner score89%
Dry Grip91%
Road Feedback89%
Wet Grip89%
Wear89%
Handling89%
Comfort88%
Featured reviews
Most helpful 87%
“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...”
“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...”
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.
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.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
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.
Which tyres do you drive?
Researching the Dunlop RoadSmart III? Rate the tyres you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
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!
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.
97%
Member
190/50 R17
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.
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.
86%
Member
180/55 R17
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.
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!
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.
