Dunlop vs. Michelin: Ultimate Motorcycle Sport Touring Tire Showdown, Part 1

Dunlop vs. Michelin: Ultimate Motorcycle Sport Touring Tire Showdown, Part 1

Posted by Schad VanLeeuwen on Aug 4th 2025

When it comes to sport-touring motorcycles, tires are your connection to the road—and they can make or break your ride experience. To help riders like you make an informed choice, we asked: which tire truly delivers the best performance in dry track conditions? In this first installment, we’re going head-to-head: Dunlop Roadsmart IV vs. Michelin Road 6.

Why These Tires?

Both models are top picks for sport-tourers seeking long mileage without sacrificing grip:

  • Dunlop Roadsmart IV — engineered for improved tread wear, wet grip, and stable handling thanks to Hi-Silica X + Fine Carbon compounds and Multi-Tread™ construction.
  • Michelin Road 6 — enhanced cold-weather grip with Water Evergrip and Silica Technology, plus 10% longer tread life vs. Road 5.

How We Tested

Part 1 focuses on dry-track performance:

  • Braking distances
  • Lean-angle grip and cornering stability
  • High-speed behavior
  • Lap Times

Watch all the action in our YouTube video:

First Impressions

  • Dunlop Roadsmart IV: Sporty and quick to turn in, offering strong mid-corner grip under aggressive riding.
  • Michelin Road 6: Smooth and confidence-inspiring, with predictable handling and strong stability.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Check out the video above to see which tire prevailed on the track. Spoiler: both show impressive strengths—but one definitely has the edge in dry grip and responsiveness.

Coming in Part 2 and Part 3

We’ll switch to street and wet tests, putting these tires through real-world riding scenarios. Want to see how they compare in rain, highway stability, and comfort over mileage? Stay tuned.