Michelin Road 6 or Dunlop Roadsmart 4

edgekasey

CB650R ABS
Jul 6, 2022
Riding Since
2021
I'm torn!

I don't like the stock Dunlops on my bike so that kinda makes me lean to the Road 6

But everything I read about the Roadsmart 4 is that they are amazing. I can also get them a 100 bucks less for the set..... arghh


what to do
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
Lot's of tire talk on here already, so please be sure to look at what has been written and jump into one of those.

I will say this: I LOVE the Road 6's. To me there are no better sport touring tires available today. Having said that they are premium priced and may not be "worth" it in other peoples minds. I bought a set of Roadsmart 4's and returned them before mounting because I just didn't see any reviews saying they were "better" than the R6's just that they were cheaper and about as good. I don't want to ever skimp on tires and I know the Road series is a solid tire; so far they have lived up to their reputation and have been a step up from the 5's. I run them on my Tracer GT and my Sprint GT.
 

edgekasey

CB650R ABS
Jul 6, 2022
Riding Since
2021
Lot's of tire talk on here already, so please be sure to look at what has been written and jump into one of those.

I will say this: I LOVE the Road 6's. To me there are no better sport touring tires available today. Having said that they are premium priced and may not be "worth" it in other peoples minds. I bought a set of Roadsmart 4's and returned them before mounting because I just didn't see any reviews saying they were "better" than the R6's just that they were cheaper and about as good. I don't want to ever skimp on tires and I know the Road series is a solid tire; so far they have lived up to their reputation and have been a step up from the 5's. I run them on my Tracer GT and my Sprint GT.
Thank you for the reply.

Yea I have been reading here and everywhere about these tires for awhile.
I actually decided to pull the trigger on the Michelins! So looking forward for the warm weather and riding season to start now!
Seeing your post makes me feel even better with my choice.
 

Raginginferno22

2019
CBR650R
Jan 28, 2023
Riding Since
2019
I have a pair of hyper sport tires that are exceptionally slick when cold, especially in the snow and they have caused me to drop my bike when rolling it over some snow for storage.
They were on the bike when I bought it. Battleax s22 I believe. Will change promptly when they wear out for a nice pair of road 6’s or other comparable tires
 

Brammers

2014
CBR650F ABS
Staff
May 30, 2014
Hampshire, England
I've got the r6 rear and an r5 front (until it gets replaced).

I replaced the oem tyres with road4s and never looked back.

Totally agree with Mike... The only tyre choice for the road if you are not budget constrained.

J
 

MacRoadster

CB650R ABS
Sep 5, 2024
Riding Since
1993
I'm also trying to choose between the Roadsmart 4 and Road 6 for the next tyre upgrade.

I had Road 4 on my Tracer 7 and liked them on wet but didn't liked much of the front tyre on dry. Had two slides with them. After that, lowered the pressure a bit and never had more problems again. However never regained full confidence on that front tyre again.

It seems the Road 6 are much better than previous Michelins, but comparing to the Roadsmart 4, it seems they are on the same level.
From the reviews, Roadsmart 4 is better on braking/acceleration grip and nimble handling, while Road 6 have more grip when leaning and give more confidence. But differences are small and both are great tyres.

Maybe I'll just pick the better deal or the better looking ones 😅
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
I'm also trying to choose between the Roadsmart 4 and Road 6 for the next tyre upgrade.

I had Road 4 on my Tracer 7 and liked them on wet but didn't liked much of the front tyre on dry. Had two slides with them. After that, lowered the pressure a bit and never had more problems again. However never regained full confidence on that front tyre again.

It seems the Road 6 are much better than previous Michelins, but comparing to the Roadsmart 4, it seems they are on the same level.
From the reviews, Roadsmart 4 is better on braking/acceleration grip and nimble handling, while Road 6 have more grip when leaning and give more confidence. But differences are small and both are great tyres.

Maybe I'll just pick the better deal or the better looking ones 😅
I’ve had nothing but great experiences with the Road 6, just bought a set for my Super Duke GT. I run like 34 front, 36-38 rear and they stick like a supersport tire and wear extremely well.

I‘ve read decent things about the Roadsmart's but me and Dunlop tires do not get along so I do not have any experience; I honestly don’t think you’d go wrong with either. Metzler Roadtec 2 are also supposed to be great ST tires but I chose old faithful over something new-to-me.
 

Bran

2021
CBR650R ABS
Aug 31, 2022
uk
Riding Since
2010
As stated lots of tyre talk on this site. I opted for the Metzler Roadtec 02's and have been very impressed, but wonder if they are suited to UK roads better than some others. Our surfaces are hard wearing compared to Europe and generally warmer climates.
 

FinCB650R

CB650R ABS
Jun 11, 2023
Finland
Riding Since
2023
I'm torn!

I don't like the stock Dunlops on my bike so that kinda makes me lean to the Road 6

what to do

I hated the OEM dunbools on the bike, swpped to Road 6's last season. Been happy with the Maichelinos. Can recommend.

(Power 6's are not far from Road's so.. also a good option. Friend opted for the powers and he has been happy with them.)
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
(Power 6's are not far from Road's so.. also a good option. Friend opted for the powers and he has been happy with them.)
The Power's are amazing tires, but they get about 1/3 to MAYBE 1/2 of the mileage of the Road's in my experience. Doesn't help the bike I had the Power's on was my fun bike but they get significantly less mileage. Powers square off in the middle VERY easily, the Roads take much more time and effort to do so.
 

MacRoadster

CB650R ABS
Sep 5, 2024
Riding Since
1993
Finally, I have new tyres on the bike! 😁

After 7000Kms and riding with a cut with about 5cm for three months on the rear tyre, got a big screw on the same tyre! So, gave up trying to maximise the standard Dunlops and replaced them.
Good grip on wet was my top priority, since I ride in all weather.
I was considering the Roadsmart 4, Mutants and Road 6 but since the Road 6 were the only ones available was an easy choice, even if more expensive.

Now, I just hope not get another screw on those big holes the Road 6 has 😅
 

MacRoadster

CB650R ABS
Sep 5, 2024
Riding Since
1993
My first impressions, comparing the Road 6 to the Dunlop Roadsport 2 (yes, I'm comparing touring and sport tyres 😅).

I find the Road 6 with a quicker initial turn in, but then don't "dive" into corners like the Roadsport 2. The Road 6 have a more linear and neutral handling.
With the Dunlops the bike felt heavier and harder to lean, but once you pass a few degrees of inclination, it feels like they just want to go into full lean. Can be a bit scary on wet, or for someone with few experience.

Another difference is the feeling you get from the road. With the Dunlops I could feel every little imperfection on the road. Again, can be a bit scary on wet, bad roads, or for someone with few experience.
With the Road 6 you still get enough feeling, but not with as much detail.

I didn't had the chance to use the Road 6 on wet, yet. But since I've found the Roadsport 2 with less grip under acceleration than the Road 4, I'm sure the Road 6 will be much better than the Dunlops.

So, I think the Roadsport 2 are ok for someone doing sporty ride on dry and good tarmac. But for that... there's better tyres on the market.
In all other situations (touring, commuting, riding on wet, bad tarmac, etc...) the Road 6 are so much better!

I'm not saying the Road 6 aren't good or capable of sporty ride, but you don't get the same feeling and willingness to go into full lean as the Dunlops.
Also, I still have few Kms with the Road 6, so can't compare braking and grip levels. Which can make a big difference on sporty ride.
 
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