A sudden and unexpected end
We test tires because you just never know. Bikes are different, riders are different, seasons are different and as we are finding out, tires are different. Much, much different. We test tires by attempting to control for everything- riding the same bikes, at the same time, with the same riders and same fuel loads following each other all season. We even order the same coffee, all in the name of accuracy. Sometimes the results are predictable and other times, as in this test, the results are shocking.
It all started years ago as a tire argument between my riding partner, cousin and close friend Dave “White Girl” Wensveen that has resulted in a years long quest to find the best sport touring tire out there, using our 5th generation VFR800s as instruments of punishment. Riding thousands of miles every year far from home means we need reliable, sticky, high mileage rubber, seemingly contradictory design goals that manufacturers somehow accomplish.
We use 5th generation VFRs for their sportiness, comfort and durability. Dave’s bike has 88,000 miles on the odometer. Mine has over 129,000 miles. We ride a lot.
Dunlop’s Roadsmart IV has met all of those goals and more with Michelin’s Road 6 coming within a whisker last year and Pirelli’s Angel GT a distant third in year one. This year, Shinko submitted their sport touring offering, the Verge 2X, to go up against the Roadsmart IV. Initial handling of the Shinko was great, not quite as superb as the Dunlop, but close, and on par with the Michelin. Shinko’s Verge 2X is roughly half the price of the Dunlops which initially made it seem like a tire bargain. However, mileage was the big unknown. We found out that answer the hard way.
For comparison, photos of both tires when new (Dunlop left, Shinko right), and 2,000 miles in at the top of Hurricane Ridge. Notice the center siping of the Shinko Verge had already disappeared and the slight discoloration in the center, warning signs of its early demise.
After roughly 2,000 miles on both sets of tires, as we were at the top of Hurricane Ridge in Washington State’s Olympic National Forest, White Girl and I noticed that the siping on the center of the Shinko rear tire was gone. We both spotted it, thinking it was odd, and rode on. Neither of us in our testing had seen center tread siping disappear after so little mileage. The center of the tire was ever-so-slightly discolored as well. Meanwhile the Dunlop looked barely broken in which, given previous test results, was in line with what we experienced in previous years.
A sunny day on the Rowena Curves is a good day. This road is our annual test bed for tire handling for a reason.
Our second test tour, late last month, took us back to the Rowena Curves in Oregon, which we ride every year for tire testing consistency. Again, the Roadsmart IV out handled the Verge 2X, but at the top we again noticed the increased wear on the Shinko. We compared the current state of the tire with photos of the tire when new and were shocked to see how much of the tread was gone.
At the top of the Rowena Curves, we note the center tread depth of the Verge 2X (at left) was gone. Compare it to the Roadsmart IV (right) which looks just broken in.
We made camp for a few nights at the sleepy beach town of Oceanside, Oregon. A place time had left behind, it takes one back to a period when oceans were pure, tourist shops were non-existent and the only coffee shop here closes whenever the owner decides to go crabbing. Fiery purple sunsets burn over the Pacific Ocean, searing themselves in your dreams while golden Oregon sand tickles your toes, wind lashes your face and the waves lap you to sleep. All the roads in and out of Oceanside meander and twist through towering, skyscraper coastal pines, changing elevation, radius and pavement quality with rampant schizophrenia. Roads here are technical, physical, exhausting, and expose every weakness in your skills, your bike and your tires.
We love it here.
A typically spectacular Oceanside sunset. And in case you are wondering…yes, we are discussing tires.
Highway 47 was our pain of choice. Brutally banked with snappy tight corners, mid-curve elevation changes and pines lining both sides it is ready to gather you and comes polluted with log truck drivers holding NASCAR aspirations, checking their Instagram feed while they drive. If you grab fourth gear here you are either brave, skilled or have some kind of sick death wish. Getting it wrong is easy.
But get it right, get it just ever so beautifully right, and you are a moto-god, laughing out loud as you press rubber hard against the banking on exit like a stock car at Daytona with throttle and gravity launching you out like a projectile over the rise ahead and plunging downhill into the next corner. All three of us (me, White Girl and VFR owner and tagalong Chris Shriner) have ridden Tail Of The Dragon and agree that Hwy. 47 is better. Much better.
I laugh out loud every time I ride it, when I remember to breathe.
Swapping bikes on Hwy. 47 gave us critical looks into tire personality, and this time I noticed something odd. Shinko’s Verge 2X now needed more effort to initiate a turn followed by constant bar pressure to maintain its cornering line. Not a lot was needed mid-corner, but without hand presence on the inside bar, Dave’s VFR with the Verge 2X would stand up and run wide, which on Hwy. 47 means you could quickly find a Peterbilt parked on your face. I made note of it, then swapped back to my Dunlop-wearing VFR. As we pulled in for gas, I saw it.
Both tires at about 3,200 miles. Shinko’s Verge 2X (first) is finished while Dunlop’s Roadsmart IV (second) is in its prime.
Shinko’s Verge 2X had lost its tread. Cord was not showing yet, but the hard center strip meant metal coming soon. My mouth dropped. I was shocked. After only 3,262 miles, the Shinkos were finished. I showed Dave who spun away in disgust. He could not believe it. This was a result neither of us saw coming, and is why we test tires. You just never know.
Every rider should change out a tire in this state. Riding a motorcycle on degraded rubber can end badly (ask me how I know). However, we decided to not change the tire, just to see what would happen. We rode back to camp at Oceanside to discuss our findings and combine sunset and cigar. Oceanside sunsets make for good tonic. The next day as Dave limped the bike back to his home, metal appeared. Eventually he nursed his VFR another 300 miles past when the tire was safe to ride, all in the name of testing.
Same bikes, same mileage, same riders, much different results. Shinko’s Verge 2X (left) starting to show cord. Dunlop’s Roadsmart IV (right) is hitting its stride.
In all of our testing, neither of us have seen a tire expire so early. For reference, Dunlop’s Roadsmart IV has lasted 9,434 and 7,195 miles respectively in year one and two, Michelin’s Road 6 lasted 7,595 miles and Pirelli’s Angel GT lasted 5,327 miles. In all of these years of testing we rode the same roads at the same time at the same pace, year after year, and explains why we have coffee punch cards in multiple states.
Not only did the Shinko Verge 2X expire after 3262 miles but before that, after roughly 2,000 miles, the center siping for water displacement was gone. We did have a wet weather testing opportunity in Oregon before getting to Hurricane Ridge, but road conditions were too deplorable to allow sufficient testing. However, based on our experience, a tire without siping or water channels in the center of the tread is more likely to have difficulty displacing water than a tire with tread depth that retains those capabilities.
The Shinko Verge 2X front tire is shown here after we pulled off the rear at 3,500 miles. Sharp eyes will see the bars showing on the viewer’s right edge of the tire.
“I felt like I could still ride the Verge 2X,” Dave observed. “A few times I felt like I had to pressure it past the flat spot. Even at the end of their life, the Dunlops, Michelins and even the Pirellis still were ridable, but the Shinkos had this weird, funny feeling where I had to get past the flat spot. After riding both back to back, I would want the Dunlops on my bike. Last year, when I had the Roadsmart IVs on my VFR, they transformed my bike.”
To get a neutral, 3rd opinion from an outsider, and someone not related to Road Dirt or this test, we let a friend and fellow VFR800 rider Chris Shriner ride both bikes back-to-back on Hwy. 47. His thoughts were enlightening.
“The Dunlop bike handled like an Acura,” Chris quipped. “The Shinko bike handled like a Subaru Justy. When you tipped in on the Dunlop bike, it felt like you weren’t really doing anything, it just dove in. It was light. I would not put a Shinko on my bike. The Dunlop might be my next tire.”
Unpredictable wear can cause problems far from home. Here, we should have changed out the Verge 2X. Instead, Dave nursed the bike the extra 200 miles home until cord showed through.
After three years, six sets of tires from four different manufacturers and over 36,000 miles of aggressive testing through most states in the west, we both agree that the Dunlop is still the best sport touring tire we have ever ridden. As we discussed results further, I suggested that maybe the high speeds, high heat and 80 grit road surface of Eastern Oregon testing may have caused the early demise of the Verge 2X.
“The Dunlop went through the same thing,” Dave replied. “It just handled it better.” Good point.
White Girl, ever the baseball coach, put it this way:
“Dunlop is the New York Yankees of the sport touring tire world. The king, the perennial champion, the tire everyone is trying to beat. Michelin is the Los Angeles Dodgers, amazing in every way and just one stroke of luck from knocking off the champion. Pirelli is the Toronto Blue Jays, loaded with talent but for some reason just can’t quite seem to put it together. Shinko is the Chicago White Sox, making us question whether they should even be in the same league.”
This brought up the question of who is the Shinko really for? What demographic buys this tire?
“The Shinko is for someone who just wants to put a tire on their bike, any tire,” Dave suggested. “They want cheap, decent performance and may only ride a thousand miles a year. However, Shinko labels their Verge 2X as a sport-‘touring’ tire, and when I hear the word ‘tour’, my mind thinks at least 5,000 miles.”
With testing over I will continue to tour on the Dunlops until they run to cord in order to compare this year’s mileage to previous year’s.
Because you just never know.
Ted
*What are your thoughts and/or questions regarding this year’s tire comparo? Let us know in the comment section below.
Everyone reading this owes a debt of gratitude to Dave Wensveen for dedicating the past three years of his life riding hard and long to bring these results to you. While not a moto-journalist himself, his dedication to these tests and reviews allow Road Dirt to do something no other motorcycle publication (that I am aware of) is willing or capable of doing. And if you are asking, coffee gift cards are the perfect way to say thank you.
What an excellent article!
I had 62,000 miles on my 2004 VFR, and I’ve got 25,000 on my 2012 Ninja 1000.
(I miss the riding position of the VFR, but besides that the Ninja is everything the VFR ever wanted to be, but more.)
Anyway, I love the long trips and big mile days all over CA, NV, and OR, and I’ve been caught out twice with the steel bands showing up unexpectedly.
The Michelin Road 5’s were the best tires I have ever ridden, and I’m so excited to try the Dunlop’s. I sure hope to run into you both out on the road. This is my first time stumbling onto your website.
Thanks again!
Kindly, Bob Sage
Welcome to Road Dirt, Bob! Happy you found us.
Rob
Look elsewhere on this site for a full year long test of the Dunlop Roadsmart IV against the Michelin Road 6. On VFRs. Filled with huge mileage days along the California coast, Oregon, and Colorado. Seems like the test was custom made for you. You’re welcome.
Ted, I am looking at your silencers and I wonder what brands you are using and how much they weigh? My Trumpet OEM is 13.5 lbs. and I’d like to find something lighter. Any suggestions? I am in Arizona.
Bob
Give Delkevic exhausts a look. I use them on both of my VFRs and weight comes to 3 to 4 lbs depending on model. Many choices of silencer length and construction allow you to tune to taste.
I run a 4-into-1 Delkevic on my old Kawasaki KZ650, and it’s a growler. Love it!
This is a pretty disappointing result for a tire that is supposed to be a dual compound model. What would the result have been if you were running the standard 011 version of the Verge? I’ll bet you have no desire to find out.
I used a Shinko Raven on my Suzuki SV650 many years ago. I had no complaints with the tire but it did have a shorter life than other tires. Considering the cost of paying someone to mount the tire I decided it was no particular bargain.
During testing, we had a long discussion about what rider would buy the Shinko. A rider who puts minimal mileage on their bike might appreciate a budget tire, especially given the high prices of other options. But in my opinion, the other options from Dunlop and Michelin are worth the price increase.
My 2022 1250 RT came with Road 5 GT’s. All I can say it that if the RoadSmart 4 is even better, I’ll have to try a set. 4000 miles today on the Road 5GT’s and still 6/32″ + of tread left in the middle of the tire. I’ve done 600 miles to get the bike home from PHX to L.A., then 5 weeks later (and a nail puncture I plugged, 1st time ever for that, getting a flat on a motorcycle) 1100 miles doing 7 passes from Lake Tahoe to Tioga Pass and Yosemite NP on a group ride. Going to use up the R5 Gt’S first before I try the Dunlops. Both, are really good tires.
We took the Michelins and Dunlops across those very passes. Both are great choices. Slight edge to the Dunlops.
I am currently doing a complete service to my 1999 Triumph Sprint ST. I need new tires for it and want tires that grip well, turn in well, give plenty of road and ride feed back and don’t wear out prematurely. So, I am not interested in budget tires. Just really good ones. I’ve got 120/70 ZR17 in the front and a 180/55 ZR17 at the back. I’ve been looking at Avon Spirit ST’s, but my sizes are sold out in many shops. Which tire store do you recommend and what brand of tire? My ST is 456 lbs. dry.
We highly recommend the Dunlop Roadsmart IV, as well as the tire we tested last year, the Michelin Road 6. If they carry your size, which I think they both do, I think you’ll be quite pleased with either.
Interestingly, I owned that exact same bike for about 10 years, a red 1999 Sprint ST as well. Absolutely loved that bike. Only sold it to get on a 2017 Bonneville 900 Street Cup, which is still my nearly daily rider.
Best to ya, Bob!
On my Versys 1000 I disliked the Michelins. Initial turn in was poor. Mileage around 8k. Original Bridgestone T31 were my favorites and the T32’s were better yet. Mileage around 8k. Just trying Pirelli Angels this year and so far have been superb. Best part on the Pirelli’s? I found a pair on eBay for $225 delivered. Front tire date code was 13 months old, rear was 2 months
I ran over 12,000 miles on my Pirelli Angel GT2 OEM Moto Guzzi V100S rubber. The wear bars were JUST there on the front, and a little more on the rear. I did mount the Dunlop Road Smart III as replacements, not the IV’s as they were $150 less, still a really good tire, and both are well above my skill grade. When the III’s are all gone next time around I’ll get the RS IV’s. Michelin was just way, way too expensive.
I hope the Dunlop RS III’s keeps that neutral feeling longer than the Pirelli Angel GT2’s did. They required some extra bar pressure to hold a turn EOL. Dunlop makes this a “feature” of their tires. I will say that the comment on turn-in I feel on the III’s, too. Really neutral feeling all the way into and out of a turn. These aren’t triangle shaped, but neither were the Pirelli GT2’s when new. They just got a flatter profile that spoiled the party earlier than I hoped for.
I run the Roadsmart IIIs on my other VFR and they share the same handling characteristics of their big brother. Based on our testing and experience, either one will keep their handling throughout the life of the tire better then the Pirelli Angel GT versions.
Have been very happy with Continental Road Attack’s on my 19 KTM SDGT.
We hope to do a review of the Contis in the coming year or two.
A fantastic article to read, thanks!
One of those VFRs has a Givi Wingrack (which I have) and a high mount exhaust. I’m surprised anything fits up there. What exhaust is it? I can’t tell from the pictures.
My VFR has the Givi Wingrack II and a Delkevic 14″ high mount exhaust. And if it looks like it is a tight fit, that’s because it barely fits. Barely. There is some tweaking required to prevent rubbing. But the sound of the V-four bellowing through the pipe at over 8k is my addiction.
Nice review.
Hope to see the Kenda Km1 next year…
As tire prices are constantly increasing, finding a comparable budget friendly option would be nice.
I agree that motorcycle tire prices are not nice on the wallet. However, the budget friendly tire did not fare well in this year’s test. We have no experience with Kenda but would welcome their participation.
I wish to thank you guys for doing such an in-depth review of touring tires. I have always ridden so-called “pure street sport” tires but I am tired of having to replace them at 30-3500 miles. I realized I could never run out of grip anyhow.
Had a rear flat tire yesterday and was quite at lost about choosing a good sport-touring tire (even though there is some thread left in y tire, there is no way I am going to ride a patched tire at the speeds I like).
This was a first visit for me on your site and I can definitely tell you it won’t be the last one! Keep the rubber side down!
Thanks for your comments, Rob, and welcome to Road Dirt! Glad you looked us up.
Glad you find the information useful, Rob. Each tire test is a full year’s worth of dedication and occasionally, I will look out over my morning coffee to White Girl and ask “Does anybody out there actually read this s*%t?” We hope to continue this series in the future for both of the people who actually read this. Well, plus you now makes three.
Judging from the comments and site traffic on these reviews, I’m thinking a few more than 2-3 are actually reading these!
Very interesting article. I admit, I have not been a Dunlop fan for many years. Instead, I have been using the Conti Motions for my “sport touring” needs. The Motions, now no longer in production, are being replaced with the Conti Road. Any plan on evaluating this new player? I would be very interested in your opinion of these as I have recently acquired a 5th gen VFR, to use for my long distance rides.
Congratulations on the 5th gen VFR purchase. I approve. Our tire testing assignment for next year is not nailed down yet, but we are always looking for reader ideas. Metzeler, Bridgestone, and Continental have all been suggested, and there are test results on our site of Pirelli and Michelin.. Winter is just getting underway here in the Upper Left, so we have many dark months to consider options.
Once I read you only tested 2 of the 5 premium tires, I realized this wasn’t a real test.
Lewis, we have two riders, two bikes, so can only long-term test two at a time. Last year we ran the Dunlops against the Michelins, the year before against the Pirellis. This year we are working on testing the sport touring offerings by Bridgestone or Continental.
I think these definitely qualify as “real tests.”
I ride a First Gen FZ1 . I used to always run Bridgestone Battlax, but the newest version got only 3600 miles. I was not impressed. I started running Dunlops after that. I liked the Roadstar 3, but the Roadstar 4’s are better. Grippier and just as must mileage. I agree with your assessment of the tire. They are great in all aspects. The Road 3’s lost grip in colder weather, but 4’s don’t.
What a great comparison! I have run Michelin Pilot’s & the last 2 sets of tires were Dunlop Roadsmarts 3 then the Roadsmarts 4’s. The Roadsmarts 4 are better handling than the 3’s. My riding buddy, who runs exclusively Michelin Pilots, he gets better mileage than the Dunlops, by 10% or so. The real issues is that here in Canada, the Michelin Pilots are 25% – 30% MORE expensive than Dunlops and they do not last 25% – 30% longer. I hope you get to do the comparison to Metzeler Roadtec’s. You guys are doing great work and real life comparisons. Keep it up! Excited to see your next real life tire test.