Dunlop ScootSmart Tires

[kreiman]

I recently mounted a set of Dunlop ScootSmart tires on my C600 Sport and I've really been impressed with them so far. The handling and grip is fantastic. The front has a very neutral turn in feel that makes it handle like a true sport bike. I like them much better than the Pirelli Diablo tires that were on the scoot when I bought it. I'll be very interested to see how they handle in the rain and what kind of mileage I get out of them. So far so good though as they made my Sport handle like the name Sport implies it should.

They aren't imported into the US yet, so the only place I was able to find them is scooterpartsco.com/. They order them from a Dunlop distributor in Europe. Told me they were going to start carrying a set or 2 in stock from now on.

 

[grey.hound]

Thank you Sir!. Keep us updated.

 

[alice761]

I was going to buy them but the BMW dealer talked me out of it sticking with OEM Meltzer

 

[exavid]

I had Bridgestone Hoops on two SWs but didn't like their wet road performance. I've had both the OEM Metzlers and now the Michelin Power Pures on my GT. Both performed well but the Michelens seem to be wearing better.

 

[Skutorr]

Both performed well but the Michelens seem to be wearing better.

...because they are dual-compound; harder in the middle and sticky on the sides.

 

[Snowdog]

I replaced a rear tire on the Silverwing I had before the Sport with a Dunlop. It seemed good, so I bought a front as I would soon need to replace that tire also.
One afternoon on my commute home from work, I noticed a thumping in the rear. I was getting off the next exit for a back roads leg of my commute, and stopped at the bottom of the ramp to see what the problem was. The tire had about two thousand miles on it, and I was surprised to find it delaminating, although holding air. Since I only had a few low speed miles to get home, I rode it slowly there.
Interestingly, when I tried to get the tire off the rim, I was having great difficulty and finally cut the tire off. I found the inside of the tire delaminated also and the large bubble formed actually held air , which made it impossible to get off the rim. In the years I was an auto mechanic, I never saw a problem like that.
I think I replaced that Dunlop with an IRC, but, when I replaced the front tire I used that Dunlop as I all ready had it. Guess what, the front delaminated too!!! after 500 miles!! Same problem. I won't be buying Dunlops anytime soon.

 

[justscootin]

That is why they have the nickname Dunslops

 

[kreiman]

I replaced a rear tire on the Silverwing I had before the Sport with a Dunlop. It seemed good, so I bought a front as I would soon need to replace that tire also.
One afternoon on my commute home from work, I noticed a thumping in the rear. I was getting off the next exit for a back roads leg of my commute, and stopped at the bottom of the ramp to see what the problem was. The tire had about two thousand miles on it, and I was surprised to find it delaminating, although holding air. Since I only had a few low speed miles to get home, I rode it slowly there.
Interestingly, when I tried to get the tire off the rim, I was having great difficulty and finally cut the tire off. I found the inside of the tire delaminated also and the large bubble formed actually held air , which made it impossible to get off the rim. In the years I was an auto mechanic, I never saw a problem like that.
I think I replaced that Dunlop with an IRC, but, when I replaced the front tire I used that Dunlop as I all ready had it. Guess what, the front delaminated too!!! after 500 miles!! Same problem. I won't be buying Dunlops anytime soon.

I've never been a big fan of Dunlops myself. The last Dunlops I had came oem on my 05 GS. I didn't like them and replaced them well before they were worn out. I've run Continental tires (Road Attack, Sport Attack, Trail Attack & TKC-80) on all of my bikes for years now, but sadly they don't make tires that will fit my scooter. I decided to give the Dunlops a try on my C600 Sport because the choice for scooters is so limited. I've read some good reviews on the Dunlop RoadSmart tires and the ScootSmart tires seem to be popular and well liked in Europe so we'll see how it goes. I also wanted something more sport oriented and the Pirelli Diablo and the ScootSmarts seem to be the only tires available that look like they have a more sport oriented tread profile. If the Dunlops don't work out I'll probably try Metzelers next.

I usually try not to stereotype tires by brand as I've found different brands work better on different vehicles. I've used Michelin tires on my 4 wheel vehicles for a long time now and I love them, but I never have liked them on my bikes. If I owned a Harley, Metzeler ME880 or ME888 Marathons would be the only tire I would use, but again, I never have liked Metzelers very much on any of my BMWs that I've tried them on except for my airhead which uses bias ply tires. Never have liked Bridgestone motorcycle tires very much either and if Shinkos were the only tires I could afford I'd rather sell the bike.

 

[exavid]

I rode a lot of miles on Dunlops the E2 and E3 bias ply and the E3 radials on my GL1500 and Gl1800 Goldwings. I liked them they were very good in the wet and gave good service life.

 

[Snowdog]

I've never been a big fan of Dunlops myself. The last Dunlops I had came oem on my 05 GS. I didn't like them and replaced them well before they were worn out. I've run Continental tires (Road Attack, Sport Attack, Trail Attack & TKC-80) on all of my bikes for years now, but sadly they don't make tires that will fit my scooter. I decided to give the Dunlops a try on my C600 Sport because the choice for scooters is so limited. I've read some good reviews on the Dunlop RoadSmart tires and the ScootSmart tires seem to be popular and well liked in Europe so we'll see how it goes. I also wanted something more sport oriented and the Pirelli Diablo and the ScootSmarts seem to be the only tires available that look like they have a more sport oriented tread profile. If the Dunlops don't work out I'll probably try Metzelers next.

I usually try not to stereotype tires by brand as I've found different brands work better on different vehicles. I've used Michelin tires on my 4 wheel vehicles for a long time now and I love them, but I never have liked them on my bikes. If I owned a Harley, Metzeler ME880 or ME888 Marathons would be the only tire I would use, but again, I never have liked Metzelers very much on any of my BMWs that I've tried them on except for my airhead which uses bias ply tires. Never have liked Bridgestone motorcycle tires very much either and if Shinkos were the only tires I could afford I'd rather sell the bike.

Those tires worked fine on the Silverwing, they failed. It was a quality problem.

 

[kreiman]

Those tires worked fine on the Silverwing, they failed. It was a quality problem.

No doubt it was a quality problem, but I have to believe it was an isolated issue. Maybe a bad batch or some bad raw materials from a supplier. Could also be problems with the particular plant they were manufactured at. I've run across some Dunlops in the past that were made in Japan that had problems. I can't imagine that ALL Dunlop tires have a quality problem or nobody would be using them. I've never seen or heard of anyone experiencing the problem you had. I've de-mounted many Dunlop tires that were well worn out and have never seen any de-laminated as you described. If it was a widespread issue people would be posting about it all over the internet. The ScootSmart is a fairly new model from Dunlop. Do you happen to remember what model the Dunlops that de-laminated on you were?

 

[SteveADV]

Since we're kinda here....Does everyone check how old the "new" tire is, or am I in the minority?

http://www.continental-tires.com/car/technology/tire-knowledge/lex-1-2

 

[kreiman]

Since we're kinda here....Does everyone check how old the "new" tire is, or am I in the minority?

http://www.continental-tires.com/car/technology/tire-knowledge/lex-1-2

Seems like I'm always buying the latest greatest new model tires so I never bother to check the dates. I might start now that you brought it to my attention though. Thanks Steve !!

 

[Snowdog]

No doubt it was a quality problem, but I have to believe it was an isolated issue. Maybe a bad batch or some bad raw materials from a supplier. Could also be problems with the particular plant they were manufactured at. I've run across some Dunlops in the past that were made in Japan that had problems. I can't imagine that ALL Dunlop tires have a quality problem or nobody would be using them. I've never seen or heard of anyone experiencing the problem you had. I've de-mounted many Dunlop tires that were well worn out and have never seen any de-laminated as you described. If it was a widespread issue people would be posting about it all over the internet. The ScootSmart is a fairly new model from Dunlop. Do you happen to remember what model the Dunlops that de-laminated on you were?

In quality control if the first pieces out of a box are bad, you flunk the whole box. A front and rear tire bought at different times, both failed with the same problem, that is a bad sign.I don't know how they could win me back.

 

[Sparkrn]

Why anyone would not use the OEM of Metzler. They are wonderful tires. Has anyone had a problem with them?

 

[kreiman]

My 2013 C600 Sport came oem with Pirellis. I've found that tires are a very subjective thing to most folks. To each their own.. Whatever trips your trigger... Whatever floats your boat... etc., etc..... or just insert your own idiom here.

So far, I'm really liking my Dunlops. I'm just sayin...

 

[kreiman]

In quality control if the first pieces out of a box are bad, you flunk the whole box. A front and rear tire bought at different times, both failed with the same problem, that is a bad sign.I don't know how they could win me back.

Can't say as I blame you. I think I mentioned that I've never been a big fan of Dunlops either. I just thought I'd give them a try based on all the good reviews the ScootSmart tires have gotten in Europe and the limited choices available in the 160/60-15 size. I'll probably try Metzelers next.

 

[Snowdog]

Of course, the Pirelli's my Sport came with were the worst holding motorcycle tires I ever owned. The Dunlops held the road better, they just self destructed.

 

[SteveADV]

...I've found that tires are a very subjective thing to most folks...

Yah know, I've never thought of it like that, but I think that makes sense. I have decided in advance what I would like or dislike about a tire and, sure enough, what I thought I would dislike became "my reality". Admittedly, for me, this pertains more so to dual sport or off-road tires. Like Sparkrn suggested, I was very happy with the OEM Metzlers that came with my CGT.