Dunlop has announced the launch of their latest tyre for the hypersport sector. Designed for ultimate street performance but with track capability, the latest
combines learnings taken from Dunlop’s World championship winning endurance racing programme with the experience gained in developing the revolutionary RoadSmart III Sport Touring tyre.
Dunlop Europe’s development team aimed for high objectives in the development of the latest tyre. The previous SportSmart2 had built a strong reputation for ultimate grip, and the replacement had to maintain this advantage but set a new testing benchmark for handling, feedback and low wear.
To achieve this, Dunlop focused on four development areas:
Rayon Ply and Front Aramid JLB Construction
Using learnings from the recent test-winning RoadSmart III Sport Touring tyre, Dunlop developed a radical front construction aimed at achieving sustained performance with a reduced warm up time.
This construction reduces tyre deformation caused by centrifugal forces at high speed, especially at lean angles, and has been proven to improve front tyre durability by a staggering 25%.*
Another important consideration for the Dunlop engineers was to design a tyre that offered optimum handling from lower temperatures. This new construction gives riders confidence whether on a road trip or a trackday.
Optimised Front Profile and Revised Sidewall Transition
The previous SportSmart2 was well regarded for its grip, but Dunlop wanted to go a step further in enhancing the handling for the ‘Max’.
The new profile offers lighter handling and more involved feedback during corner entry and a reduced stand-up tendency when braking in curve.
Continuing the Max theme, at very high cornering speeds the new stepped edge sidewall design gives improved confidence at extreme lean angles.
Tri-polymer Blend and High Dispersion Silica Compound
To improve wet performance with no detriment to dry grip, Dunlop has developed a radical compound which is able to expand the contact patch to provide maximum grip in wet and cold conditions. Compared to its predecessor there’s a 4% wet grip improvement*
Rear Multi-Tread
Dunlop’s ‘Stronger for Longer’ philosophy has brought unrivalled success in the FIM Endurance World Championship. Dunlop equipped bikes have won 16 World Championships since 1994 and the trademark Multi-Tread rear tyre has been a key element in these wins. The SportSmart2 Max incorporates an endurance centre compound and a high grip shoulder compound to ensure even wear and consistent road performance.
Motorcycle EMEA Marketing Manager, Andy Marfleet, praised the work of the Dunlop Technology Team: “By taking the learnings from a diverse range of successful road and track products, including RoadSmart III, FIM Endurance World Championship Race tyres and the existing strengths of the SportSmart2 , we have been able to create a hypersport tyre which brings considerable improvements in mileage, wet performance and offers exhilarating handling with precise steering feedback”
The SportSmart II Max is now the cornerstone of a very wide portfolio of Dunlop hypersport tyres. “Our latest GP Racer D212 track tyre will go on sale in January, and the SportSmart2 Max in February , meaning Dunlop will have the freshest and most innovative product line up in the hypersport segment” added Andy.
*Dunlop Europe Internal testing comparing SportSmart 2 Max with the original Dunlop SportSmart II
new 2019 Dunlop Sportsmart III MK3
