Dunlop launches ‘Max’ successor to TrailSmart

The Dunlop TrailSmart has been replaced in key sizes by a successor tyre, the TrailSmart Max. In addition to building upon the previous-generation tyre’s wet and dry grip characteristics, Dunlop Europe says new technologies have been used to improve the TrailSmart Max’s handling and durability.

Dunlop Europe launched the original TrailSmart in 2015, and the tyre gained praise from French motorcycling publication MotoMag for its wet and dry handling performance. When testing the TrailSmart, MotoMag awarded the Dunlop tyre the maximum five stars in both these categories. Dunlop Europe comments that the TrailSmart was the only trail tyre to gain full marks from MotoMag for these disciplines, but is quick to point out that it has “not rested on its laurels” since then. The need to design tyres to suit the new, higher-powered motorcycles being launched within the sector coupled with Dunlop’s focus on developing new technologies to set class leading handling and mileage performance has resulted in the TrailSmart Max.

The TrailSmart Max features rayon material in the ply construction. This, says Dunlop Europe, gives more precise steering, and when combined with Dunlop’s JLB (Jointless Band) construction gives a quicker warm-up, and much more progressive behaviour in a variety of temperatures and conditions.

But that’s not all: Dunlop Europe says this enhanced construction, combined with a new front profile, adds the benefit of hugely improved durability. In internal testing against the TrailSmart, the new front tyre (size 120/70R19) was shown to perform for 64 per cent longer than its predecessor. Dunlop Europe comments that this result confirms its “strong reputation for durability and endurance seen in other sectors with RoadSmart III and SportSmart2 Max.”

The rear tyre now also benefits from Dunlop’s MT or Multitread compound technology. The mix of compounds has been optimised to give strong mileage performance (internal tests against the TrailSmart using a size 170/60R17 tyre indicated 15 per cent better performance) whilst offering enhanced cornering performance, particularly on the new generation of higher powered adventure bikes. The TrailSmart Max also features a tread design called xGT, or Cross Groove Tread. This distinctive design features a new silica-rich compound. “This retains the TrailSmart’s five-star test winning wet performance,” opines Dunlope Europe.

Andy Marfleet, motorcycle marketing manager EMEA, believes the TrailSmart Max represents a significant leap forward in the sector: “The TrailSmart is a five-star tyre, but we felt that we could also apply new technologies that had been proven in other sectors. We have managed to retain the segment-leading wet and dry handling performance, but also achieve a significant improvement in mileage. Our ‘stronger for longer’ philosophy, proven in the RoadSmart III, focuses on enduring performance, ensuring that the tyre performs throughout its life. The combination of new construction with rayon plies, a new MultiTread rear compound and the distinctive xGT tread pattern means that TrailSmart Max provides strong no-compromise performance for the most demanding adventure bike riders.”

Significantly, the TrailSmart Max is available in sizes that are designed for the latest models in the sector. For example, the BMW R 1200 GS liquid cooled version (120/70 R19 and 170/60 R17) is now available, and for the water cooled version, Dunlop has introduced the (110/80 R19 and 150/70 R17) The Honda Africa Twin is also a popular choice in the adventure segment. Dunlop has optimised the 90/90-21 and 150/70 R18 combination to perfectly match this model. “The emergence of exciting new models in the adventure sector gave us the opportunity to tune our latest TrailSmart Max to the specific demands of these bikes” adds Marfleet.