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Dunlop RoadSmart II vs Michelin Pilot Road 4 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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6 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | RoadSmart II | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 85 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | RoadSmart II | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 53 | 84 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | RoadSmart II | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 84 |
Noise
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | RoadSmart II | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 79 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | RoadSmart II | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop RoadSmart II | Michelin Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 94 |
| Dry | 68 | 96 |
| Wet | 53 | 94 |
| Comfort | 68 | 94 |
| Noise | – | 92 |
| Treadwear | 78 | 91 |
| Handling | 75 | 96 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop RoadSmart II receives highly polarized feedback from riders, with experiences ranging from exceptional confidence to significant safety concerns. While some users praise its precision and grip in both dry and wet conditions, others report severe traction issues, particularly with the rear tire during spirited riding.
Pros
- High levels of dry and wet grip for sport-touring applications
- Excellent steering precision and rider feedback
- Inspires confidence in varied riding conditions for satisfied users
Cons
- Reported lack of rear tire traction during aggressive cornering
- Inconsistent performance leading to safety concerns in wet weather
- Perceived inferiority compared to competing sport-touring brands
Observations
- Positive performance noted on the Yamaha FZ1-S, suggesting suitability for certain naked sport-touring setups.
- Riders of heavier sport-touring motorcycles, such as the BMW R1100RT, reported significant instability and rear-end slippage.
The Michelin Pilot Road 4 is widely regarded as a premier all-season tire, particularly praised for its exceptional wet-weather performance and confidence-inspiring handling. While most users appreciate the balance of comfort, longevity, and safety, some high-performance drivers note a lack of sharpness compared to dedicated summer tires, and a subset of users report concerns regarding tread life and road noise.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
- High level of comfort and reduced road noise compared to OEM run-flats
- Predictable and stable handling in varied road conditions
- Strong longevity for a performance-oriented tire
Cons
- Increased rolling resistance leading to reduced fuel/battery range in EVs
- Reported inconsistency in tread life across different vehicle types
- Less sharp steering response compared to dedicated summer performance tires
- Occasional reports of higher-than-expected road noise on certain pavement types
Observations
- EV owners, particularly Tesla users, frequently report a noticeable decrease in range (approx. 10-20%) due to higher rolling resistance.
- Motorcycle riders note that the tire requires a significant 'bedding-in' period before reaching optimal grip levels.
- Users replacing factory run-flat tires consistently report a drastic improvement in ride quality and cabin comfort.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop RoadSmart II | B · Michelin Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Road 4 — better wet, dry and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 94 vs 53 on wet.
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 96 vs 68 on dry.
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 94 vs 68 on comfort.
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 96 vs 75 on handling.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.