90
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
88/100
13 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Avon Spirit ST vs Dunlop RoadSmart III — Compared (September 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.
VS
90
/ 100
Objective (60%)
74/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
89/100
16 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Avon Spirit ST and Dunlop RoadSmart III are within 2 points overall. Avon Spirit ST is stronger on wet. Dunlop RoadSmart III is stronger on treadwear and comfort.
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Category breakdown
5 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
Score (0–100)
RoadSmart III leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Spirit ST | RoadSmart III |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 97 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 94 | 91 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Spirit ST leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Spirit ST | RoadSmart III |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 98 | 89 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
RoadSmart III leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Spirit ST | RoadSmart III |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 88 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
RoadSmart III leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Spirit ST | RoadSmart III |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 89 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
RoadSmart III leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Spirit ST | RoadSmart III |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 89 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon Spirit ST | Dunlop RoadSmart III |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 90 | 90 |
| Dry | 94 | 95 |
| Wet | 98 | 89 |
| Comfort | 85 | 88 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 89 |
| Handling | 87 | 89 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
90
/ 100
Tire A
90
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon Spirit ST is widely regarded as a high-performance sport-touring tire that offers exceptional grip and stability across diverse weather conditions. While most users praise its longevity and value, experiences are polarized, with some riders reporting significant issues regarding handling feedback and high-speed vibrations on specific heavy motorcycles.
Pros
- Excellent wet and dry weather grip
- High durability and resistance to squaring off
- Strong value proposition compared to premium competitors
- High stability under heavy loads and two-up riding
Cons
- Reports of vague steering feedback and reluctance to turn on certain bikes
- Inconsistent quality control leading to high-speed vibrations for some users
- Poor customer support resolution for warranty claims
- Extremely short tread life reported by a minority of users
Observations
- Users on heavy touring bikes like the BMW K1600GT reported significant high-speed vibration issues.
- Riders of mid-sized motorcycles like the Yamaha 700 noted improved stability and predictability compared to previous tires.
- Heavy-duty touring and two-up riding configurations consistently reported positive results regarding tire longevity and load stability.
The Dunlop RoadSmart III is highly regarded as a durable, high-performance sport-touring tire that excels in longevity without sacrificing significant grip. Users consistently praise its stability and confidence-inspiring handling across a variety of motorcycles, particularly heavy touring bikes and sportbikes used for long-distance travel.
Pros
- Exceptional tread life and mileage compared to dedicated sport tires.
- Sharp, responsive steering and handling characteristics.
- Consistent and reliable grip in both dry and wet road conditions.
- Stable performance under heavy loads, including luggage and pillion passengers.
Cons
- Occasional reports of rear-end slippage during aggressive cornering with power input.
- Front tire wear can be uneven or faster than expected depending on suspension setup.
- Some users noted a firm ride quality due to the stiff carcass construction.
Observations
- BMW K1600GTL owners report the tire is an excellent match for the bike's weight and touring demands.
- Sportbike riders (e.g., GSXR1000) appreciate the tire as a long-lasting alternative to pure sport rubber without losing agility.
- The stiff carcass design is noted to sharpen steering response, which is particularly beneficial for heavier touring motorcycles.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon Spirit ST | B · Dunlop RoadSmart III |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
90
/ 100
Avon
90
/ 100
Dunlop
Too close to call: Avon Spirit ST and Dunlop RoadSmart III are within 2 points overall. Avon Spirit ST is stronger on wet. Dunlop RoadSmart III is stronger on treadwear and comfort.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Avon Spirit ST scores 98 vs 89 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop RoadSmart III scores 89 vs 85 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop RoadSmart III scores 88 vs 85 on comfort.
Tire A · Avon Spirit ST
Tire B · Dunlop RoadSmart III
More comparisons
Also compared with
Avon Spirit ST also compared with
Dunlop RoadSmart III also compared with
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.