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Dunlop SportSmart 2 vs Pirelli Angel ST — 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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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
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 84 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 83 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 89 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 78 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 97 | 81 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 86 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SportSmart 2 | Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 84 | 82 |
| Dry | 87 | 84 |
| Wet | 73 | 83 |
| Comfort | 90 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 78 |
| Handling | 97 | 81 |
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
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SportSmart 2 is generally regarded as a capable sport-oriented tire that offers a strong balance of dry grip, quick warm-up times, and excellent feedback. While users appreciate its neutral handling and stable carcass, some riders note that its wet-weather performance, particularly regarding rear-end traction, may lag behind premium competitors like Michelin.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and cornering stability
- Rapid warm-up time
- High level of road feedback and communication
- Neutral and predictable turn-in behavior
Cons
- Rear tire traction can be inconsistent in wet conditions
- Performance is perceived as only a marginal upgrade over lower-cost alternatives
- Outperformed in all-weather versatility by some rival brands
Observations
- Riders on high-torque sportbikes like the Honda SP1 and ZX10R report high confidence in the tire's carcass stability during aggressive cornering.
- Users on middleweight commuters like the F800R find the tire suitable for a mix of daily riding and spirited mountain canyon carving.
The Pirelli Angel ST is widely regarded as a dependable, versatile sport-touring tire that offers a strong balance of dry grip, stability, and longevity. While users generally praise its predictable handling and confidence-inspiring performance in varied conditions, some riders report inconsistent wear patterns and a noticeable drop-off in performance as the tire nears the end of its service life.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and cornering stability
- Predictable and reliable performance in wet conditions
- Strong longevity for sport-touring applications
- Neutral and responsive steering characteristics
Cons
- Rapid, sudden wear once the tire reaches the end of its tread life
- Requires a brief warm-up period to reach optimal operating temperature
- Inconsistent wet-weather performance compared to premium competitors
- Potential for cupping if tire pressures are not strictly managed
Observations
- Heavy sport-touring motorcycles, such as the Yamaha FJR1300, benefit from running higher-than-factory tire pressures to prevent cupping and improve responsiveness.
- The rear tire performance is noted to be more stable and predictable when the motorcycle is loaded with a passenger and luggage, suggesting the carcass design favors heavier loads.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SportSmart 2 | B · Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Pirelli
Winner: Dunlop SportSmart 2 — better handling, treadwear and dry. Pick the Pirelli Angel ST if wet matters most to you.
Dunlop SportSmart 2 scores 97 vs 81 on handling.
Pirelli Angel ST scores 83 vs 73 on wet.
Dunlop SportSmart 2 scores 83 vs 78 on treadwear.
Dunlop SportSmart 2 scores 87 vs 84 on dry.
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.