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Dunlop Trailmax Meridian vs Pirelli Scorpion Trail II — 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 | Trailmax Meridian | Scorpion Trail II |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 87 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Trailmax Meridian | Scorpion Trail II |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 69 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Trailmax Meridian | Scorpion Trail II |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 83 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Trailmax Meridian | Scorpion Trail II |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 71 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Trailmax Meridian | Scorpion Trail II |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Trailmax Meridian | Pirelli Scorpion Trail II |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 77 |
| Dry | 85 | 87 |
| Wet | 80 | 69 |
| Comfort | 85 | 83 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 71 |
| Handling | 85 | 84 |
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 Trailmax Meridian is highly regarded by adventure motorcycle riders, particularly those transitioning from premium competitors like the Michelin Road 5 Trail. Users report that the tire offers performance parity or superiority, making it a strong contender for high-performance adventure touring bikes.
Pros
- Excellent handling characteristics comparable to top-tier competitors
- Strong performance on heavy adventure motorcycles
- High level of rider confidence and reliability
Observations
- Users specifically noted high satisfaction when fitted to the BMW R1250GS platform.
The Pirelli Scorpion Trail II receives a polarized reception, with users praising its dry-weather grip and versatility for light off-road touring, while frequently criticizing its performance in wet conditions. While some riders appreciate its longevity and capability on varied terrain, others report significant concerns regarding wet-weather stability, rapid tread wear, and inconsistent quality control.
Pros
- Excellent grip and confidence on dry pavement
- Strong performance on light off-road trails and varied surfaces like gravel and dirt
- Quick warm-up time in favorable conditions
- Capable handling for long-distance touring
Cons
- Poor wet-weather performance and susceptibility to hydroplaning
- Twitchy or unstable handling characteristics in rain
- Rapid tread wear and premature flattening
- Reports of structural quality issues, such as tread splitting
Observations
- High-performance adventure bikes like the KTM 1290 Adventure exhibit significant issues with wet-weather stability and rapid rear tire wear.
- Users on heavy touring platforms, such as the BMW R1200RT, report better success using the tire for mixed-surface adventure touring.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Trailmax Meridian | B · Pirelli Scorpion Trail II |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season All Terrain and Off Road tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Pirelli
Winner: Dunlop Trailmax Meridian — better wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Dunlop Trailmax Meridian scores 80 vs 69 on wet.
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.