95
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
93/100
3 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop TrailSmart Max vs Michelin Road 5 — 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
85
/ 100
Objective (60%)
72/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
84/100
24 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop TrailSmart Max — better treadwear, comfort and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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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)
TrailSmart Max leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 87 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
TrailSmart Max leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 87 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
TrailSmart Max leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 89 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
TrailSmart Max leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 83 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
TrailSmart Max leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | TrailSmart Max | Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop TrailSmart Max | Michelin Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 95 | 85 |
| Dry | 93 | 88 |
| Wet | 93 | 87 |
| Comfort | 100 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 100 | 83 |
| Handling | 87 | 80 |
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
95
/ 100
Tire A
85
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop TrailSmart Max is highly regarded by adventure motorcycle riders for its exceptional balance between sport-touring road performance and light off-road capability. Users consistently praise its handling, wet-weather confidence, and comfort, positioning it as a superior upgrade over many original equipment tires.
Pros
- Excellent handling and turn-in precision on tarmac
- Strong wet-weather grip and stability
- High levels of rider comfort and low noise output
- Versatile performance across varying road conditions
Cons
- Limited performance in deep mud or technical off-road terrain
- Tendency to power slide under aggressive acceleration in heavy rain
- Perceived as less capable in off-road environments compared to dedicated dual-sport tires
Observations
- Riders of large-displacement adventure bikes like the BMW R1200 GSA report high satisfaction with longevity and road-biased performance.
- Users of mid-weight adventure bikes like the V-Strom 650 appreciate the high grip levels on tarmac but note the tire's limitations on loose gravel surfaces.
The Michelin Road 5 is widely regarded as a benchmark sport-touring tire, praised for its exceptional wet-weather performance and impressive longevity. While most riders report high confidence in both dry and wet conditions, a significant subset of users has expressed frustration regarding the tire's susceptibility to punctures, which some attribute to its soft carcass and siping design.
Pros
- Class-leading wet weather grip and rider confidence
- Excellent tread life and durability for touring applications
- Dual-compound construction provides a balance of stability and cornering grip
- Strong performance across diverse riding styles, including occasional track use
Cons
- High susceptibility to punctures from road debris
- Soft carcass construction can be prone to structural damage from impacts
- Some users report a lack of feedback compared to dedicated sport tires
- Premium price point compared to competitors
Observations
- Users on torquey middleweight bikes (e.g., 650cc-765cc) report excellent traction and longevity, even under aggressive riding.
- Heavier sport-touring machines (e.g., K1300R, VFR800) benefit from the tire's stability, though some note unique wear patterns on the front tire compared to the rear.
- Commuters on poor-quality tarmac report high mileage but note that the tire's grip can be tested by extreme road surface conditions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop TrailSmart Max | B · Michelin Road 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season All Terrain and Off Road tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
95
/ 100
Dunlop
85
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Dunlop TrailSmart Max — better treadwear, comfort and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop TrailSmart Max scores 100 vs 83 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop TrailSmart Max scores 100 vs 89 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop TrailSmart Max scores 87 vs 80 on handling.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop TrailSmart Max scores 93 vs 87 on wet.
Tire A · Dunlop TrailSmart Max
Tire B · Michelin Road 5
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop TrailSmart Max also compared with
Michelin Road 5 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.