March 19th, 2025.



Dunlop SportSmart mk4 has been crowned the winner of the latest European sport tyre magazine tests by MOTORRAD and PS Magazine, receiving particular praise for its grip, performance and quick warm-up on both wet and dry roads.

MOTORRAD, Europe’s largest motorcycle magazine, awarded SportSmart mk4 the title of Test Winner in the Sport category of its latest test, rating it ‘Very Good’ and presenting it with the ‘Buying Recommendation Dry’ and ‘Buying Recommendation Wet’ accolades. The test assessed six sport and six hypersport tyres on a BMW S1000RR in sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and 190/55ZR17 (rear) across country roads and on track, in both wet and dry conditions.

MOTORRAD’s test team praised SportSmart mk4’s quick warm-up, handling, easy turn-in, and confidence-inspiring stability. On country roads, it excelled in agility and rider comfort, while on track - in both wet and dry conditions - its predictable grip and traction set it apart from its competitors.

In the test report, editors noted its “very good feedback” and “great cold-running properties” on country roads, as well as its “good-natured behaviour” on track, concluding that it was a “perfect debut for the new sport tire.”

The tyre ranked best of the six sport tyres in the dry test on country roads, achieved the fastest wet lap time, and secured second place in the track section; enough to earn it the overall victory.

Two tests, two wins: PS also awards SportSmart mk4 top spot
PS also named SportSmart mk4 Test Winner status in its latest test, which assessed six sport and six hypersport tyres in wet and dry categories on a BMW S1000RR. PS editors placed SportSmart mk4 at the top of the ranks across both categories, earning it the overall win.

PS testers were particularly impressed by its wet weather performance, noting: “After just a few corners, it is ready to go.” Testers also highlighted its “ultra-precise cornering behaviour” and ability to deliver “top feedback,” concluding that it was a “deserved overall victory.”

SportSmart mk4 was developed and manufactured in Dunlop’s motorcycle centre of excellence in Montlucon, France, where many of its racing tyres are also produced. Dunlop’s extensive experience in top level superbike and supersport racing is the inspiration for much of the technology used in its premium hypersport range, and SportSmart mk4 is the latest tyre to benefit from race-proven innovations.

These developments include Dynamic Front Formula on the front tyre, which helps to obtain the perfect balance between reduced steering effort, grip, stability and feel for the right match between both tyres, and Carcass Tension Control System to tune the casing tension and optimise the footprint to get the most out of the tread compound.

This test success comes just one week after Dunlop redefined the motorcycle tyre launch experience by creating a groundbreaking virtual event, Curvemaster, to introduce the SportSmart mk4 tyre to the European market. The online event challenged traditional tyre testing methods by offering more than 110 European journalists and influencers unprecedented control over their own testing environment.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “Launching a brand-new product in such a bold and disruptive way, and winning two comparative tests in one week, is an outstanding achievement. This test success for Dunlop confirms that our latest hypersport tyre delivers best-in-class performance on both road and track.

“We are delighted that SportSmart mk4 has been recognised so highly across two separate tests, excelling across all key areas and delivering an exceptionally well-balanced performance.”

For further details of the Dunlop motorcycle tyre range CLICK HERE.