March 23rd, 2026.



Dunlop Motorcycle Europe is marking the first anniversary of the introduction of its SportSmart mk4 hypersport tyre with two major comparative test victories in leading European motorcycle publications, reinforcing its status as one of the leading road-focused hypersport tyres on the market.

The success comes one year after its introduction through Dunlop’s innovative Curvemaster virtual launch event, which reimagined the traditional tyre introduction format through a groundbreaking digital experience that gave more than 150 journalists and influencers control over their own testing environment.

SportSmart mk4 now continues its strong run of success, claiming victory in the 2026 sport tyre test conducted by German motorcycle publications MOTORRAD and PS. The results mark the second consecutive year that SportSmart mk4 has taken top honours in both respected tests, underlining the tyre’s consistent performance and cementing its reputation as a benchmark in the hypersport tyre category.

The tyre has also received major industry recognition over the past year, winning the Jury’s Special Award for Safety at the Automobile Awards in December, and Neumáticos & Mecánica Rápida’s Premios Neumático del Año (Tire of the Year Awards) for 2025.

Commanding performance across the board
In this year’s sport tyre comparisons by MOTORRAD and PS, SportSmart mk4 delivered a balanced performance across all key categories, securing overall victory against leading competitors in the segment.

Both magazines tested tyres in popular sizes on a BMW S 1000 XR, assessing road riding behaviour, wet performance, dry track handling and durability after extended mileage.

MOTORRAD's editors praised the tyre’s agile handling, direct steering response and clear rider feedback in dry conditions, describing a “very direct” riding experience that, “provides the rider with transparent, unfiltered information about the asphalt”. They added that “sporty, ambitious riders will love this tyre, because every metre feels like riding on a race tyre.”

In wet conditions, the editorial team highlighted its rapid warm-up and confidence-inspiring grip.

PS testers also highlighted the tyre’s handling and balanced all-round performance. Editors noted it, “steers more easily when turning in than its competitors and makes bulky motorcycles more agile.” In wet conditions, the tyre impressed from cold, “quickly inspiring confidence in its grip”.

Summarising the result, the editorial team wrote: “Leading the way is the test winner, the Dunlop SportSmart mk4, which shows that in such a closely contested test field you cannot afford any weaknesses. Excellent handling, very good wet and dry grip, and low wear deliver the highest points total.”

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “SportSmart mk4 was designed to deliver confident, consistent hypersport performance on the road, and these results prove those capabilities. In its first year, the tyre has won multiple comparative tests, and become a go-to choice for hypersport riders across Europe. To win these two tests again is a super way to mark the tire’s first anniversary.”


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