The Dunlop Trailmax Raid is ready to hit the road, paved or not. The aggressive 40/60-rated tire lies between the gnarly D908RR Rally Raid that inspired it and Dunlop’s popular Trailmax Mission. Their target ranges from mid-sized dual-sports to large adventure bikes.
A Tread Talk
Without looking too hard, it’s easy to see that Dunlop borrowed the D908RR’s block tread design for their new model. However, some modifications were made for big bikes and road riding. To start, they added tie-bars between the stout Trailmax Raid tread blocks to improve stability and handling for heavy adventure machines. Next, Dunlop gave the tire larger center tread blocks to handle extended pavement use and narrowed the space between the shoulder blocks to improve grip at high lean angles. The end result is an aggressive tread that is quieter than the 908’s on the highway and allows more fun in the corners.
Trailmax Raid: Grip, Not Slip
Not every ride is a dry affair, in fact some are just plain soggy. Dunlop paid attention to the Raid’s wet grip by adding highly dispersible high surface area silica to the tread compound. Their goal is to boost low-temperature flexibility while enhancing both adhesion to wet tarmac and durability. The Trailmax Raids have more tech to offer as well. Their radial sizes use Jointless Belt Construction, which provides smoother handling by eliminating belt overlap and reduces distortion that can create excessive heat. Per Dunlop, two build methods augment the TrailMax Raid’s handling. First is the Carcass Tension Control System, which optimizes the contact patch to create variable tension across the carcass width. Second is their Dynamic Front Formula, a tire design approach that balances section profile, carcass material properties and assembly processes.
Sizing Is Everything
Owners of large adventure bikes and mid-range dual-sports will find the Trailmax Raid sizes they need in Dunlop’s fitment list. Dunlop offers them in three sizes for front wheels (19- and 21-inch) and six for the rear (17- and 18-inch). Four sizes are bias-ply and five are radials. In light–or possibly shadow–of the new Raid, Dunlop has demoted the former 50/50 Trailmax Mission to a 60/40 rating. It will be interesting to see if the Raid steals sales from the popular Mission.
America’s Tires
Dunlop has tire factories around the world, but there is only one facility that makes motorcycle tires. That one is in Buffalo, New York, a facility that has served them well for over 100 years. Today Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A.
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