Want to go faster, farther? Maybe the latest Dunlop Sportmax rubber is for you
With a range of new Sportmax tyres – from the Q5 for track use to the Q5S track and road tyre, plus the Q5A aimed squarely at road use – Dunlop is repositioning itself as a premium supplier of sportsbike rubber to Aussie riders. It’s fair to say that Dunlop has lost ground against its competitors, especially Pirelli, Michelin and Bridgestone, over the last two to three decades, particularly in the sportsbike market. In 2026, though, the company has flexed its not inconsiderable muscle in tyre tech and knowledge to produce a range that will suit a wide variety of riders, from those on sportsbikes casually enjoying road riding, through to committed track-day enthusiasts, all wearing the Sportmax name on their tyre wall.
Dunlop has been a major manufacturer of racing rubber for many decades, and throughout much of the 21st century has been the supplier to Moto3 and Moto2, with a strong influence in championships like MotoAmerica as well. However, not being a supplier to WorldSBK or MotoGP has caused the brand to lose some of its profile as a major player in the market – and with Pirelli having held the WorldSBK contract for many years and set to take over from Michelin at MotoGP in 2027, there’s little Dunlop can do about that in the short term. Instead, the new Sportmax Q5 range will get a big push in the way Dunlop tries to get riders testing them, trying them on their bikes, and (hopefully) coming back for more. Possibly more importantly, they’ve built a family of tyres that can walk you through from being a road rider on the Q5A, to someone who does the occasional track day on the Q5S, to a committed track-day regular on the Q5.
Dunlop Sportmax Q5
If it’s outright performance you’re after, the Q5 is your track tyre. There are a couple of long grooves in the tread, but they look about as close to a racing slick as I think I’ve ever seen on a street-legal tyre, although Dunlop was at pains to point out the Sportmax Q5 works well from cold, making tyre warmers redundant. Priced from $329.95, they’re not what I would call cheap. However, when you’re pushing really hard on a racetrack (and let’s face it, the majority of us can’t go anywhere near as fast as a good road racer) it’s not about the bike. It’s usually about the rider. If you have confidence in your tyres, you can push harder, learn more, go faster and do it safely. Plus Dunlop has worked hard to make the Q5 last longer than you’d typically expect from a track-focused, street-legal tyre or slick – via some interesting compounds and modern construction techniques to increase tyre life. On the track-day launch at Sydney Motorsport Park, I examined a number of Q5 tyres at the end of the day on various bikes, mostly high-performance machines, and was impressed with how they looked – wearing well and not trashed, despite some reasonably hard punters having a bit of a go.
Dunlop Sportmax Q5S
The Q5S replaces the Q3+ and is best described as a track-ready tyre that’s also street-friendly. It features enhanced construction profiles, compounds and tread patterns to provide lighter, nimbler handling with improved dry and wet grip, making it more versatile across a broader range of conditions and riders.
I found it very user-friendly, and it was wearing well for track use. On the Yamaha R9 I rode with these tyres fitted, I felt the steering was a little heavier than I’d ideally like on a racetrack – though there are many variables that could explain that, including the bike itself, and I doubt the Q5S was the real culprit. It’s also a characteristic that plenty of riders prefer, and on the street I’d likely appreciate it too, since it makes the bike feel more stable.
Grip was really impressive, and it was only after I jumped on an R7 fitted with the Q5 track tyres that I realised just how much more was on offer, confirming that the Q5 is the better tyre on track.
That said, if you buy your own tyres and spend more time on the street than at a circuit – especially if you live near some good twisties and ride them hard – the Q5S is probably the smarter choice..
Dunlop Sportmax Q5A
If track riding isn’t really your thing, the Q5A Sportmax might be the sports tyre for you. It uses multi-tread technology on both front and rear tyres to deliver a long-lasting centreline alongside good grip on the sides and strong steering, handling and braking performance. These are a sportsbike tyre designed for everyday riding; if you want something sporty but still ride to work, carry a pillion occasionally, cover plenty of road kilometres and never really think about heading to a track, the Q5A makes a lot of sense. It’s cheaper, will last considerably longer, and offers much better wet-weather performance than its track-focused siblings.
Unless you’re genuinely going to use your tyres on a track, the Q5A is the only Sportmax variant I’d recommend as an everyday road tyre. The Q5 and Q5S are excellent at what they do – but what they do is best appreciated on a closed circuit.
Sizes and prices
The Sportmax Q5 range are only available in 17-inch sizes: each model has a 110/70 and 120/70 front, while there are numerous rear tyre widths and profiles available, from 140/70 to 200/60. The Q5 prices (RRP) range from $329.95 to $529.95, the Q5S $299.95 to $499.95 and Q5A $239.95 to $409.95.
