It was the first ride of the season today and it was great. Maybe even better than I had hoped. Ole Blue ran great but, handled even better. I had the rear tire replaced. No big deal right? Well, I went with the Dunlop American Elite. Also, no big deal. But, I went back to a 90 because the 85 I had on last summer would some time rub the drive belt. Any way, The handling of my bike was just awesome. The question is, is it the difference between the 85 and the 90?

 

It's called "new tire intoxication".

 

More than likely ya got rid of the flat spot.

Yup new tires are intoxicating

Glad ya got a good ride in
WP

 

Had my first long ride on my new E3. Smooth as silk and good feel. The 402 was so worn, anything feels better than that old thing.

 

No.
In my experience there is no difference in handling between the MT and MU size tires.
However there is a huge difference between the 402 and the American Elite or E3 for that matter.
The Harley branded Dunlops just suck!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know what you had on there before you put on the American Elite but it must have been a crappy tire.

 

New tire intoxication for sure!

It was a 880 Metzler. I liked the tread design and its performance on wet roads. That was also my first experience with Metzlers.

With just over 11,000 on the tire, it definitely had a flat spot.

Maybe the wider tire had a larger flat spot, which made me feel it more?

The 90 sure filled the fender up more. =]

 

Tires are like girlfriends. The new ones are the best you ever had.

 

... once you get them broken in.

 

I know this isn`t a best tire topic but I would also like to add that we tend to get use to the tires we`re riding on and tend to not want to put the money into new shoes until tread is by standards worn to time to change. I got use to mine and when it came time to change I went with the E3 and the difference was incredible.

 

Very much new tyre, nothing to do with the difference in size between the old and new IMHO.