Ohlins review
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 117
Likes: 32
From: Orange County
Where can you buy the Ohlins 2-2 for 5ish?
I'm interested in a pair myself.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 666
New rubber should ALWAYS feel night and day different than worn out tires.
It's hard to believe the American Elites are that different than the HD branded Dunlops.
As I understand it, Dunlop cannot sell the HD branded tires so they sell replacements. While they don't say "Harley Davidson" on them, I doubt they would do any more than make insignificant changes to be able to sell to the public through independant supply chains.
Bob
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 364
From: Okmulgee
We're your Dunlops worn out? Or did you compare a new tire to a new tire?
New rubber should ALWAYS feel night and day different than worn out tires.
It's hard to believe the American Elites are that different than the HD branded Dunlops.
As I understand it, Dunlop cannot sell the HD branded tires so they sell replacements. While they don't say "Harley Davidson" on them, I doubt they would do any more than make insignificant changes to be able to sell to the public through independant supply chains.
Bob
New rubber should ALWAYS feel night and day different than worn out tires.
It's hard to believe the American Elites are that different than the HD branded Dunlops.
As I understand it, Dunlop cannot sell the HD branded tires so they sell replacements. While they don't say "Harley Davidson" on them, I doubt they would do any more than make insignificant changes to be able to sell to the public through independant supply chains.
Bob
Look at the difference just in tread depth. 1/32 to maybe as much as 6/32 more rubber. Compounds are much better on the Elites than the worthless OEM tires. Go look at other brands of tires. It is very rare one gets good or even above average tires on a new bike, car, truck, trailer or semi tractor. They are always light on tread depth, never the best wearing or longest lasting. OEM tires are made to rip the consumer off on purpose. I knew just looking at the OEMs on my RK they would have to be replaced just because of the shallow tread depth. Those OEMs would be suicide tires in the rain. False hope faded fast as I hoped they would soon show they have some stickum. Still as greasy as the day I rode the bike home from the dealer.
Last edited by psyshack; Feb 24, 2017 at 07:53 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,003
From: Charleston, SC
The OEM D408/7 series is a major improvement over the older 402/1 tire.
HD specified it's design and tread pattern and contracted it to Dunlop for production.
It's major innovation was it's game changing dual compound which is a Dunlop formula.
The American Elite has a smarter tread pattern that wears much better without the typical OEM scalloping, but uses the same dual compound as the OEM, and unlike the OEM is available in normal market.
As told to me and many others by a Dunlop engineer(s) and mentioned here many times over.
You'll find that the Elites and OEM run pretty close in mileage. That is if your OEM does not start cupping. Thanks HD.
HD specified it's design and tread pattern and contracted it to Dunlop for production.
It's major innovation was it's game changing dual compound which is a Dunlop formula.
The American Elite has a smarter tread pattern that wears much better without the typical OEM scalloping, but uses the same dual compound as the OEM, and unlike the OEM is available in normal market.
As told to me and many others by a Dunlop engineer(s) and mentioned here many times over.
You'll find that the Elites and OEM run pretty close in mileage. That is if your OEM does not start cupping. Thanks HD.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
They will likely become more compliant with miles. Riders give up on seats and suspension without giving them enough seat time. Pun intended.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
I had to jump on the binders way hard this morning on my RK. A *** hole ran a red light then rolled the intersection. Stupid Okie!!!! Right in front of me. I was just about to throw the bike down then it stopped. The only thing that worked right was the front forks and brakes. The tires and rear end was a complete joke. ***** Harley and there idiot engineers. They are soooo stuck in the 1930's. The idiots.... Whats up with there Flintstone damn rock hard tires? They must have a 1930's brain freeze. Damn morons...
Last edited by checkers; Feb 25, 2017 at 09:39 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
I'm pretty sure most sport bike riders and sports car drivers place the handling potential of a tire far above it's mileage. Some of these vehicles are coming equipped with the best tires currently available.
You do bring up an interesting point. Passenger car tires are required to have a Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG). I'm not sure why motorcycle tires aren't subject to the same standard.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 666
Interesting note,
The only way to evaluate tire grip is to ride on a known road, riding on a bike with 50+% tread life remaining. Get temps and pressures to normalize.
Take the same turns, slow, medium, and sweepers at speeds where the actual traction is broke. Repeat for 3 iterations.
Replace tires on a same weather day with whatever and repeat the testing process.
The real challenge or issue here is to actually bring a bike to its traction limits but that is the only way to evaluate tire grip. In other words you have no clue as to stickiness/grip unless you find the limits of adhesion. Any opinion comparing old worn out tires to new ones or to state which tire feels stickier is basing apples to oranges. New (properly spec'd) tires ALWAYS feel better than old worn out tires.
Bob
The only way to evaluate tire grip is to ride on a known road, riding on a bike with 50+% tread life remaining. Get temps and pressures to normalize.
Take the same turns, slow, medium, and sweepers at speeds where the actual traction is broke. Repeat for 3 iterations.
Replace tires on a same weather day with whatever and repeat the testing process.
The real challenge or issue here is to actually bring a bike to its traction limits but that is the only way to evaluate tire grip. In other words you have no clue as to stickiness/grip unless you find the limits of adhesion. Any opinion comparing old worn out tires to new ones or to state which tire feels stickier is basing apples to oranges. New (properly spec'd) tires ALWAYS feel better than old worn out tires.
Bob
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
And you better be absolutely certain that your medical insurance is up to date.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 68
Likes: 29
From: Fort Lauderdale
Ive just installed adjustable Ohlins level 2
FANTASTIC best $700 spend on my bike that and a SE air cleaner $300
Two up riding adjust preload 2 turns
Solo down two turns
Rough load damper adjuster 2 clicks down .
smooth road 2 turns up
GUYS THESE REALLY REALLY MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE
bought them from Howard . He pre set them up . FANTASTIC IMPROVEMENT
FANTASTIC best $700 spend on my bike that and a SE air cleaner $300
Two up riding adjust preload 2 turns
Solo down two turns
Rough load damper adjuster 2 clicks down .
smooth road 2 turns up
GUYS THESE REALLY REALLY MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE
bought them from Howard . He pre set them up . FANTASTIC IMPROVEMENT