Tires...again
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Florida
Tires...again
I've been reading through a number of threads about the Dunlop D402 vs America Elite vs E3. I'm getting one of them on the back of my 02 Road King tomorrow (local shop has all 3 in the right size). I've always replaced my tires with stock replacement tires. I've had the current D402 for about a 1 1/2 years, about 15K. My wife & I ride 2-up a lot on weekends, and I ride it to work every day, rain or shine. The reviews I've read are mixed on ratings for distance, grip, and handling in wet conditions. I'm OK with getting 15K as long as I feel comfortable on the wet roads. It's rainy season in Florida, so that's important. Any real world experience on which would be the better fit?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Twin Cities, MN
The E3's ride so much better then the 402 on our era Road Kings. Track/handle better, better in the rain, don't follow tar snakes and last longer. It really is a no brainer.
I went through three sets of E3's before I gave the Michelin Commander II's a try. I will likely go beck to the E3's. (the Commanders are nice also)
I went through three sets of E3's before I gave the Michelin Commander II's a try. I will likely go beck to the E3's. (the Commanders are nice also)
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 680
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From: Buhl, Idaho
'08 FLHT, E-3 on front, American Elite on rear. Works very well.Handles well, good traction in the rain, feels real stable and predictable in turns/curves. Best combo I've found yet, for my bike.Mileage is working out pretty good, too.
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From: Florida
Thanks for the input, most of the reviews I had been reading online kept saying "haven't tried it in the rain". That is probably the most important thing on my list as I ride in the rain on a regular basis.
Grand HDF Member
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From: Oklahoma
Of the tires you list, I have used the D402s and the E3s. The D402s buzz, the E3s run smoothly. 15,000 was about the best i could do from the
D402 rear tire, the E3 went another 10,000 beyond that. Almost all NEW tires provide freedom fr
om reactions to tar snakes and road seams but as they wear, the unpleasant reactions return. Oddly, the rear tire contributes more to the wobbly reaction than the front. Each time I replaced a rear tire, the sweet riding returned. The D402 sweet ride lasted about 7500 miles but the E3 stayed nice for about 10,000 miles. No tire I have ever tried remained free from road reaction for the full tread life.
I treat wet roads as if they were icy so I haven't explored the limits of wet traction. For my style of riding, those tires all behaved well. I am currently running a Commander II on the rear and am enjoying the sweet ride so far to 3000 miles. It is also a smooth running tire and have had no squirrely handling in the rain. For a smooth ride (no buzzing in the frame) I would ride anything but the D402 tires. Perhaps someone else can tell you about the American Elites, I have not tried any of those.
D402 rear tire, the E3 went another 10,000 beyond that. Almost all NEW tires provide freedom fr
om reactions to tar snakes and road seams but as they wear, the unpleasant reactions return. Oddly, the rear tire contributes more to the wobbly reaction than the front. Each time I replaced a rear tire, the sweet riding returned. The D402 sweet ride lasted about 7500 miles but the E3 stayed nice for about 10,000 miles. No tire I have ever tried remained free from road reaction for the full tread life.
I treat wet roads as if they were icy so I haven't explored the limits of wet traction. For my style of riding, those tires all behaved well. I am currently running a Commander II on the rear and am enjoying the sweet ride so far to 3000 miles. It is also a smooth running tire and have had no squirrely handling in the rain. For a smooth ride (no buzzing in the frame) I would ride anything but the D402 tires. Perhaps someone else can tell you about the American Elites, I have not tried any of those.
Last edited by btsom; Jun 17, 2015 at 03:27 PM.
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From: Florida
After a discussion with the guys at the shop, I went with the American Elites. We're going to put about 500 miles on them this weekend.
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I just put an American elite on after riding on a 402 for so long. I can tell you the handling is different and normally the wiggle I would feel on rain groves on the highway has pretty much disappeared with the American elite. Haven't ridden in the rain yet. I'm in sunny california and we are in a drought
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