DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 5
From: The sticks in SC
RE: DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
Buddy on a 2000 GW just got 14500 on a rear dunlop E3, he's pretty rough on them to, likes to take off quick and go though the gears, not burn outs but quick on the wick. I don't think the fronts will go 2 to 1 though looking at his 
 \\;Might try a set on mine this winter wghen I replace my rubber. I hear the dragons were more of a sport touring tire from what read, more grip less mileage.
 \\;Might try a set on mine this winter wghen I replace my rubber. I hear the dragons were more of a sport touring tire from what read, more grip less mileage.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From:
RE: DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
I just finished 3100mi trip on the Mich., and they done great. I had duns and then the 880 but for me so far I am happy with the Mich. I get a little bit smoother ride now, does good in the rain and now I will see what kind of milage I'll get. The Mets and Duns gave me over 10,000 and still had a little left in them.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
RE: DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
I would like to know the trick getting more than 7,500 miles on the rear. I have 20,000 miles on my Ultra and am on the 4th rear but the front is still doing great. In fact I do not see rplacing my front untill next year but the rear,Oh well
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,945
Likes: 1
From:
RE: DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
It's gonna vary for each of us, simply 'cuz of the different ridin' styles/conditions. \\;For us, this trip wuz 3,300 miles of mostly backroads runnin' at 70-80 mph with a trailer in tow.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
From: Milwaukie Oregon
RE: DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
ORIGINAL: StrongIslander
Russl, Regarding peeling tread blocks on METZ, read the full threads, it seems guys were mostly running incorrectly load rated tires(wrong tire) \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;or running wrong pressures due to poor/bad info, for their rides. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; I've got no stake in the METZ, just clarity... \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ ;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
Russl, Regarding peeling tread blocks on METZ, read the full threads, it seems guys were mostly running incorrectly load rated tires(wrong tire) \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;or running wrong pressures due to poor/bad info, for their rides. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; I've got no stake in the METZ, just clarity... \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ ;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
Well I was the one that reported tread separation with the me880 As a point of clarification at the time I bought the 150/16 It was listed on their ME880 brochure as a stage 2 upgrade to the original 130/16 requiring a narrower belt than the original 1.5" belt. The 140/16 was listed as a stage 1 upgrade and would fit with the 1.5" belt. As far as the tire pressure It was maintained at the 42 psi which is clearly labeled on the side wall. I today went to metzlers website and they have changed their brochures and recommendations on fitment from 2 years ago. If you use their fitment guide for flhtcui >\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;2004 they have no tires that will fit.
 \\;
http://www.metzelermoto.com/web/fitm...Vehicle=202462
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From:
RE: DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
Here is a good thread on the Michelins.
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2355753/tm.htm
I am on my third rear Michelin.
It is a smoother ride, and provides more traction in wet and dry. \\; They also do not follow the tar snakes or rain grooves.
I get about 10K out of the lops and 8K out of the Michelins. \\; The extra 20% cost is well worth the increased traction, better ride, and better control.
Since I ride 2up and pull a trailer a good part of the time I would not go with any tire that was not load rated as high as the lops and Michelins.
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2355753/tm.htm
I am on my third rear Michelin.
It is a smoother ride, and provides more traction in wet and dry. \\; They also do not follow the tar snakes or rain grooves.
I get about 10K out of the lops and 8K out of the Michelins. \\; The extra 20% cost is well worth the increased traction, better ride, and better control.
Since I ride 2up and pull a trailer a good part of the time I would not go with any tire that was not load rated as high as the lops and Michelins.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 18
From: Emmett,Idaho
RE: DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
ORIGINAL: stevepacman
I am getting close to needing front and rear \\;\\\\\\;rubber at approx 17,000 miles. I am considering going with Michelin instead on Dunlops. Has anyone ran both tires and have an honest opinion of which they liked better. (What I mean is not saying "They're the greatest!" because you've spend your hard-earned $$ on them.) Wondering what kinda tread life can I get from a Michelin? \\;\\\\\\; I am not interested in Metzelers. \\;\\\\\\; Thanks in advance.
I am getting close to needing front and rear \\;\\\\\\;rubber at approx 17,000 miles. I am considering going with Michelin instead on Dunlops. Has anyone ran both tires and have an honest opinion of which they liked better. (What I mean is not saying "They're the greatest!" because you've spend your hard-earned $$ on them.) Wondering what kinda tread life can I get from a Michelin? \\;\\\\\\; I am not interested in Metzelers. \\;\\\\\\; Thanks in advance.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: DUNLOP VS MICHELIN!
Texasredneck is right that it will vary from rider to rider. \\; Here are the factors as I see the tire-wear issue:
1. Keep proper pressure (38 solo, 40 2-up and/or loaded cold)
2. Keep off the rear brake unless needed.
3. Slow down. \\; As you ride faster you have more drag on the bike and the rear tire is pushing against the pavement harder and harder as the speed increases.
4. More throttle for acceleration, more rear tire wear. That's obvious.
To the OP and others, consider the Dunlop Elite 3. The MU90-16 rear fits well for newer bikes with original MU85 tires, as diminsions are almost identical. Performance is excellent in wet or dry and based on wear at 4600 miles this E3 should give me 50-60% longer mileage than the D402. \\; I see it as a win-win proposition: Performance is fine, last longer, and are even cheaper. The Downside is that they are only available in BW.
1. Keep proper pressure (38 solo, 40 2-up and/or loaded cold)
2. Keep off the rear brake unless needed.
3. Slow down. \\; As you ride faster you have more drag on the bike and the rear tire is pushing against the pavement harder and harder as the speed increases.
4. More throttle for acceleration, more rear tire wear. That's obvious.
To the OP and others, consider the Dunlop Elite 3. The MU90-16 rear fits well for newer bikes with original MU85 tires, as diminsions are almost identical. Performance is excellent in wet or dry and based on wear at 4600 miles this E3 should give me 50-60% longer mileage than the D402. \\; I see it as a win-win proposition: Performance is fine, last longer, and are even cheaper. The Downside is that they are only available in BW.