Dunlop elite 3 -real world feedback ?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
Dunlop elite 3 -real world feedback ?
Searched google and found only a single review for an electraglide regarding these tires, it was favorable. The rest of the reviews are from Goldwings and there is to much debate about the tires, neck bearings, whatever else for me to dig thru to get a good feel for how they perform on the 'Glides.
I'm intrested in them because the claim to handle rain, steel bridge grates, rain grooves, and tar strips better than the Elite II's which I run now. I've found the Elite II's to suck for the tar strips and steel bridge grates. The rain performance has been good and the wear ok.
Anyone running them ?
I'm intrested in them because the claim to handle rain, steel bridge grates, rain grooves, and tar strips better than the Elite II's which I run now. I've found the Elite II's to suck for the tar strips and steel bridge grates. The rain performance has been good and the wear ok.
Anyone running them ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
My second set is sitting in the back of my Tahoe, getting put on tomorrow. Oh, and I checked the MFG date, and they were both made in first quarter of '08. Very important to get fresh made rubber, not oldies that have been on the shelf, new, but sat for years. I ride pretty hard, with a lot of loaded up double riding, and long trips at high speeds. I got about 12K on rear, and they handled very well, hugged the road, didn't swerve on the tar snakes, liked their overall performance, and so I went with them again. Great buy on Dennis Kirk, both tires shipped to my house, barely over $200 for both. Free shipping over $100. Got the first set from Ron Ayers, but now they're charging shipping...(Note: My dealer wanted $189 for a rear only + Mounting and balancing)
Last edited by bigskyhd; Sep 26, 2008 at 02:00 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
Alas, I only have a Road Glide.... but maybe this will help
5,000 miles on my E-3 rear since 7/28/08 Feels planted.... far more so than the Metzler I had on it last, or the Dunlop OEM before that.
Tread wear, with 5k down, it shows SOME wear, but looks like 12-15k is possible.
Rain and tar snakes don't seem to effect them. And I just returned from the mountains, and they really held their own
5,000 miles on my E-3 rear since 7/28/08 Feels planted.... far more so than the Metzler I had on it last, or the Dunlop OEM before that.
Tread wear, with 5k down, it shows SOME wear, but looks like 12-15k is possible.
Rain and tar snakes don't seem to effect them. And I just returned from the mountains, and they really held their own
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA.
I went to Elite 3s in January. I hate to be the oddball, but when my wife and were out on a very hot day this summer, I thought we were going down on some of the tar snakes. Scared the crap out of us. After the first few corners of this, I don't think we were sliding too much, but it was a different sensation from my 402s.
I run 40lbs. front and rear on a Road King with a Dragonfly fairing and King Tour Pak. 20% 2 up. I have 11,400 on them and there is still some tread left. I'm thinking maybe 2 to 3 thousand more miles and I'll be ready for a new rear.
Being in So. Cal. the only rain has been from thunderstorms in the Palm Desert area and I didn't notice any adverse handling when wet.
I run 40lbs. front and rear on a Road King with a Dragonfly fairing and King Tour Pak. 20% 2 up. I have 11,400 on them and there is still some tread left. I'm thinking maybe 2 to 3 thousand more miles and I'll be ready for a new rear.
Being in So. Cal. the only rain has been from thunderstorms in the Palm Desert area and I didn't notice any adverse handling when wet.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: West Coast Canada
I've asked the tire question earlier on the forum, and after doing quite a bit of research I think I will try the E3's as well, for my RG. I need tires (F & R) right now. The HD Dunlops have never let me down, but wanted something a bit upscale from the 402's. Thanks for all your inputs. As we all know, there are lots of good and bad stories for all brands of tires.....kinda like the "oil threads"
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Eastern PA
Put an E-3 on the back of my bagger late this spring... still have the std Lop on the front until it gets worn just a bit more. For me, the E-3 has given me a much better feel than any of the 402's ever gave me. I actually have more confidence in turns now. The one thing I did notice ( and it may just be my imagination) is once in a while while pulling out straight line on a cold tire, it almost feels like the bike is tracking crooked for a foot or so. Then again, I like to worry a lot, so if something isn't wrong, I tend to find things that "might" be wrong.
I've only been riding for 40 some years, so I still have a lot of learning to do. In any case, I like them enough that the front WILL be replaced with an E-3, and as long as I get decent mileage out of the rear when the time comes it will get another E-3 back there.
Rags
I've only been riding for 40 some years, so I still have a lot of learning to do. In any case, I like them enough that the front WILL be replaced with an E-3, and as long as I get decent mileage out of the rear when the time comes it will get another E-3 back there.
Rags
Last edited by Rags722; Sep 27, 2008 at 12:53 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Yes, I've done some rain duty with em on our trip to Oregon, and back from South Dakota. They handled very well for me. I've been through Metz, Avons, Continentals, and of course the 402's a number of times. I'm hooked right now on these E-3's. As hard as I ride, packing as much crap as I haul, they just perform exceptionally for me. Yes, I've got a RoadKing, with the Dead Center Fairing, Tour Pak when the Wife comes along, and I'm always carrying way too much "nice to have crap" along. All the guys I ride with love it though, cause when they don't have what they need, I usually do. Just makes the bike weigh in at the 1/2 ton mark most of the time. I really don't think you'll be disappointed. But I've had guys swear by the Metz or Avons, and they just didn't work for me. So give em a try, and let us know what YOU think....
