No dunlops
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,526
Likes: 601
From: Raleigh NC
I'm keeping MY Dunlop Elite 3's
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Any loss of life from an accident is tragic, however, aside from the poster who is emotionally inovolved, I don't think the general motorcycle community should draw conclusions from this incident without all of the facts. This 'let's ban or not use again mentality' arises too often these days based on very little evidence. The burger example given above is a good one because it provides proof of this mindset. One bad burger at one restaurant does not mean all other restaurants in that chain have bad burgers. Incidents, sometimes fatal, often occur with every product and that's why the extensive testing mentioned above is done and that is why we have government regulations to ensure safety. However, if a human is involved, nothing is 100% guranteed.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
Sorry for the loss of your freind.
That being said, I believe Dunlops to be a good tire. HD would not put them on the bikes if they were prone to problems. In this litigious society, they would be sued to hell and back if they were using inferior tires. I have run Dunlops, Metzelers and Avons. All are good but I choose to continue Dunlops as they for me are the best compromise between performamce, grip and mileage.
I have a freind who was running Metzelers and had two tread separations within a couple of thousand miles - and have seen Dunlops come apart, but with every tire, there is the chance of manufacturing defects and problems.
That being said, I believe Dunlops to be a good tire. HD would not put them on the bikes if they were prone to problems. In this litigious society, they would be sued to hell and back if they were using inferior tires. I have run Dunlops, Metzelers and Avons. All are good but I choose to continue Dunlops as they for me are the best compromise between performamce, grip and mileage.
I have a freind who was running Metzelers and had two tread separations within a couple of thousand miles - and have seen Dunlops come apart, but with every tire, there is the chance of manufacturing defects and problems.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: In the wind
Ok here ya go tires BRAND NEW had them put on just 2 weeks before thier trip. ANd he is VERY **** about checking EVERYTHING before each ride and at most stops(when traveling multistate). He is like myself I grew up offroading and mxing so I always go over my ride if I am stopped might just save your a$$. And as far as one I said I have seen of another dunlop blowout causeing the same resault wife died and rider badly injured. And it was a sidewall blowout not tread side. So i am thinking bad tire.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Texas
First let me offer my condolences to you on behalf of your friend.
I have approx 60k miles on my 05 FLHT with the Dunlop OEM tires and have experienced NO problems. I cannot stress enough how important it is to routinely check the tire pressure. I've seen mine drop by 10 - 15 pounds in a months time.
ride safe,
Dave
I have approx 60k miles on my 05 FLHT with the Dunlop OEM tires and have experienced NO problems. I cannot stress enough how important it is to routinely check the tire pressure. I've seen mine drop by 10 - 15 pounds in a months time.
ride safe,
Dave
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Central Oregon
Sad story.
Most blow outs happen because of low tire pressure. Low pressure from the start of the ride or air loss because of a slow leak. Heat builds up on the side wall of the tire and starts a separation, then a blow out.
Check your tire pressure regularly!!
Most blow outs happen because of low tire pressure. Low pressure from the start of the ride or air loss because of a slow leak. Heat builds up on the side wall of the tire and starts a separation, then a blow out.
Check your tire pressure regularly!!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 1
From: North Jersey
I read about this accident in the northeast rides thread. It happened about 8 miles from where I live. Very sad, and disturbing to me since my wife and I ride two-up all the time. As for Dunlops, I don't see the need to blackball the brand. The D-402's are designed for touring bikes and have very strong sidewalls. Now I don't know how the blowout occurred, but I would have to say there was a reason for it. Maybe incorrect pressure, damage, who knows. If it was a defect in the tire, an investigation should uncover it.
My sincere condolences to the couple's family and friends.
My sincere condolences to the couple's family and friends.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 2
From: Coral Springs, Florida
I'm sorry for your loss, however this is almost like saying:
"I have a friend who blew a transmission in his Harley, so I don't think anyone should ever buy a Harley".
Sounds silly, but there could have been a dozen contributing factors to this tragic accident, that occured, because of a blowout. I have seen several high speed blowouts, and none resulted in a crash, much less, death. The last one was just a week ago. Solo (72 yr old) rider on a Road King @ 70 MPH on a long, sweeping interstate overpass. He started to get a flat, but continued, hoping to make it off the overpass, to a safer spot to pull over. The tire blew out the sidewall, right on the ww line. Only had 1500 miles on the tire.
"I have a friend who blew a transmission in his Harley, so I don't think anyone should ever buy a Harley".
Sounds silly, but there could have been a dozen contributing factors to this tragic accident, that occured, because of a blowout. I have seen several high speed blowouts, and none resulted in a crash, much less, death. The last one was just a week ago. Solo (72 yr old) rider on a Road King @ 70 MPH on a long, sweeping interstate overpass. He started to get a flat, but continued, hoping to make it off the overpass, to a safer spot to pull over. The tire blew out the sidewall, right on the ww line. Only had 1500 miles on the tire.