tires
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Cruiser
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tires
I have a 06 Electraglide and it is time for a rear tire. I have 25,000 miles on the bike and this will be my 3rd rear tire. I have been sticking with the factory dunlops as the rear never wears out at the same time as the front. I am looking for a better performance tire than the factory originals. Any suggestions?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: Boise, Idaho
i just went Dunlop Elite 3s. based on all that i've read, appears they are pretty hard to beat for handling and mileage. Plus, they were cheaper than what the dealer wanted for stock dunlop 402s.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
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I am currently using Elite 3's on the advice of a friend with 100,000 plus on his bike (and several sets of E3's). First, if anyone claims they "handle" better, I'd like to know how they can quantify that statement. E3's are made of a harder compound than stock, which is why they could last 20K instead of 10K. Harder compounds do not grip the road better than softer compounds. What E3's offer is a tread pattern that won't wander on metal bridges, rain grooves, asphalt lane separations (up to maybe 3-4" wide), etc like stock tires. Also, at about 50MPH on asphalt only, my tires "sing" but it goes away at about 60MPH. I also can't say how they do in the rain versus stock because I haven't ridden either to their functional limits. I ride the same way with the Elite 3's as I did with stock tires and the E3's have a far greater tendency to lock up and bark a little during hard rear braking than stock. If I get the 20K out of them I was told I would get then I will be satisfied overall, just don't let anyone tell you they are superior in every way than stock tires.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 247
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From: Merritt Island Florida
I am currently using Elite 3's on the advice of a friend with 100,000 plus on his bike (and several sets of E3's). First, if anyone claims they "handle" better, I'd like to know how they can quantify that statement. E3's are made of a harder compound than stock, which is why they could last 20K instead of 10K. Harder compounds do not grip the road better than softer compounds. What E3's offer is a tread pattern that won't wander on metal bridges, rain grooves, asphalt lane separations (up to maybe 3-4" wide), etc like stock tires. Also, at about 50MPH on asphalt only, my tires "sing" but it goes away at about 60MPH. I also can't say how they do in the rain versus stock because I haven't ridden either to their functional limits. I ride the same way with the Elite 3's as I did with stock tires and the E3's have a far greater tendency to lock up and bark a little during hard rear braking than stock. If I get the 20K out of them I was told I would get then I will be satisfied overall, just don't let anyone tell you they are superior in every way than stock tires.
Last edited by JHeiser; May 9, 2009 at 12:49 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
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I don't know I have had four sets of the OEM tires and I can say very certainly they SUCK. I put the Elite 3's on yesterday and now have about 200 miles on them. I did 60 miles as soon as they were installed and I can definitely tell a difference. Right off the bat, no more tracking in rain groves on the road. Having ridden bikes for the last 40 years and having had many different bikes with different types of tires I feel pretty confident stating I am very pleased with the Elite 3's. You are right they are made of harder rubber. You are also right the about the tread wander - compared to other tires I have experience with there is no tread wander. I have not experienced - in the 200 miles since yesterday - any lock up or barking of the rear tire. The shop that sold me the tires stated realistically I should expect 15K - 17K the very best around 20K. I would be happy with 15K life on the tires. Again, and I tell everyone including the southeast region Harley Rep that the OEM Harley - Dunlop tires on 2007 bikes SUCK. Surprisingly, she agreed.
As I stated in my previous post, the E3's won't wander like stock but does this really mean they handle better like many claim? I would say that they handle differently. The only reason they don't wander is the tread pattern, but I can't tell any single difference in "handling", which in my opinion would be the tire's ability to maintain traction in curve or in the rain, etc. For the way I ride, I consider higher milage and the stability in rain grooves to be a good trade off versus some other softer lower milage tires. Really, wouldn't the best handling tires be something very soft and with no tread at all so as to maintain maximum surface contact with the road?
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