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I am not sure what to think. I also am about to change tires when I have my 20,000 service done in a week or two. Bike actually has almost 21000 miles on it. Purchased in September 2006 she has original front tire and rear tire was replaced at 10,000 mile service. I am sure I will go with the E3's after reading all these favorable post.
But the 402 did me ok I guess. Maybe because my wife rides her own bike has enabled me to have better mileage.
I been buying Dunlop 402's for years on different models too. Always get about 15000 mi on front and rear, never had an issue with handling. I have about 13000 on my 08 EG and plenty of tread yet, I'll get 15000 easy and probably go with the tried and true. I have my doubts average riders could tell the difference between brand new Dunlops against another brand new similar tire. I'm not talking riders that race. I do think many can feel a difference when they replace their old tires with new, which might make some people say wow, this is a better tire but in acutality, it's because they got brand new rubber under them. Keep your pressure up like someone else said, 40 in the rear, 38 in the front for me, for women a couple pounds less.
Kind of reminds me of people who say they can feel the difference in their motor with what type of oil they use.
Just saying.
Although i agree with you Chuck1 i think the difference is noticeable enough...With 6 or 7 new tires in 24 months i think can remember the way the others felt...3-5 months between a tire change is not that long...All i can say is the WOW factor with the EIII is a bit more than the D402, Venon X, Michelin Commanders. I have rode those 3 tires in the mountains hard, on the interstate and local rodes both solo and 2 up. The steadyness of the EIII is an improvement. I don't know what you do to get that kind of mileage on D402 on a EG but "good for you" i wouldn't want to change if i was in the same scenario but 8000 miles is the max i have ever got on any tires and that is why i went with EIII...I am gonna try it anyway...I have to believe that most of the members here that have tried them are not shooting me that much BS...mybe a little BS as we all do but....
I checked with my dealer today. They are offering a 25% of all harley parts for a winter special. The D402's BW front and back will cost me a little over 202.00 plus install. The e3's are not considered Harley Parts and they will be about 331.00 plus install. I think I can feel that difference in my billfold. Probably will go with the D402's now since I have got good wear out of the ones I have had.
I talked to a guy at Avon, and he said while it's a great tire, it won't last over 8,000. I do a lot of highway riding, and he said if I were you I would get the Metzler 880's. there's a guy giving an honest opinion without trying to sell me something.
I've run Dunlops from the old 181's when the '84 was new to the 402's on the '05 Ultra. Never had a problem with them. However, I heard lots of good stuff about the Metzler 880's on this forum so I gave them a try. My bike is my commuter mule, rain or shine it rolls. My experience with the 880's was that they totally sucked in the rain. I found myself sliding into the opposite side of my lane more than once and decided to pull them off before they were ready to be changed. The front appeared to be dry rotted on the sidewalls. I go through tires rather quickly, the '05 has 57k miles on it so I know it wasn't dryed out from sitting around. I hope you have better luck with the Metzler's than I did. Ride safe.
I checked with my dealer today. They are offering a 25% of all harley parts for a winter special. The D402's BW front and back will cost me a little over 202.00 plus install. The e3's are not considered Harley Parts and they will be about 331.00 plus install. I think I can feel that difference in my billfold. Probably will go with the D402's now since I have got good wear out of the ones I have had.
You can get EIII's deliver to your house for about the same price but if they last twice as long.!!!!!!You do the math... Hey$202.00 for a set of 402's is good so go for it. I had to try the E III's... You bike, your choice though. I don't think anybody if coercing anybody else to switch to any particular brand but there are a lot of good reasons to maybe try.
2008 Ultra, ridden 3 outa5 times two-up. Stock 402's with 13,600 miles and will easily make it to 15K on the rear before replacements. Front has a bit more left. I'll go with the wide whitewalls next time in the 402 series.
Although i agree with you Chuck1 i think the difference is noticeable enough...With 6 or 7 new tires in 24 months i think can remember the way the others felt...3-5 months between a tire change is not that long...All i can say is the WOW factor with the EIII is a bit more than the D402, Venon X, Michelin Commanders. I have rode those 3 tires in the mountains hard, on the interstate and local rodes both solo and 2 up. The steadyness of the EIII is an improvement. I don't know what you do to get that kind of mileage on D402 on a EG but "good for you" i wouldn't want to change if i was in the same scenario but 8000 miles is the max i have ever got on any tires and that is why i went with EIII...I am gonna try it anyway...I have to believe that most of the members here that have tried them are not shooting me that much BS...mybe a little BS as we all do but....
Yes, I wouldn't consider you in the most riders catagory, if you are changing tires that often and ride hard on mountain roads. As far as getting good mileage on 402's, I don't ride two up much, wife has her own, but keeping the pressure higher and checking often like I mentioned above I think is the main reason. If it wasn't for me, my wifes tires would always be a bit underinflated.
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