Dunlop Elite III's
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
You guys are killing me here. I just picked up my ultra Yesterday from 20,000 mile service. Actually 21229 miles on front tire and 11550 on rear tire. Replaced both tires with 402's. Dealer has a special running 25% off all Harley parts including Dunlop tires and free tire installation. The e3's did not qualify as HD OEM products. I guess I will try them next tire change. By the way took my bike in Thursday afternoon at 2:30PM told them I would like to ride Saturday and they called me at 9:38 AM Friday and had it all done. I really appreciate my dealer for their quick response.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I HAVE THE E3 AND DON'T LIKE THEM.
Tires look good. very hard compound = longer life. Harder compound = less traction. they do not chase the lines in the road but I did get a tail wag after installing them. Harder compound and less rain groves on tire = less traction in rain. I did experience hydro plaining. Crossing the white lines in cross walks, in rain, is very slippery and scary. I live in Fl and have a lot of experience with them during the rainy season.
Tires look good. very hard compound = longer life. Harder compound = less traction. they do not chase the lines in the road but I did get a tail wag after installing them. Harder compound and less rain groves on tire = less traction in rain. I did experience hydro plaining. Crossing the white lines in cross walks, in rain, is very slippery and scary. I live in Fl and have a lot of experience with them during the rainy season.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Death Valley, Arizona
402s
I ran up 13,600 miles on my OEM 402 rear tire, I could have pushed it for more.The tire was down to the wear bars and the last ride I was on with the tire in that condition I ran through some heavy rain and had no problems I think the 402s are a good tire. I have had no issues with the 402s my tire guy told me most of the complaints about the E-IIIs are no mileage out of the tire & nobody likes them in the rain & most of the E-IIIs he sells are to Gold-Wing owners.I'll stay with the 402s.
Last edited by kmvallee; Feb 2, 2012 at 09:49 PM. Reason: ?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
I have read a lot about the EIIIs but still can't seem to go in that direction. I have to agree with duffy11s comments and the advice of a friend that ran a set on his wing. They have considerably less rain groves, and as stated by the winger, DO hydroplane at speed in heavy rain. I'm a all-weather rider and pack on the miles. The only change I made was going to the MU85 on the rear. My front is pushing 30k and the 85 on the rear just rolled over 13K (tire was put on in July) and I am not on the wear indicators yet. No, I don't putt around. I can eek out 200+ miles to the tank but with my need for speed really only average 165. I will say that the winger is impressed with the handling in the dry and wear, but like him, I also want the best traction in the wet. So I will be sticking with my Dunlap's. In my opinion, the best tire for my dally riding rain or shine!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
I ran Metzlers on my '07 SG and was not impressed with their durability. Went to EIIIs and was really pleased. Handled better, lasted longer, didn't hunt. I rode more in the rain the summer of '08 than I ever had and the wet traction was excellent. As for the lack of rain groves, the tread pattern on EIIIs is very similar to the 880s that everyone on here raved about. The key to wet traction and rain grooves is getting the water out the side of the tire not trapping it under or pushing it out the front. Look at the rain tires that road racers run. They have few rain grooves but the ones they have are angled to the side and towards the rear (ie...EIIIs). I highly recommend EIIIs to anyone getting ready to do a tire change.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I HAVE THE E3 AND DON'T LIKE THEM.
Tires look good. very hard compound = longer life. Harder compound = less traction. they do not chase the lines in the road but I did get a tail wag after installing them. Harder compound and less rain groves on tire = less traction in rain. I did experience hydro plaining. Crossing the white lines in cross walks, in rain, is very slippery and scary. I live in Fl and have a lot of experience with them during the rainy season.
Tires look good. very hard compound = longer life. Harder compound = less traction. they do not chase the lines in the road but I did get a tail wag after installing them. Harder compound and less rain groves on tire = less traction in rain. I did experience hydro plaining. Crossing the white lines in cross walks, in rain, is very slippery and scary. I live in Fl and have a lot of experience with them during the rainy season.
As for these tires using a harder tire compound I'm not convinced that they do. A friend of mine is an ME and installed some E3's on his RK. He did some tests (don't ask me about his methodology) and determined that the E3's may actually have a softer compound than the D402's. If so, why then do they last longer? He thinks there is more control over internal motion. All tires create friction while moving through internal movement, the more friction the more heat, and the more heat the faster the wear. Also, IMO since there is more rubber on the road in the center of the tread, that may contribute in some way to better wear.
You're the first person I've read who has commented negatively on the tire's wet traction, including numerous Gold Wing forums where the tire has received almost universal acclaim. Could you explain why you feel that way, maybe relating an experience or two?
Last edited by iclick; Nov 8, 2009 at 11:44 AM.