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E3 radials or bias?

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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 04:40 PM
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Default E3 radials or bias?
I'm looking to move from the stock Dunlop 407s to the E3's that everyone seems to rave about. In looking at them on Dunlop's website I see they come in bias-ply and radial and I know these can be mixed. Which do folks find are best for mileage and road grip? I'm leaning toward the radials as the sizes are a closer match for my '09 RG where I would choose a 130/70R18 front + 180/70R16 rear (knowing that I'll need to swap my 17" front rim for an 18").
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 06:10 PM
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bias-ply - higher loads also
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 06:17 PM
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Bias. If I am not mistaken, radials are only for metric bikes?? I had the the bias version and they were outstanding. You won't be sorry. Make sure you change them both. Don't mix and match.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 06:57 PM
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OK - bias. If that's the case, the closest match would be the 130/70-18 up-front and the 160/80B16 in the rear. This rear tire would be a full 1.4" narrower than my current 180/65B16. See any issues with that? I kinda like the current wider rear tire.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 08:28 PM
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If you can hang in there a while I believe there's a new E3 that's coming for your bike.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 08:32 PM
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From what I have read looks like the bias ply. But nvsteve is on to something???
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by nvsteve
If you can hang in there a while I believe there's a new E3 that's coming for your bike.
That's news to me. I even exchanged some e-mail with Dunlop last year and they said they have no plans to introduce E3s for the '09 touring line. Has some reliable source reported this has changed?
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 08:39 PM
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Looks like we are going to have more tire options soon. I noticed Metzler is coming out with the correct sizes for the 09-10 in their 880's.

and here is another option that I found today. This site looks like they already stock them but some sites say coming soon. American Elite.

http://www.sporttour.com/tires/dunlo...ican-elite.htm
Mike
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 08:40 PM
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It's gonna be called American Elite or something like this....You can mix and match bi\as and radials...no problem....Use the ones that fits.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Notgrownup
It's gonna be called American Elite or something like this....You can mix and match bi\as and radials...no problem....Use the ones that fits.
EXCELLENT!! I just found the Dunlop "American Elite" tires on Dunlop's website and the sizes are a direct match for the '09's. I had no idea. Thanks Notgrownup!!!

Here's the link:

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire...ire.asp?id=109
 
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