Elite 3 tire dilemma
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 80
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From: Atlanta, GA
I have 21,000 on my front E3 and will replace it at 25,000, I probally could get more but have a new E3 now sitting in my garage. My rear E3 only has about 9,000 but still looks great & should easily last the whole season unless road debris gets it. I am running 40 PSI rear and 38 PSI front on my 98 RK.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Bob, I remember you said you installed taller rear shocks. I don't know much about how it would effect front tire mileage, but I have a lowered front end and standard height rear and was wondering if it could cause things like this to happen.
A higher rear end may shift weight to the front and give you poorer tire mileage. If this is true there would be less weight on the rear and give you better tire mileage on the rear.
A higher rear end may shift weight to the front and give you poorer tire mileage. If this is true there would be less weight on the rear and give you better tire mileage on the rear.
I think I'll order another E3 front, but this one I'll keep at 40# like the rear, and will probably pump the rear up to 42# cold. I'm going to wait a bit, though, just in case more good ideas come from this thread.
Last edited by iclick; Mar 29, 2011 at 09:45 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 36
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iclick, what size E3 are you running on the rear of your 07 SG?
My 07 Road King specifies a rear tire size of MU85HB-16. When looking at Dunlop E3s, all I see is the MU90HB-16. The Dunlop 402 is available in the MU85HB-16.
My 07 Road King specifies a rear tire size of MU85HB-16. When looking at Dunlop E3s, all I see is the MU90HB-16. The Dunlop 402 is available in the MU85HB-16.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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From: Kutztown, Pa
E3's are the only thing I've ever used on my GW. Still have them on. My RKC came with D402's. I changed the rear tire to a Metzler 880 and caught a piece of metal dead center in the middle of the tire. DAMN! Back to Dunlops.
I'm glad they still seem to work great on the HD's. I always like the tires.
I'm glad they still seem to work great on the HD's. I always like the tires.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
I think I'm going to stay with the E3 for my next front tire. I've decided that my mileage issues may be at least partially tied to prioritizing the front brakes and using both front and rear only for hard stops. Also, I'll probably bump the pressure up to 40 psi cold for the front and go to 42 psi rear.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Roswell, NM
I'll stick with Avon Venoms, 10k and still got 6/32 on both. Can't beat the ride for smoothness and cornering. JMO, besides I keep good rubber on no matter what milege, that's not my main concern is how many miles I get out of a tire.
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Joe Kucinski
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From: East Coast
I'm one of the most enthusiastic cheerleaders for the Elite 3 tire for older bikes ('08 and earlier), but I now have one concern. Whereas my rear tires have been wearing very well indeed, 20k on my first and my second wearing at the same rate, the first E3 front is shot at only 18k miles. WTF? I always got 25-35k out of D402's, but 18k is not acceptable. I've always kept pressure at 37# cold on the front, 40# on the rear. Who would've thought a rear tire of the same model would outlast a front on a Harley!? It just doesn't make sense.
I'm now wondering if I shouldn't replace the E3 front with a D402, which is something I thought I would never do. OTOH I don't like the groove tracking of the D402 and it's almost worth the lower mileage to be without it with an E3. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I may go back to the E3 rear, D402 front arrangement I ran before the present pairing.
Anyone else run into this dilemma?
I'm now wondering if I shouldn't replace the E3 front with a D402, which is something I thought I would never do. OTOH I don't like the groove tracking of the D402 and it's almost worth the lower mileage to be without it with an E3. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I may go back to the E3 rear, D402 front arrangement I ran before the present pairing.
Anyone else run into this dilemma?
Check the tire pressures again. I assume from the mileage figures you're getting that you're running helium at 100 p.s.i....
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
I've used only the MU90-16 and it fits perfect. It's .01" taller and .06" wider than the stock MU85-16's.