Wise words from an "indy"
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Vandergrift,Pa
Wise words from an "indy"
Just had my new Dunlop Elite 3's mounted yesterday by a very reputable and honest independent mechanic. I was telling him my reasons for selecting those tires according to recommendations from this forum. He had heard conflicting reports through the years about different users getting different mileage from the same tires. He honestly believes that Dunlop had changed their rubber compound formula since these tires first came out which explains why everyone was getting 12-15,000 miles on a set when they first came out and the latest ones are good for 6-7,000 miles.Bottom line is,they were lasting too long and Dunlop was missing out on all that money they could have been making. Who can we trust anymore?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 751
Likes: 3
From: Monterey, Louisiana
The solfter the compound the better it grips the road is what I've always heard. Yes they may have changed the formula, but it could be for a different reason other than just to make the life span shorter.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Putnam County, NY
You can see the treadwear rating on the sidewall - quick way to see if they changed the formula. As said above, a softer compound will wear faster, but will have more grip. Harder compounds last longer but at the cost of traction.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 8
From: California
Wise words...don't think so. The compound may have changed, we do not know, but I am sure anything Dunlop has done and is doing is for the betterment of the product. Mileage is subjective to each rider and conditions. Trust me, if Dunlop made tires that got really bad mileage just to make an extra buck they would not have much of a following. I got around 12/15k miles on my Dunlop's. I am happy!
I am on my 3rd set and sure like them..Rain,paint lines,bad pavement and those Funky bridges those tires are right there..Yea they may have cupping issues at 12,000 miles but sure beats changing tires at 4-5,000 miles ..
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
I have 7k on my OEM Dunlops...had my 5k service done last month and dealer said I still had plently of life left on both tires. When its time to change em the American Elites will be going on. So far I have no complaints.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
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From: San Antonio, Texas
I typically get about 15k from the stock Dunlop 402's but they are a harder compound and rain riding is a little scary, at least to me. I might try the Elites next change - I can live with 12k if they grip better all around. I can't live with 5k - that's ridiculous.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Funny, I got 12k out of my original tire. Replaced with the same Dunlop (model and size), I now have 16k on the tire with plenty of tread left. I am sure it will go a few thousand more.