Dunlop Elite 3's
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
08 Road King, front and rear E3s installed at 30,000 miles. For about 8000 miles there was no reaction to strips and seams on the road, now there is very little reaction, but it is there. They have been smooth and quiet, traction is no worse than the factory D402s, I don't ride to the limit, can get too expensive in parts and skin.
They seem to be wearing very well, the rear D402 would be noticeably worn by this time and would whine in turns after 7500 miles of wear. Thinking back, these tires seem to be better at the 10,000 mile point than the factory D402s were at 5000 miles. Still very happy. My experience is that the super straight, un influenced by seams, channels or other road irregularities lasted for about 8000 miles, the reaction to those irregularities is minimal now. There is a direct replacement size for the front tire, but not an exact replacement for the rear. The E3 tire is within a couple of millimeters of the same width measured bead to bead and is of no consequence for either handling or rubbing. Be sure to get the rear tire that has about 10 pounds greater weight carrying certification than the stock D402 especially if you do much 2 up riding. I have no knowledge of what is available for the newer machines with the wider rear tires. So far, they are the best, most long lasting tires I've ever had on 2 wheeler in touring use.
They seem to be wearing very well, the rear D402 would be noticeably worn by this time and would whine in turns after 7500 miles of wear. Thinking back, these tires seem to be better at the 10,000 mile point than the factory D402s were at 5000 miles. Still very happy. My experience is that the super straight, un influenced by seams, channels or other road irregularities lasted for about 8000 miles, the reaction to those irregularities is minimal now. There is a direct replacement size for the front tire, but not an exact replacement for the rear. The E3 tire is within a couple of millimeters of the same width measured bead to bead and is of no consequence for either handling or rubbing. Be sure to get the rear tire that has about 10 pounds greater weight carrying certification than the stock D402 especially if you do much 2 up riding. I have no knowledge of what is available for the newer machines with the wider rear tires. So far, they are the best, most long lasting tires I've ever had on 2 wheeler in touring use.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 9
From: Northwest Arkansas
mu90b-16 (78h)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
OK thanks. I don't want to go narrower. I know some have run the wider 160 width, but some have had rubbing issues also. I may just go with my first choice of Metzeler's in the MU85HB-16 size.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Woodbine, GA
402 and e-3
I have an 06 FLHX with 28,000 and I want to go with e-3's, but I put a new 402 on 6 months ago, but I need a front for the first time, can I run a e-3 up front until the rear needs replacing? That is 402 in the rear and e-3 in front until I replace the rear. Will it be safe? Want to get my $ worth from the 402.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 5
From: Hickory, NC
The Dunlop D402s are crap. I was replacing the rear every 7000 miles on my '01 Fatboy.
I tried a Metzler ME880 with no better results.
I have a Dunlop Elite 3 on the rear now and I'm very happy with it. When the front comes up to be replaced, I'll put an Elite 3 on the front.
I tried a Metzler ME880 with no better results.
I have a Dunlop Elite 3 on the rear now and I'm very happy with it. When the front comes up to be replaced, I'll put an Elite 3 on the front.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
I've run two sets of E3's on the front. The first tire was a MT90/16 and it made alot of noise at 50 to 60 MPH, after 5000 miles it would bounce at 65 to 70 MPH, and it did not last as long as the original. When I replaced it the tire had several spots worn to the wear bars and other areas with plenty of tread. I used Dyna beads to balance my tires. The second E3 on the front is a 150/80/16. I lined up the dot with the valve stem and used no beads or balancing and the bike is smooth as silk at all speeds.
Out of the 5 E3's I've used I'm very satisfied with all but 1 tire and I believe it to be defective. I guess that is the price you pay when you buy off of the net and install them yourself.
I like the look of the wider E3's front and back on my bike.