Not Impressed With My E3's
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: MA
Not Impressed With My E3's
I got about 12K on the set and to be quite honest, I really haven't experienced any noticeable difference in handling, braking or overall performance with them over the stock Dunlop 402's.
I have 50K on D402's and the wear and handling have been great. No one can tell me that they are a poor performing tire. I have put them thru all kinds of conditions including 80 mph in a down pour 2 up and fully loaded. I know, not a smart thing to do but the situation warranted it, but that is another story.
Anyway, I heard raves about the E3's and their superior handling over grated bridges and tar snakes. C'mon, how many grated bridges do we actually ride over and how long is the ride? As for the tar snakes, I don't recall them being an issue when riding in dry conditions, but let's face it, a wet tar snake is still a wet tar snake and I found myself slipping on these with both sets of tires. Neither the 402's or the E3's were exceptional on wet tar snakes.
Now almost from the start with the E3's I got a howling sound from the front tire, especially when cornering. I figured I could live with it, but lately with 12K on them the howling is incredible. Even mama commented on the noise and she is hearing impaired. I will run these until they need to be replaced but I will probably be going back to the stock 402's. They have been a good tire IMO. The E3's just don't impress me.
I have 50K on D402's and the wear and handling have been great. No one can tell me that they are a poor performing tire. I have put them thru all kinds of conditions including 80 mph in a down pour 2 up and fully loaded. I know, not a smart thing to do but the situation warranted it, but that is another story.
Anyway, I heard raves about the E3's and their superior handling over grated bridges and tar snakes. C'mon, how many grated bridges do we actually ride over and how long is the ride? As for the tar snakes, I don't recall them being an issue when riding in dry conditions, but let's face it, a wet tar snake is still a wet tar snake and I found myself slipping on these with both sets of tires. Neither the 402's or the E3's were exceptional on wet tar snakes.
Now almost from the start with the E3's I got a howling sound from the front tire, especially when cornering. I figured I could live with it, but lately with 12K on them the howling is incredible. Even mama commented on the noise and she is hearing impaired. I will run these until they need to be replaced but I will probably be going back to the stock 402's. They have been a good tire IMO. The E3's just don't impress me.
Last edited by soos; Aug 18, 2012 at 02:28 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 554
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From: Oxford, Mississippi
Soos, I am on my second E3 rear, got 12K on 1st one, have 5K on this one and have 17K on the front. I rate performance at least equal to the D402s and mileage on rears has been about 3K better. I got 26K on the original front 402, so I don't expect to better that.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: MA
I see that I did forget to mention that the wear on the E3's at 12K is very good, but I did get 15K out of my 402 rear on average and nearly twice that on the front. Right now it's the noise factor that is really bugging me.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 4
From: Oxford, Mississippi
I do a lot of 2 up riding and went through 3 D402 rears in 26K, so the 12K on the E3 was a big improvement for me. I have no noise issues with the tires at all, cannot imagine what that could be. Good luck with it.
P.S. Still love my SOOS floorboard extenders!!
P.S. Still love my SOOS floorboard extenders!!
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
Just changed my 402 out in the rear of my 02' Ultra to a Michelin Commander. What a difference in smoothness and traction! Especially wet conditions. They say double miles also. I will be changing the front next week.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: earth
5 years ago, really? Were they even available for HDs 5 years ago? I love 'em; handling, wear, price, can't beat 'em.
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Outstanding HDF Member
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E3s have been around for years. The American Elite just came out a couple years ago. Maybe you are confusing the two.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: earth
No confusion here, Elites don't work on my sled. E3s were available for metrics for years, I don't know when they came out for HDs but it wasn't that long ago.