Elite 3 experiment complete

[97flhtcui]

Well I tryed em and are going back to the 402's for my Ultra.
Only got 6,238 miles on my back tire. Front still looks new. I would get between 10k to 12k on my 402's. They rode good until a month ago the started following every nook and cranny in the road.

[trooper113]

I ride easy, watch my air pressure and got about 5,800 miles on my OEM Dunlop rear tire on my Ultra. My front OEM will go about 12,000. My replacement rear E3 has about 5,000 miles on it and looks good. I guess, literally, your mileage may vary.

[petrock]

Originally Posted by trooper113

I ride easy, watch my air pressure and got about 5,800 miles on my OEM Dunlop rear tire on my Ultra. My front OEM will go about 12,000. My replacement rear E3 has about 5,000 miles on it and looks good. I guess, literally, your mileage may vary.

I'd check your suspension. Sounds like your bike is overloaded in the rear. Tightening up your suspension might clear that up and get you better milage on your tires. Or go on a diet.

[Ed Y]

Something wrong with that scenario. I consistently get 12,000 to 14,000 miles out of the rear Elite 3 on my EG and I'm on the 4th one. Front will go 25,000-30,000 miles. And I pull a trailer on all my trips.

Air pressure, bike setup, terrible roads or riding habits??????

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by petrock

I'd check your suspension. Sounds like your bike is overloaded in the rear. Tightening up your suspension might clear that up and get you better milage on your tires. Or go on a diet.

I weigh about 210, ride one up almost always, don't carry a lot of stuff in my Ultra, ride easy and religiously watch my tire air pressure. I try to keep about 8 pounds of air in my shocks. The indy that replaced my tire said they'd seen a few OEM tires wear like my tire did, but not many. Like I said, my E3 looks good at nearly the same mileage and riding conditions that I replaced my OEM tire.

I contacted Dunlop about the tire and received a little advertising leaflet. Big help.

[petrock]

Originally Posted by trooper113

religiously watch my tire air pressure.

But is it the proper air pressure? I usually go about 10% over what the book/manufacturer recommends without exceeding the max pressure listed on the tire.

Originally Posted by trooper113

I try to keep about 8 pounds of air in my shocks.

Is your bike lowered? If you look at the frame rails under the bike are them level with the ground when your not on it? How about when you are on it? It should be relatively balanced either way.

[mbkodiak]

Originally Posted by trooper113

I ride easy, watch my air pressure and got about 5,800 miles on my OEM Dunlop rear tire on my Ultra. My front OEM will go about 12,000. My replacement rear E3 has about 5,000 miles on it and looks good. I guess, literally, your mileage may vary.

I've consistently got over 10k on every rear tire. Metz 880 was the worst right at 10k. OEM 402's anywhere from 12-15k and that's a lot of 2 up. Front tire lasts more than 2 rear tires, but I always change it every other rear tire. Just put E3's on 4k ago and they are looking good. I don't always ride easy either.

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by petrock

But is it the proper air pressure? I usually go about 10% over what the book/manufacturer recommends without exceeding the max pressure listed on the tire.


Is your bike lowered? If you look at the frame rails under the bike are them level with the ground when your not on it? How about when you are on it? It should be relatively balanced either way.

I run 36 front, 38-40 rear (single-light passenger) and check it often.....never have to add more than a pound.

Re: air shocks....I was going by what I recall the manual saying for the load carried. I don't know about how it looks with me on and off the bike. Will have someone look.

The roads I ride most often might have something to do with it...rolled oil and chip.

[PosseRider]

Anyone know the pressure recommended for the Michelin Commanders? I emailed Michelin but so far no response.

[Ed Y]

Originally Posted by PosseRider

Anyone know the pressure recommended for the Michelin Commanders? I emailed Michelin but so far no response.

AS far as I know, it's the same as Dunlop 402's. HD hasn't changed the 08 manuals to say any different for each type of tire.

[PosseRider]

Yeah, but like with the Metz they have a much higher pressure but the dealers ignore it or dont know. Also a buddy would like to know the pressures for the Avon Venoms.

[Dyna_Willie]

The Dunlop's have always been good to me, I used them throughout my motocross racing years, and on my street sleds. That is even with some really abstract riding styles.

[06roadglide]

A buddy of mine replaced his rear E3 at almost 18,000 miles on his Road Glide.

I have them on my 78 FLH with about 7000 miles on them and they still look new.