Ride an 05 FLHRCI (road king classic) First rear wide white wall Dunlop lasted 12,980 miles, second (dunlop again) lasted 14,162 miles. Switched to WWW Metzler Marathon ME 880s, this rear is bald at 14,800. Not much better than the Dunlops. I know some of you will say I'm getting great mileage. It's getting to my pocket book and nerves spending 200ish every two years for a rear tire. Anybody who rides a Road King who weighs in over 210lbs getting better miles on a rear tire than myself? I like the wide white wall look and I do spend 35.00 more for that look. But I'd be willing to go to a blackwall if I can get 18- 20k miles from the rear tire. Thanks

 

Well, I don't know how u guys get that mileage on your tires. I have 19+K on my bike and I changed my rear tire 3 times. And I use police tires, which suppose to last a bit longer than regular...

 

there is a new tire coming out, Michelin Commander 2 might want to check it out.

 

i was using a dunlop elite 3 on my 07 road king. it had over 19,000 miles on it when i traded the bike in and still had a lot of tread left.

 

What is the difference between the Elite 3, and the American Elite ?

 

Remember the trade off.
The longer it lasts the harder the rubber is the less grip it gives.


The softer the rubber the better it grips the faster it wears out.
There is a balance in the middle.....probably what your running now.

 

You are getting SUPERB life from your tires...Especially in the tire melting heat of Phoenix.

You may have better luck with the Dunlop E3, as they are typically outliving almost every other brand for touring, but alas, they are blackwall only tires.

Given that you can ride year 'round, $8.00 a month for tire wear, ain't a bad shake. There are guys out there right now replacing stock Dunlop 402's at 6000-8000 mile intervals.


.

 

sizes, and tread pattern. the elite 3 will fit the older (pre frame change) bikes and not the newer 'fat tire' bikes. the american elite was made specifically for those. unfortunately, they dont make an american elite in an 18 inch (yet)


while that is typically true, and a good rule of thumb, it doesn't seem to hold true when talking about the dunlop e3s. they have been found to have excellent wet/dry performance, and also very good life.

and yeah, i forgot to mention, only available in blackwall. but you did mention that you would consider a blackwall if the performance/price/life was right. at a little over $125, i think you would be happy with this tire.

 

+ 1 a new Michelin Commander 2 coming soon

 

I have the elite 3s on my 07 electra glide classic. After 17k on the rear, I am putting on new rubber.

I was changing the 402 on the rear every season (roughly 7k) before I got the e3s. That lasted 2 seasons and it still has a little tread on it. Probably enough to go 1/2 this season.

They ride good, wet or dry, and they reduce tar snake jitters and singing bridge wobbles.

That's my .02