A tire thread?? : )

[trbig]

I'm about to put some miles on the bike and thought I only had maybe a thousand miles or so on the Shinko 712, but looking at my records, I've got over 3k. It won't make the trip I'm about to go on and I don't have another Shinko at the moment to use. I got a "New" Elite 3 set of tires when I bought this last bike. Date stamp says 2008 manufactured. I know the "5 year rule" but am going to run it anyway.

So.. to my point of the thread. I used to run the Elite 3 tires on the rear. When they first came out, I would get 14-16,000 miles out of a rear. Bob, from Tulsa got even more than that. Then they started going down in mileage to where the last couple I bought only got 8-9k miles. They are a dual compound tire with harder center and soft edges, and it seemed as if the soft went all the way out to the center after a while. My question is for those that have run an Elite 3 rear lately that puts enough miles on to wear one out in a couple years. Have any they have made recently gone back to wearing a long time? I'm hoping this 2008 model was still back when they were good.

I think it's still cheaper by mile to use the 712's, (Even if I can get over 14k out of one of the Dunlops) and that keeps fresh rubber on, but with all the trips I take, I keep having to get take off a tire with at least a couple thousand left on it. It gets put to the side to use later.. but invariably, I never put a used one back on since new is so cheap on the Shinkos. In case you didn't know, I change/balance my own tires, so that cost doesn't play into things.

Anyway.. Long winded version of asking if Dunlop Elite 3 has gotten any better?

[motoman]

Hi Tod,
NA for my Venturer, but associated with your wear question, was told a few years back by a purchaser for local dealership that majority of bike tire manufacturers have moved what was the outer portion and bit softer compounds to center portion of tire with even a more softer compound outer area. Of course justified in the name of safety and better adhesion. Having two different stylings of bikes, with totally different tire configurations(radial/bias/), my findings on tire wear over the decades is similar to yours, even using repeated same brand/configuration. My rear tires on both went from the 10K+mi. to 6-8Kmi. Got us over a barrel so the speak. I'm sure this contributes to many going to the 'dark-side' on there Wings, Vaulks, ST1300's and such, having the bit wider wheel to do so. The trade off in part I'm sure would be the 30+Kmi. grin from great tire wear.

Aside from that, would'nt get your hopes up for any future gains in wear mileage.......from any manufacturer.

[BA80]

I got about 9K out of my last E3 Tod and that's what I'll be going back with the next tire. This Pirelli I have now isn't holding up very well and it's not very sticky, especially when it's cold.

The tire I had on the rear of The Hornet on the trip to Wisconsin last year was at least 6 years old, maybe more I don't recall. It did fine but those miles used it up.

[Brent]

no more E-3 for me

I have been running Dunlop E-3 on the rear of my XS11 and on my Harley road king for years & many miles. Extra mileage was what I was looking for. It has been a little more than other tires for me, but not as much as I hoped for. Not worth much extra cost, which has also increased dramatically.

My issue/complaint is how easy they slide on wet pavement when braking or downshifting. Slipping while accelerating or when leaned over has not been a problem for me, but I am not satisfied with the wet weather performance. When straight up & slowing, it seems that tread patern channels H2O to center where there is no tread. Wildcat saw a demonstration of this near Hot Springs, AR. JeffH and Ted saw a dramatic demonstration :0 of it in FL near Daytona Beach this winter. I will continue to use up what I have, but I sure will try not to skid the back tire on wet pavement again.

Next rear tires for me will have more tread in center. Likely Dunlop 402. Dunlop 404 tread looks the same, costs less, but the sidewalls are much thinner and flexible...good for light bike and for mounting with tubes. HD will get the stiffer sidewall tire. Metzler and Michelin have good tires. I like Avon on the front - Sticky, but short life on rear.

And no more Cheng shins either.

[jetmechmarty]

This Pirelli I have now isn't holding up very well and it's not very sticky, especially when it's cold.

Which Pirelli is it?

[Brent]

I see the tread pattern on the new Dunlop American elite is slightly changed from the old E-3 pattern... Much more tread in the center.