Dunlop Elite 4 durability

I just returned from a extended ride that lasted 20 days and 7800 miles. Before the ride, even though my current Elite 4's at about 6,000 miles had a lot of tread remaining I made the decision to put on a new pair of tires. I saved the take-offs to reinstall at a later time when the new tires wore out. I rode everyday of the 20 days and I am very satisfied with the performance of the elite 4's. Estimating the amount of tread left on a tire is at best inexact but the rear tire seems to have about 65% to 70% of tread left on it. The front tire as is usual shows even less wear.

The tires handled superbly in virtually all conditions. I have had reservations about the wet weather ability of this tire because the tread is not really very aggressive. I encountered rain on five of the twenty days and the tires performed very well even in very heavy downpours at interstate speeds. The elite 4's also performed excellently on all road conditions including several miles of gravel I encountered because of road construction in Wyoming.

To sum up my feelings The Elite 4 is a very good tire and I plan on continuing to use them in the future.

My F6B also performed superbly and I feel this is the best motorcycle I have ever owned.

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Originally Posted by Az Wingrider

I just returned from a extended ride that lasted 20 days and 7800 miles. Before the ride, even though my current Elite 4's at about 6,000 miles had a lot of tread remaining I made the decision to put on a new pair of tires. I saved the take-offs to reinstall at a later time when the new tires wore out. I rode everyday of the 20 days and I am very satisfied with the performance of the elite 4's. Estimating the amount of tread left on a tire is at best inexact but the rear tire seems to have about 65% to 70% of tread left on it. The front tire as is usual shows even less wear.

The tires handled superbly in virtually all conditions. I have had reservations about the wet weather ability of this tire because the tread is not really very aggressive. I encountered rain on five of the twenty days and the tires performed very well even in very heavy downpours at interstate speeds. The elite 4's also performed excellently on all road conditions including several miles of gravel I encountered because of road construction in Wyoming.

To sum up my feelings The Elite 4 is a very good tire and I plan on continuing to use them in the future.

My F6B also performed superbly and I feel this is the best motorcycle I have ever owned.

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I know Teach concurs with you in every aspect. Others don't...
I'd love to try them when I can swing it.

I had a set of Elite 4s installed just before I left for Washington D.C. for Rolling Thunder. Heavy rain and windy on the interstate in PA, and grooved pavement, metal grates and tar snakes didn't bother the ride at all. So far these are the best tires I have had on any bike I have owned. I am happy with my purchase. Hopefully the mileage claims as advertised are realistic. I run 40 cold psi front and rear.

I run 41 front and 43 rear. On this trip I added air in small increments twice and let air out one time. I am sure the pressure fluctuation was do to temperature and altitude differences. I check my tires every morning before I start the days ride. I have never had a rear tire that I was comfortable with past 14,000 miles but I am hoping to do significantly better with the Elite 4's. The heat in Arizona where I live and do a lot of my riding is very hard on tires so if a tire lasts here it should do well elsewhere.

As I said before I am very satisfied with the performance of these tires under all circumstances and road conditions, and they seem to be wearing like iron. I will buy them again.

Going on 19,000 miles on my E4s....
They still look REALLY good.

40F/41R

Cheers,
Steve

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Originally Posted by Az Wingrider

I run 41 front and 43 rear. On this trip I added air in small increments twice and let air out one time. I am sure the pressure fluctuation was do to temperature and altitude differences. I check my tires every morning before I start the days ride. I have never had a rear tire that I was comfortable with past 14,000 miles but I am hoping to do significantly better with the Elite 4's. The heat in Arizona where I live and do a lot of my riding is very hard on tires so if a tire lasts here it should do well elsewhere.

As I said before I am very satisfied with the performance of these tires under all circumstances and road conditions, and they seem to be wearing like iron. I will buy them again.

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If I run 41 front and 43 rear my bike rides like a truck and the front end dances all over the place...I weigh about 198lbs, ride by myself with no luggage and with 38/39 front and 40/41 rear the bike rides fine and is much smoother on the roads...I have about 3500 miles on my E-4's and they still look like new.....Ride safe

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Originally Posted by 53driver

Going on 19,000 miles on my E4s....
They still look REALLY good.

40F/41R

Cheers,
Steve

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If I get that kind of mileage out of these tires I am going to be very happy. Looking good so far

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Originally Posted by Az Wingrider

If I get that kind of mileage out of these tires I am going to be very happy. Looking good so far

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Got 18,000 out of my OEM stones, and then another 18,000 out their OEM Stone replacements.

The key is keeping the tire pressures where they need to be.
Cheers,
Steve

I have about 5000 km on the front running 40psi and I just put the new one on the back running 41psi. So far I love them. The front tire handles the groves and tire snakes much better. The rear tire seems to sit a tiny bit higher than the oem tire. I just hope I get the mileage out of them that everyone has been talking about.
The tire seems to be built more solid than the Bridgestone, that was quite noticeable before I installed it.
next Friday I leave for Maggie Valley so I will for sure put it to the test.
Ride safe

I just found out that my stock tire is about shot after 6,900 miles. After reading through this thread it seems like the Dunlap Elite 4 is a good combination of tread life and traction.

I need to pull the trigger on a tire soon because of a up coming trip, is this Dunlap the preferred sneaker for the the goldWings?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 53driver

Got 18,000 out of my OEM stones, and then another 18,000 out their OEM Stone replacements.

The key is keeping the tire pressures where they need to be.
Cheers,
Steve

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I'm pretty religious about my tire pressure and the best I did on three sets of Bridgestones was 9500 miles.:icon_rolleyes:

I just completed a 2500 mile trip in 4 days, combination of both highway and twisties, we weren't hanging around and the rear elite 4 didn't miss a beat and doesn't look that worn, I'm currently running an elite 3 on the front, which I'll be replacing shortly for the elite 4

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Originally Posted by Hodgey1

I just found out that my stock tire is about shot after 6,900 miles. After reading through this thread it seems like the Dunlap Elite 4 is a good combination of tread life and traction.

I need to pull the trigger on a tire soon because of a up coming trip, is this Dunlap the preferred sneaker for the the goldWings?

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Preferred? Hmm. Ask 10 GW riders what's the best tire and you'll get 13 answers...

I've only had the 'Stones and the E4s.
I like them both.
I like the Stones better in rain and puddles.
I like the E4s better for hot tarmac and tar snakes.
The E4 dual compound should last longer for people who ride straight a lot.

To some? It depends which marque is on sale.
Either way you cannot go wrong.
Cheers,
Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 53driver

Either way you cannot go wrong.
Cheers,
Steve

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Thanks for the input everyone. I placed an order today for new front and rear Elite 4's.

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Originally Posted by Hodgey1

Thanks for the input everyone. I placed an order today for new front and rear Elite 4's.

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You will be quite happy with the E-4's I am sure...Tire questions, oil opinions, seat choices, windshield options, all open a huge "can of worms" and everyone has their own ideas and thoughts...Do what your inspired to do and all will be well...Ride safe...

So some have wanted to know about durability. Well Just right at about 9k mikes on this rear. I was changing the oil and thought I should look at my reat tire. Man this just sort of snuck up on me. I was getting ready to head out early in the morning on a spur of the moment trip to TN. Now I'll be heading into my Honda Dealer to see if Ray can get me real quick. Notice I didn't get any better mileage from this rear than I got from the Bridgestones, but it did wear more on the sides than the center.



http://i.imgur.com/ObHpgAx.jpg

Yup, that tire is finished. I'm due for new tires, again this summer, and read all the reviews of the E-4s on Dennis Kirk cycle parts. Some were okay, but many had comments that I didn't care for. Probably will stick with the Stones. Any NEW front tire will handle tar snakes better than the worn out tire that is being replaced. Well, I'm sure the E4 is a good alternative to the Stone, probably can't go wrong with either.

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Originally Posted by Jimmytee

So some have wanted to know about durability. Well Just right at about 9k mikes on this rear. I was changing the oil and thought I should look at my reat tire. Man this just sort of snuck up on me. I was getting ready to head out early in the morning on a spur of the moment trip to TN. Now I'll be heading into my Honda Dealer to see if Ray can get me real quick. Notice I didn't get any better mileage from this rear than I got from the Bridgestones, but it did wear more on the sides than the center.



http://i.imgur.com/ObHpgAx.jpg

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Jimmy you guys a tough, guess I ride too much like the old man I am.
Besides checking your air check your tI respect too brother.

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Originally Posted by jm21ddd15

Yup, that tire is finished. I'm due for new tires, again this summer, and read all the reviews of the E-4s on Dennis Kirk cycle parts. Some were okay, but many had comments that I didn't care for. Probably will stick with the Stones. Any NEW front tire will handle tar snakes better than the worn out tire that is being replaced. Well, I'm sure the E4 is a good alternative to the Stone, probably can't go wrong with either.

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You know even though the mileage wasn't really different, the E4s did wear better.
I'll also add that this, I put another Elite 4 on the rear yesterday. The front still looks good. My first 3 tire changes with the Bridgestones resulted in both front and rear being replaced. The Bridgestone front tire would have a little more meat,not much, but would also have a fair amount of cupping. So it always got replaced with the rear. I have always bent pretty diligent about my air pressure. I am curious how the wear pattern might have been affected now with my new suspension These tires only saw a couple thousand or so miles with the new suspension.

Op. Ed. to JimmyT's post....

This rear E4 has 19,000 miles.
Unfortunately, lots of highway....not enough twisties.
41 psi cold - always.
Wearing VERY well.
Wish I lived closer to the mountains....

Cheers,
Steve

http://i.imgur.com/xOX68xCh.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/8k9tDShh.jpg

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Originally Posted by 53driver

Op. Ed. to JimmyT's post....

This rear E4 has 19,000 miles.
Unfortunately, lots of highway....not enough twisties.
41 psi cold - always.
Wearing VERY well.
Wish I lived closer to the mountains....

Cheers,
Steve

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41 psi cold is what I also run in my rear tire.:icon_wink:

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Originally Posted by Jimmytee

41 psi cold is what I also run in my rear tire.:icon_wink:

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I knew that.....lol.
Methinks your throttle hand might be a bit quicker on the twist than mine.....:icon_redface: