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Dunlop vs Michelin
- Thread starter bobsguns
- Start date
wichitagreg
New member
I spent six months in the summer of 2016 living in Townsend. I rode that Foothills Parkway nearly every day, on my 2012 Harley or my 2015 Triumph Bonneville. I must say I never noticed any rough road surface but then again I never really looked. I liked riding that road as it was usually not busy and one could meander along or charge the corners depending on the mood.
Once on the Dragon I had two Harleys coming at me, both on my side of the road, and I went between them not by choice by by necessity. That's when I got the Triumph, narrower profile.
Sorry about your poor road mileage on your tires. Once thing to consider, and it's a long shot, is throttle transitions. With a shaft drive, there is no cushion like a Harley belt to help absorb the transition from on the gas to off and vice versa. Those shocks are transmitted directly to the tire.
Ride Safe!
I left Des Moines IA two weeks ago for a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had right at 7,000 miles on a set of Road Smart III tires. I was a bit nervous about leaving home with that many miles on a set of tires. I checked my tires every morning to make sure they were still good. We got home after 2,600 miles of Interstate, 2 lane & BRP miles. The tires still look like they will get another 2000 miles before they will need to be changed.
One characteristic I have noticed on all Dunlop tires that I have run is cupping. After about 5000 miles they sound like a mud and snow tire on a 4 wheel drive truck going down the road.
I have a new set on Continental Road Attack III tires sitting in the garage that I bought with a $60 rebate. I wasn't a fan of the Michelin tires that came on the bike. Always ran Commander II's on my Victory Vision and CCT and had great wear and traction. Can't say that for the sport touring line.
One characteristic I have noticed on all Dunlop tires that I have run is cupping. After about 5000 miles they sound like a mud and snow tire on a 4 wheel drive truck going down the road.
I have a new set on Continental Road Attack III tires sitting in the garage that I bought with a $60 rebate. I wasn't a fan of the Michelin tires that came on the bike. Always ran Commander II's on my Victory Vision and CCT and had great wear and traction. Can't say that for the sport touring line.
ncpbmw1953
Member
These (RA3GT) have been the clear winner on my '16 RT amongst the 4 tires I've had on it: PR4GT (AKA, the CupMaster), Z8 (AKA, the CordKing), Angel GT (AKA, Goes it's own Way---I had the worst time holding lines with this tire out of the bunch). I find absolutely nothing lacking in the RA3: quiet, best grip, best shape retention, freedom from cupping, best in linear grooved pavement, can be fully leaned immediately after installation, and most of all just right for tip in and line holding for me. Wear wise about like the others. I just hope they continue producing them.
Just before my last trip I had the PR4’s changed on my 15RT, they had 7500 miles on them, with plenty of tread left. Being very conservative I had them changed anyway. The dealer that does my tires also does a lot of COP bikes and most are PR4’s even though they cost more than the Dunlop’s
I chose the 4’s again as I had concerns where the Dunlop’s were manufactured (some are China made)
Very happy with the handling quality of the new 4’s, hopefully when next pair are needed the 5gt will be out
I chose the 4’s again as I had concerns where the Dunlop’s were manufactured (some are China made)
Very happy with the handling quality of the new 4’s, hopefully when next pair are needed the 5gt will be out
wichitagreg
New member
Oh, No! My bike is gonna blow up and I'm gonna crash and burn.....( I just bought a used 2016 R1200RT with 49,000 miles on it).
I just went out and checked my tires, the front is a Michelin Road 5, and the back is a Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart II. And I just plugged a nail hole in the tread of the rear. The front was put on between the guy who traded it in and me, so it is basically brand new. The rear still has the nubbies so I'm thinking it is pretty new as well. I'll run them for a while. Running them at 38 and 45 psi, same as I do my HD.
As an aside, I'm getting ready to change the oil to Shell Rotella T6 with a M1-102A Mobil 1 oil filter (M102A filter doesn't fit without bungie cording the tupperware, it's too long by about an inch. Live and learn) and reuse the crush washer. I will surely ruin my motor.
Oh my....
.
I'm and old man who usually rides a big heavy Harley so I don't plan on using near any of the potential of the tires.
But I am curious about mileage...it seems odd that a 600 lb bike can only get 6-10,000 miles on a set when my 900 lb HD can go 15k or more miles. Makes me wish I could get the Dunlop American Elite in the right size.
I just went out and checked my tires, the front is a Michelin Road 5, and the back is a Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart II. And I just plugged a nail hole in the tread of the rear. The front was put on between the guy who traded it in and me, so it is basically brand new. The rear still has the nubbies so I'm thinking it is pretty new as well. I'll run them for a while. Running them at 38 and 45 psi, same as I do my HD.
As an aside, I'm getting ready to change the oil to Shell Rotella T6 with a M1-102A Mobil 1 oil filter (M102A filter doesn't fit without bungie cording the tupperware, it's too long by about an inch. Live and learn) and reuse the crush washer. I will surely ruin my motor.
Oh my....
.I'm and old man who usually rides a big heavy Harley so I don't plan on using near any of the potential of the tires.
But I am curious about mileage...it seems odd that a 600 lb bike can only get 6-10,000 miles on a set when my 900 lb HD can go 15k or more miles. Makes me wish I could get the Dunlop American Elite in the right size.
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ncpbmw1953
Member
If same riders, same roads, it would have to be in the chemistry (softer, grippier rubber) and other design elements of the sport touring tire over whatever type of tire you're using on your HD. I read that some 'go to the Dark Side' (install a car tire on the rear) w/ their RT model and then see mileage up in the 15K area. This begs another question and that is: how many people NEED the sport touring tire which wears out quicker over something less designed for performance and more for longevity. My sense is the vast majority of RT riders will get around 10K out of their tires, so the folks reporting closer to 6K are the exception and that will be secondary to different riding habits (hard acceleration, harder braking essentially), different pavement surfaces and temperatures, etc.
I agree with that. Tires construction and compounds are so much better than two decades ago, when I could lean my bikes over until pegs were scraping and very little left of the chicken strips on the sides of the tires. Yes, even then.. (shock and horror)..
So where has all that improved technology gone? Mileage is not that much better, maybe 30%. Perhaps wet weather performance, which is appreciated, but most of us slow down in the rain, lol. How about some real improvements in longevity for those of us who rarely ride past 7/10th's anymore. Something like an updated Metzeler 880 Marathon that would deliver an honest 18-20K.
You know they can do it, but you know why they don't.. instant loss of revenue.
ncpbmw1953
Member
Do you ride your F8GT much? That was my return to riding bike and I really liked it but it was a little cramped for me. I loved the simple belt drive--so light, efficient, clean, maintenance-free, quiet. The only config that would get me off my '16 RT is a 1000cc in-line 3-4 cylinder/110-115HP/transverse crankshaft w/ belt drive//ABS Pro/and critically important: a fully functioning electric windscreen, all at 520lb or less w/ empty side cases fully fueled, RT-like ergos. I would trade in the RT tomorrow for this, but all brands think you have to have at least 600lbs to warrant a full sized electrically adjustable windscreen. When someone figures out that's not a necessary condition of this lovely comfort attribute they're going to have a winner, especially for aging riders.
I don't lament the milage of todays very good motorcycle tires. I especially like the dual compound tires ( Dunlop and Michelin).
I love how they handle, how they stick in the twisties and how they work in the wet.
I've been riding for long enough to remember that some tires would get 15,000 miles...BUT!!
They where hard rubber, did not stick to the road, dry or especially wet... Scary!
Our bikes today weigh a LOT more than they did 30 40 years ago. A RT today is what 600-640lbs. My old R100RT was about 500lbs.
The horse power and torque are way up too. I suspect we twist the trottler harder too. New RT 125hp old R100RT about 60!
Nope, I'm not complaining about milage.
I love how they handle, how they stick in the twisties and how they work in the wet.
I've been riding for long enough to remember that some tires would get 15,000 miles...BUT!!
They where hard rubber, did not stick to the road, dry or especially wet... Scary!
Our bikes today weigh a LOT more than they did 30 40 years ago. A RT today is what 600-640lbs. My old R100RT was about 500lbs.
The horse power and torque are way up too. I suspect we twist the trottler harder too. New RT 125hp old R100RT about 60!
Nope, I'm not complaining about milage.
OEM tires
I'm running RS 3. I like them. so far the front has not cupped? Have over 7,000 miles with a lot too go. Fr & Rear.
Now for the note on OEM tires. Notice= the tires all my motorcycles came with/mounted on new bike wore longer them the same brand I change out.
Had b-stone run to 14,000 miles still had live left to wear bars.
same with the Mich's PR4's = 2015 RT, rear tire had 14,000 miles went another 1,000. The front was badly cupped, at 7,000. U have to change tire steering is for Crap at low speed.
I'm running RS 3. I like them. so far the front has not cupped? Have over 7,000 miles with a lot too go. Fr & Rear.
Now for the note on OEM tires. Notice= the tires all my motorcycles came with/mounted on new bike wore longer them the same brand I change out.
Had b-stone run to 14,000 miles still had live left to wear bars.
same with the Mich's PR4's = 2015 RT, rear tire had 14,000 miles went another 1,000. The front was badly cupped, at 7,000. U have to change tire steering is for Crap at low speed.
I'm riding the F800GT quite a bit lately as it has been scorching hot here in southern AZ this summer. Last year was more temperate. I prefer the GT to my RT for hot weather and shorter rides - more airflow, and easier to just hop on and go. I agree it is a great bike and mine fits like a glove at 5'9 with no modifications required.. So light and sporty, and as you say hardly any maintenance. Rewarding in it's simplicity. I love the looks and wish they had just updated it to the new 850 engine and instruments, with cruise control and adjustable w/s. Done. When I ride my RT sometimes I feel I need a pilot's license the thing is so big, heavy and complex. In comparison the GT is just a motorcycle and sometimes that's what we need.
I have had riders claim it is the road surface temps and chip seal that eats up tires. Chip seal is used all over, so I find it hard to believe that is an issue related to just one area. As far as road temps, I have ridden the south, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and still gotten the same miles as always. I have talked to guys that ride in the south and get 5,000 miles on a rear. If I ride 2,000-3,000 miles down south shouldn't I see my tire life cut dramatically? If I normally get 10,000, shouldn't I see 7,500 instead? But I don't!
I also wonder on a bright sunny day in Montana what is the road surface them in comparison to say Texas? 100F in Montana and 110F in Texas, bright sun, I will bet the road surface temp is close to the same.
I can see where if you live in an area with nothing but winding roads should chew up tires faster than an area with straight road, but I like to roll through what twisties I can find too.
I also wonder on a bright sunny day in Montana what is the road surface them in comparison to say Texas? 100F in Montana and 110F in Texas, bright sun, I will bet the road surface temp is close to the same.
I can see where if you live in an area with nothing but winding roads should chew up tires faster than an area with straight road, but I like to roll through what twisties I can find too.
bluewatercooled
Member
I ran my first set of Metzeler Roadtec Z8s for 20,000 km. They had some tread left (3 mm rear, 2 mm front), but I was starting a long trip so I replaced them with Roadtec Z8 rear, Sportec M1 front. I have another 20,000 km on the second set and they still have tread left (same as first set 3 mm rear, 2 mm front). There was some cupping on the first front tire by the time I retired it. None apparent on the current front tire.
This on a 2015 R, solo rider, mostly highway mileage. I tend to keep the tire pressures on the high side, 2.6/2.9 bars on the in-tire sensors which seems to equal 42/45 psi on my gauge. 2.6/2.9 bars actually equals 38/42 psi, but I have to put in several more psi on the gauge before the sensors see 2.6/2.9.
And I weigh about 60 kg (135 lb), so even with luggage the bike is pretty lightly loaded.
This on a 2015 R, solo rider, mostly highway mileage. I tend to keep the tire pressures on the high side, 2.6/2.9 bars on the in-tire sensors which seems to equal 42/45 psi on my gauge. 2.6/2.9 bars actually equals 38/42 psi, but I have to put in several more psi on the gauge before the sensors see 2.6/2.9.
And I weigh about 60 kg (135 lb), so even with luggage the bike is pretty lightly loaded.
