yes ,,, i got caught out by storing new quad tyres outdoors and they perished , they were unused , i had some used tyres indoors and they still have no cracks , expensive mistake , thinking tyres are weather proof , they are not ,,
Elites, Commander 3, BattleCruise, Marathon… all manufacturers are making good ones, some better for different situations. Those that last, won’t stick as well and so on. Have Elites on the RG and BattleCruise on the SGS, with sticky Shinkos on the Dyna. I’d put the less expensive Bridgestones up against those Dunlop’s in every situation and I’m getting the Bridgestones for about $100 less per set.
Great video as always dude. Quick point… DOT stamping regulations depends on location. You pointed out the 10years from manufacture date. This tire would not pass DOT in Canada. The ministry has the ability to remove the vehicle from the road if unsafe. This would be an event that could be the cause of such incident. In most cases a tire doesn’t last that long anyways. Just thought I’d add that disclaimer brother. Keep up the great work!
Hey Man Mountain Mike, I like the Dunlop Elite. It’s a good tire. However, I run the Michelin Commander III. I seem to get a bit more wear out of them. You won’t go wrong with either tire. I too have run tires to the steel belts but that’s really a dumb move on my part. Y’all stay safe out there and keep good rubber under ya. Stranded in the middle of nowhere sux!
Just put a new Dunlop American Elite on rear of my FLHTP as the factory 407 had reached end of life. Headed to Bandera next week for Thunder in the Hills rally.
Good topic!!! Have a Shinko Rear that was bought for me after my flat on the way home from BBB. But a few weeks ago, I went with a Michelin Commander II on the front. Yes, it cost more but I had a Kenda that cupped so bad after one riding season. I will NEVER buy Kenda again. I believe I will go with Michelin when the Shinko wears out... Which shouldn't take long. LOL
I bought a 2011 Triglide in 2022, it had 10,000 kms on it for a 12 yr old bike. First thing I did was change the three tires, even though the rear wasn't hurt to look at. Plus I got a brand new rear and front with it, but the tires were dated 2010 like the ones on the trike. I contacted Dunlop to see what they had to say about a new tire dated 2010, they said " They wouldn't recommend using anything over 7 yrs old, but especially nothing over 10 yrs old. The compounds break down with-in the tire, and you can't tell by just looking at them" I replaced the stock Dunlop 402, with the American Elite, same on my 2008 Ultra. The American Elites are great.
Thanks for the video! I have tried several different brands I thought the Metzeler brand was noisy the American Elites are a great tire I think the Michelin ones give the best mileage. I keep track of my tires I had a rear tire go down once running down the road and was lucky to not end up dead. It’s a good idea to put your bike up on a jack and check out your tires at least once in a ridding season IMO.
You’re right, it just depends on the situation as to when they should be replaced. I always run the Dunlop Harley Davidson tires. They work great for me.
I always seem to go through tires fast(no burnouts and yes I'm diligent about pressures) .... On my Victory XC I've run Michelins, Metzlers, Avons, Dunlops and Shinkos the most I ever seem to get is 8k miles out of the rear and 10k front.. I picked up an 18' Goldwing last Aug., as part of the deal I had the dealer put on a set of tires, they used the OE Dunlop SportMax.. I put 5.5k miles on the Wing between Aug and Nov. when I put it up for the season. Taking it out this spring I noticed the rear tire is already spent to the wear bars and flat spotted, the front isn't much better, so I won't be using these again. On the Victory I actually got the best wear and mileage(good performance also) out of the Shinko 890 Journey tires. I'm going to put them on the Wing for this season, hopefully they will last like they did on the Vic.
I have a 2007 Heritage Softail. Last fall I took it to Loess Hills Harley Davidson for the 10,000 mile service. I had a new American Elite tire put on the front. The original front tire was on the bike. It was dated for the first half of 2007. I bought the bike in the fall of 2022. It had 6,000 miles on it. I put another 4,000 miles on it in 2023. The tire still had decent tread. It was starting to get some fine cracks in it. The back is the same as the original but was replaced in 2018 and I plan on replacing it after this years riding season. I will get an American Elite on the back. My front tire still worked fine last year at 16 years old. I am not an aggressive rider.
I ride from march to the beginning of December, I go thru 3 rears and 1 sometimes 2 fronts every year, personally I won’t ride on anything that has tires older then 2 years. Last time I did was an fz1 I bought that was a garage kept with 8 year old tires on it, when you would hit 44 mph instant death wobble. New tires and the bike straighten out.
I ride until they cup, or square off... and then get new ones. It ain't cheap, but it's comfy. Interesting that you're going to Dunlop AEs - I just had a set installed 1k ago on my Street Glide, and so far I really like them.
I press my luck in my 40s I run a tire flat and get a Tire and See the belts when I pull it off the wheel . I no longer run a tire down that far . I road a good 1500 miles a week when I was doing AIM .
I started riding in 1970. I have tried many tires over the years. The last few years, I have been using Dunlop American Elites. My brother in law likes Shinko. I also have ridden down to the steel belts once on the rear tire. Now I watch my tires better.
Great info, Mike! I knew about the wear bars, but I had no idea that the sidewalls had triangles to show where they were! Been riding 60 years and you taught me something! Thanks!
Been running Michelin Commander II tires for several years now. No complaints. Great tire thus far. I believe that Michelin Commander III are now available.
yes ,,, i got caught out by storing new quad tyres outdoors and they perished , they were unused , i had some used tyres indoors and they still have no cracks , expensive mistake , thinking tyres are weather proof , they are not ,,
I think the American elites are the best tire on the market.
Elites, Commander 3, BattleCruise, Marathon… all manufacturers are making good ones, some better for different situations. Those that last, won’t stick as well and so on. Have Elites on the RG and BattleCruise on the SGS, with sticky Shinkos on the Dyna. I’d put the less expensive Bridgestones up against those Dunlop’s in every situation and I’m getting the Bridgestones for about $100 less per set.
Great video as always dude.
Quick point… DOT stamping regulations depends on location. You pointed out the 10years from manufacture date. This tire would not pass DOT in Canada. The ministry has the ability to remove the vehicle from the road if unsafe. This would be an event that could be the cause of such incident.
In most cases a tire doesn’t last that long anyways. Just thought I’d add that disclaimer brother. Keep up the great work!
Wow I didn’t know that! Thanks!
Hey Man Mountain Mike, I like the Dunlop Elite. It’s a good tire. However, I run the Michelin Commander III. I seem to get a bit more wear out of them. You won’t go wrong with either tire.
I too have run tires to the steel belts but that’s really a dumb move on my part. Y’all stay safe out there and keep good rubber under ya. Stranded in the middle of nowhere sux!
POP! Down you go. Don't be cheap you only have two contact patches. And one life.😊
Excellent advice. You can't put it any simpler than that.
Just put a new Dunlop American Elite on rear of my FLHTP as the factory 407 had reached end of life. Headed to Bandera next week for Thunder in the Hills rally.
Enjoy and be safe!
Good topic!!! Have a Shinko Rear that was bought for me after my flat on the way home from BBB. But a few weeks ago, I went with a Michelin Commander II on the front. Yes, it cost more but I had a Kenda that cupped so bad after one riding season. I will NEVER buy Kenda again. I believe I will go with Michelin when the Shinko wears out... Which shouldn't take long. LOL
I bought a 2011 Triglide in 2022, it had 10,000 kms on it for a 12 yr old bike.
First thing I did was change the three tires, even though the rear wasn't hurt to look at.
Plus I got a brand new rear and front with it, but the tires were dated 2010 like the ones on the trike.
I contacted Dunlop to see what they had to say about a new tire dated 2010, they said " They wouldn't recommend using anything over 7 yrs old, but especially nothing over 10 yrs old. The compounds break down with-in the tire, and you can't tell by just looking at them"
I replaced the stock Dunlop 402, with the American Elite, same on my 2008 Ultra. The American Elites are great.
American Elites are definitely a good choice ,, they handle great and wear well Bike tires are increasing in price
Yes they are!
Thanks for the video! I have tried several different brands I thought the Metzeler brand was noisy the American Elites are a great tire I think the Michelin ones give the best mileage. I keep track of my tires I had a rear tire go down once running down the road and was lucky to not end up dead. It’s a good idea to put your bike up on a jack and check out your tires at least once in a ridding season IMO.
I have a video about that also
I think you should visually check them more than once a year. You never know what you might find.
You’re right, it just depends on the situation as to when they should be replaced. I always run the Dunlop Harley Davidson tires. They work great for me.
I always seem to go through tires fast(no burnouts and yes I'm diligent about pressures) .... On my Victory XC I've run Michelins, Metzlers, Avons, Dunlops and Shinkos the most I ever seem to get is 8k miles out of the rear and 10k front.. I picked up an 18' Goldwing last Aug., as part of the deal I had the dealer put on a set of tires, they used the OE Dunlop SportMax.. I put 5.5k miles on the Wing between Aug and Nov. when I put it up for the season. Taking it out this spring I noticed the rear tire is already spent to the wear bars and flat spotted, the front isn't much better, so I won't be using these again. On the Victory I actually got the best wear and mileage(good performance also) out of the Shinko 890 Journey tires. I'm going to put them on the Wing for this season, hopefully they will last like they did on the Vic.
I have a 2007 Heritage Softail. Last fall I took it to Loess Hills Harley Davidson for the 10,000 mile service. I had a new American Elite tire put on the front. The original front tire was on the bike. It was dated for the first half of 2007. I bought the bike in the fall of 2022. It had 6,000 miles on it. I put another 4,000 miles on it in 2023. The tire still had decent tread. It was starting to get some fine cracks in it. The back is the same as the original but was replaced in 2018 and I plan on replacing it after this years riding season. I will get an American Elite on the back. My front tire still worked fine last year at 16 years old. I am not an aggressive rider.
Excellent information Mike, thank you so much!
I ride from march to the beginning of December, I go thru 3 rears and 1 sometimes 2 fronts every year, personally I won’t ride on anything that has tires older then 2 years. Last time I did was an fz1 I bought that was a garage kept with 8 year old tires on it, when you would hit 44 mph instant death wobble. New tires and the bike straighten out.
I ride until they cup, or square off... and then get new ones. It ain't cheap, but it's comfy. Interesting that you're going to Dunlop AEs - I just had a set installed 1k ago on my Street Glide, and so far I really like them.
I ran them for years on my SG and recently tried something else and am not that excited so I’m going give the AE a run on the Dyna…
I press my luck in my 40s I run a tire flat and get a Tire and See the belts when I pull it off the wheel . I no longer run a tire down that far . I road a good 1500 miles a week when I was doing AIM .
I started riding in 1970. I have tried many tires over the years. The last few years, I have been using Dunlop American Elites. My brother in law likes Shinko.
I also have ridden down to the steel belts once on the rear tire. Now I watch my tires better.
Awesome video as always sir
Loved the American Elites. I had them on my dyna, and when i need tires for my low rider st, ill be putting them on that as well
Great info, Mike! I knew about the wear bars, but I had no idea that the sidewalls had triangles to show where they were! Been riding 60 years and you taught me something! Thanks!
I can’t guarantee every tire manufacturer does cause I haven’t run them all but I know several do
I ride Metzler Cruisetec. Been a Great tire so far.
Good Info bud
Thanks!
Been running Michelin Commander II tires for several years now. No complaints. Great tire thus far. I believe that Michelin Commander III are now available.