Just received my new Elite three's

[ridgeman06]

I am wondering what kind of tire pressure you guys are running with yours.
I do mainly solo riding on my 98 tourer, and I weigh about 225lbs. I am switching from Avons where I ran about 42 in the rear and 40 in the front. I assume the same will work on the new ones?
Thanks, Eric

[mmvalk]

40F and 42R works for me

[shortleg]

   If you mount them yourself, have fun.
 They have a tough bead.
    Goody and I did mine last year and they can be tough.
           Shortleg[Dave]

[PAVALKER]

40F and 42R works for me

Agree...    I would like you to fill us in on your thoughts of the E3.  I was not impressed with them, the front didn't feel right the whole time I had it, and wore out the same time the rear tire did.  Usually I get a 2 rear to 1 front ratio.... but not with the E3s.  I thought they were loose in turns and rain, but that is probably I came off of Metzler's which appeared to have really good grip.  Overall, I am probably the happiest with Avon's.... Venoms or now Cobras.     Give us some feed back on your E3 experiences.

[Friagabi]

Have had a E3 on the front since Inzane last year. Last one. May dump it before it wears out. It already has a flat band in its center but that is not the real problem. I had to chase it across 1/2 of a lane last weekend just to keep the bike upright. NOT FUN. First time a tire has let go of the road. Dry weather/clean surface tire only!!!

[Red Diamond]

Last E3's on rear got over 15k, mostly straight riding, some twisties, will develop flat spot but no problems. Not a hard rider nor a fast rider, 41-41 OK with me. Ride safely and have fun at it.

[Hoser]

Rode ok with the set I had, kinda noisy, switched to Bridgestones, cheeper and no noise.  Hoser

[Momz]

Ridgeman06,

You stated that you just received Elite IIIs. I bet you mean Dunlop E3s.

The Elite IIIs have been out of production for quite some time now, are not radials, and never were produced in the sizes to fit a Valkyrie.

E3s are in fact a replacement for the junk Dunlop D206s that were Valkyrie OEM tires.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I've said it many times here .... " I would'nt have E3's on my bike's if Dunflop gave them to me with free mounting " . My  E3 front slide out from under me three times in the short time I had it on the last time it almost put me into a guard rail on Cherohala Skyline....Be careful those tires will show you the asphalt the hard way.

[SANDMAN5]

I've said it many times here .... " I would'nt have E3's on my bike's if Dunflop gave them to me with free mounting "

I gots to agree. I took my front one off when it still had plenty of tread left. Some
people like them a lot and they may be fine for you. Just be careful for a while. The
only way I'd have one now is if I was in the middle of nowhere and had to have a tire.
Then I'd go slow until I reached civilization and could replace it with...uh...ANYTHING!!  YMMV

[Chrisj CMA]

Ridgeman06,

You stated that you just received Elite IIIs. I bet you mean Dunlop E3s.

The Elite IIIs have been out of production for quite some time now, are not radials, and never were produced in the sizes to fit a Valkyrie.

E3s are in fact a replacement for the junk Dunlop D204s that were Valkyrie OEM tires.

The OEM tire for the Valkyrie was the Dunlop D-206 and it was not a good tire.....never was intended to go long distance, It was very soft and most people finished them off in under 10K.  The replacement (long distance) version was the D-206 Elite which had the same tread pattern and was a much better tire.  about this time the older goldwing tires were the Elite II and many were calling the D-206 Elite the Elite II because it was the second Valk tire named as OEM.  There was never a Elite II or an Elite III made for the Valkyrie.  The E3 tire replaced the D-206 Elite and sported a different tread design eerily similar to the Avon Venom.  I used all three Dunlops and I hated the first OEM (D-206) but rather liked both the Elite models.  I generally get 20K or just over that on a set of Elites (the 3 or the previoous 206) and have no complaints with the tire.  If you have quiet exhaust you might hear the tire  as some have complained about the noise...I cant hear it above my cobra exhausts.  

[six2go #152]

Chris: Absolutely accurate description of the progression of Dunlop tires for the Valkyrie. My mileage experiences are the same as yours. I have gotten 20,000 miles from two different sets of 206 Elites and the current E3's have around 10,000 on them and look as if they will get at least that many more. Mileage is more important to me than maximum grip because most of my riding is done in the vertical position.

[sheets]

Very happy with E-3s.  Handling and tire life.  Not a power user - just a duffer on a powerful cruiser. 
I like the look "and" feel of E-3 on the front.  psi 40/42.  40/45 loaded to the gills. 
Works for me.  Yr&mmv, one duffer's opinion.

[john]

i  keep between 45 and 50 pounds air pressure in my
  E3s and the last set when 20,000 miles ...  plus .         
but i don't ride like my ass is on fire ...     
nothing to prove ... i enjoy the machine , the day and being alive   
 

[98valk]

The OEM tire Dunlop D-206 lasted for me 13k almost to the wear bars on the rear, the front was below on the one side. I did have the knowledge from others to run 40 psi or more.
right now have metzlers, looks like rear will provide 13k and front 15-16k.
next rear will be E3 and most likely another metz on the front which handles and tracts very good, also raised the forks in the triple clamps which really helped handling esp the low speed under 5 mph problem.
Decided against C/T due to the poor old roads in my area.

[six2go #152]

"next rear will be E3 and most likely another metz on the front"       I've been thinking of doing this same "mixture". I had a set of Metz at one time but didn't get the mileage from them that I did with Dunlops. I always change my tires in pairs regardless of the tread left on the front. I figured maybe the "more grippy" Metz on the front might wear at about the same rate as an E3 on the rear. Anybody else tried this combo?

[BF]

 "also raised the forks in the triple clamps which really helped handling esp the low speed under 5 mph problem."


I'm not getting what you're saying.  Can you please explain it so a dumbass (like me  ) can understand what you're talking about?

[ridgeman06]

I am not sure what the guys are saying about the elite three's not made for a Valkyrie. My new tires say Elite three on the side and 180 degrees around they say E3. They are the correct size for my tourer. I had a set of these on my 03Wing after the stock Bridgestones wore out and I was very happy with them.
I am just a regular rider out there, not needing to scrape anything or prove anything to anyone. I don't go fast. I just cruise and enjoy the day.
I'm confident these tires will serve me well as they did on my Wing when I owned it.

[Chrisj CMA]

I am not sure what the guys are saying about the elite three's not made for a Valkyrie. My new tires say Elite three on the side and 180 degrees around they say E3. They are the correct size for my tourer. I had a set of these on my 03Wing after the stock Bridgestones wore out and I was very happy with them.
I am just a regular rider out there, not needing to scrape anything or prove anything to anyone. I don't go fast. I just cruise and enjoy the day.
I'm confident these tires will serve me well as they did on my Wing when I owned it.

Someone was being overly picky because the old wing tires were designated with roman numerals and you substituted a III for a 3 in your original post ......you have the correct tire, its a long lasting one if you keep the pressure up to like 40 -44 ride and be happy

I correct myself....you spelled out three and Momz took it as III and there you go........overly picky about wording is all...I was correcting him because while he was trying to correct you he put out factually inacurate info about the OEM tire..........it was a conversation that didnt need to happen, dont worry about it

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I am not sure what the guys are saying about the elite three's not made for a Valkyrie. My new tires say Elite three on the side and 180 degrees around they say E3. They are the correct size for my tourer. I had a set of these on my 03Wing after the stock Bridgestones wore out and I was very happy with them.
I am just a regular rider out there, not needing to scrape anything or prove anything to anyone. I don't go fast. I just cruise and enjoy the day.
I'm confident these tires will serve me well as they did on my Wing when I owned it.

Sooner or later you will need to go into a curve and if its dry ,wet or even damp ....Be careful ....IMO those DunFLOP E3  should be removed from the market before they kill somebody if not already.Take note I did use the " IMO " that seems to cover one's ass when stressin' a point they feel strong about.

[fudgie]

I run Metz and like them. I still have a Metz front. In 08 I had it slip out on me in WY mostly on them tar snakes. It was 90 degs at the time. I contributed to a wearing out tire, which I replaced in spring 09. I went on the same road in 09 but I took it slow remembering it from the past year. It never slipped, but then again I was cautious. Its the only place it has done it. I'll be cautious again this year in the same spot.

[Darren]

I put E3's on mine based on the advice of some local Gold Wing riders. I have had the front on for just over 10,000 miles and it has performed well and is wearing great.

Darren

[98valk]

"also raised the forks in the triple clamps which really helped handling esp the low speed under 5 mph problem."

I'm not getting what you're saying.  Can you please explain it so a dumbass (like me  ) can understand what you're talking about?

for my bike the forks were flush with the top of the triple clamp. I think this is per the service manual. The pad areas that get clamped by the TC are larger than the TC. This allowed the forks to be raised approx 1/8". This changes the trail dimension, which seams to help the  low speed instability. general handling seams to improve also. I used an old credit card marked at 1/8" to help make sure both forks are the same.  free mod which u might like.