Dunlop Elite ???

[TearlessTom]

I bought my bike about 8 months ago and it came with a pair of Dunlop ELITE tires on it. I have a couple of 1000 mile trips scheduled one in two weeks the other in about two months.

The front is down to the tread wear bars so I have ordered an ELITE 3 to replace it.  The rear ELITE still has a good amount of tread left on it.  It will make at least one of the trips if not both before hitting the tread wear bars.

I think the BORN ON DATE IS "4501"  I am not sure what that date is but I read somewhere that tires shouldnt be ran past 4 years regardless of tread.  If I am reading this correctly from my research the tire was manufactered the 45th week of 2001 so it would be coming up on its 8th birthday in a couple of months.

My question is this:

Should I go ahead and replace the rear ELITE  with a new ELITE 3? and keep the older tire as a spare?

Is there much difference in ride and handling between the two?


Can anyone shed some light or insight for me?

Thanks

Tom

[Willow]

The answers to your questions are:

Yes. (no.)

Oh, yes!

Probably so, but it would not likely be me.

[TearlessTom]

The answers to your questions are:

Yes. (no.)

Oh, yes!

Probably so, but it would not likely be me.

  Don't mence words Willow just get to the point.   

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Replace it before any long trips, those old Elites don't wear very long after it's to the wear bars. 600 miles and it's cords.

Raymond

[razor]

The Elite 3's are a completely different tire than the OEM dunlops. Different tread, rubber compounds and profile.  They handle completely different!   I think I can say most of us didn't care for the OEM dunlops very much.  There are some of us that don't like the Elite 3's, as well as some of the other tires. But that's opening a great big can of stinky worms.  So I won't go there.

But in my opinion, if you're going with an E3 on the front, go ahead and put one on the rear at the same time. 

[MP]

At that age, and a long trip, replace the rear too.  If you were just doing close to home rides, I might try to get some more miles out of it, but not looking at a long trip.  Having that sucker give out would ruin your trip.
MP

[6jugzz]

Go with the Briggs battle-axe 200 on the rear & shinko "OEM" size on the front. Add The Dyna-beads to balance both tires (2 oz. ea.)
and you will spend $100 less than the dunflops. It will b smooth as silk.!!!

[TearlessTom]

I went ahead and ordered the E3 rear today along with some more dynabeads.  I hope to have it all done by next Tuesday.


Shamless Plug Follows:

I buy all my tires from TwoBrothersTires.com They have always given me great service and advice, as well as great price and shipping.  I got the dynabeads from http://www.wingstuff.com/. Price is a bit cheaper than some other but free shipping chenched the deal for me.

Tom

[junior]

The answers to your questions are:

Yes. (no.)

Oh, yes!

Probably so, but it would not likely be me.

are you a lawyer willow? your sounding awful vauge

[TearlessTom]

The answers to your questions are:

Yes. (no.)

Oh, yes!

Probably so, but it would not likely be me.

are you a lawyer willow? your sounding awful vauge

No he couldn't be, a Lawyer would use 3-4 paragraphs for each answer to say the same thing. They charge by the word.

Hummm ??? Wonder why there are not more Women Lawyers...Seems right  up there alley.

Tom

[Probie (Scooter57)]

I buy all my tires from TwoBrothersTires.com They have always given me great service and advice, as well as great price and shipping. 
Tom

Those guys do my tires too, where do you live? I'm out in Auburn out past Dacula on Hwy 29

[TearlessTom]

I live on Mobile Bay in Spanish Fort Alabama, Just north of I-10 on hwy 225.

Tom

[valk2128]

Those guys do my tires also, I am in Suwanee GA.

[Probie (Scooter57)]

I live on Mobile Bay in Spanish Fort Alabama, Just north of I-10 on hwy 225.

Tom

and you come all the way over to Lawrenceville Ga for tires???   

[TearlessTom]

I live on Mobile Bay in Spanish Fort Alabama, Just north of I-10 on hwy 225.

Tom

and you come all the way over to Lawrenceville Ga for tires???   

No they ship to my door cheaper than I can get them locally or from any other store.  I do my own mount and balance....

Tom

[BF]

Tearless....

You're not that far from me.  Fort Walton Beach, about 35 miles east of Pensacola.  Fort Walton Honda-Yamaha put a set of Elite III's on my Valk last November for 286.00....front AND rear, mounted, out the door.  Did it in a couple of hours.  Dropped off the Valk, took the wife to lunch, Valk done.  Rode it home. 

Give 'em a call and see what kind of deal you can get now.  850-862-4622

http://www.hondayamahafwb.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1