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The short version: excellent performance, low price, even wear, but not the greatest lifespan.
The long version:
I installed a set of Dunlop D404 tires on my GS850G just before the Brown County rally in May. The mileage was 62,200.
Sizes: 100/90-19 front; 130/90-17 rear
D404s are marketed as Dunlop's "cruiser" tire, whatever that means. They come in a huge array of sizes, and are OEM on many new cruisers. The 404s are much less expensive than premium tires, like Dunlop's 491 series, but are priced a bit above the cheapies like Cheng Shin and Kenda.
At my local cycle shoppe, their tire prices inlcude mounting and are consistently $30 to $35 more than what you could order the same tire for online. Therefore, the total damage was $90 for the rear and $75 for the front with mounting and balancing, which you could order online for about $55/$45.
By way of comparison, at this shop, this is about $30 more than a set of Cheng Shin HiMax tires. I've worn out three or four sets of HiMaxes, and always been happy with the performance and life and extremely happy with the value.
The tread pattern is the same as Dunlop's 491 series tires and their Hardley-Ableson tires, but the 404s are made in Japan by Sumitomo, a respected name in the world of car tires.
During both the Brown County and Asheville rallys (and the trips to and from), grip, stability and balance were EXCELLENT in dry and wet conditions. These tires are on par with Metzelers for grip, and stayed in balance far better. I ride very fast, and the Dunlops were confidence inspiring in the twistys, even in the wet.
Despite the 650 mile trips to and from Asheville and too much curveless riding in northern Indiana where I live and work, wear patterns were completely normal, and actually showed much less squaring off than any other tires I've tried.
I'm at 65,800 now, and both tires are ready for replacement. The rear has less than 2mm of tread left in the center and the front is showing signs of the normal cupping wear you see on a front tire. They are still stable and in balance, although you can definitely tell the tire profile has changed a bit when leaning into a corner. It's nowhere near the sharp-edged flat spot you see on most worn tires, but it's definitely there.
Overall, I am very happy with the performance and value, but I really had hoped to get more than 3,600 miles. However, at $165 mounted, I can't complain at all -- a set of Dunlop 491s runs about $270 at my local shoppe, and a set of Metzleler 88s is about $290 (remember, they're padding by $35/tire to pay for the included mounting/balancing).
Overall, they're a great value, and you get excellent performance a tthe cost of some tread life. In the store, the rubber is noticeably softer than the 491.
Compared to the Bridgestone S11 Spitfire (another tire I've tried recently on this bike), they are equal or better in handling, with comparable tread life. However, the D404s run about $50 - $60 less per set.
I've also tried Metzelers once in the past, and while overall grip seemed great, they quickly went out of balance and started to wear in strange patterns. (The bike's wheels, bearings, frame alignment, steering head etc. were all checked and found to be perfectly fine, and the tires were also checked over and found to be OK.) Ultimately, I had to replace the Metzelers long before the tread was worn out due to the vibration and instability in corners. They definitely won't be getting any more of my business.
I can't stand wasting $70 again for mounting and balancing, so I'm gathering the tools and equipment needed to change my own tires, and I'll order up a new set next week.
Candidates include:
Michelin Macadam
Bridgstone BT45
Dunlop 491
I'll let ya know how it goes...any recommendations?
The long version:
I installed a set of Dunlop D404 tires on my GS850G just before the Brown County rally in May. The mileage was 62,200.
Sizes: 100/90-19 front; 130/90-17 rear
D404s are marketed as Dunlop's "cruiser" tire, whatever that means. They come in a huge array of sizes, and are OEM on many new cruisers. The 404s are much less expensive than premium tires, like Dunlop's 491 series, but are priced a bit above the cheapies like Cheng Shin and Kenda.
At my local cycle shoppe, their tire prices inlcude mounting and are consistently $30 to $35 more than what you could order the same tire for online. Therefore, the total damage was $90 for the rear and $75 for the front with mounting and balancing, which you could order online for about $55/$45.
By way of comparison, at this shop, this is about $30 more than a set of Cheng Shin HiMax tires. I've worn out three or four sets of HiMaxes, and always been happy with the performance and life and extremely happy with the value.
The tread pattern is the same as Dunlop's 491 series tires and their Hardley-Ableson tires, but the 404s are made in Japan by Sumitomo, a respected name in the world of car tires.
During both the Brown County and Asheville rallys (and the trips to and from), grip, stability and balance were EXCELLENT in dry and wet conditions. These tires are on par with Metzelers for grip, and stayed in balance far better. I ride very fast, and the Dunlops were confidence inspiring in the twistys, even in the wet.
Despite the 650 mile trips to and from Asheville and too much curveless riding in northern Indiana where I live and work, wear patterns were completely normal, and actually showed much less squaring off than any other tires I've tried.
I'm at 65,800 now, and both tires are ready for replacement. The rear has less than 2mm of tread left in the center and the front is showing signs of the normal cupping wear you see on a front tire. They are still stable and in balance, although you can definitely tell the tire profile has changed a bit when leaning into a corner. It's nowhere near the sharp-edged flat spot you see on most worn tires, but it's definitely there.
Overall, I am very happy with the performance and value, but I really had hoped to get more than 3,600 miles. However, at $165 mounted, I can't complain at all -- a set of Dunlop 491s runs about $270 at my local shoppe, and a set of Metzleler 88s is about $290 (remember, they're padding by $35/tire to pay for the included mounting/balancing).
Overall, they're a great value, and you get excellent performance a tthe cost of some tread life. In the store, the rubber is noticeably softer than the 491.
Compared to the Bridgestone S11 Spitfire (another tire I've tried recently on this bike), they are equal or better in handling, with comparable tread life. However, the D404s run about $50 - $60 less per set.
I've also tried Metzelers once in the past, and while overall grip seemed great, they quickly went out of balance and started to wear in strange patterns. (The bike's wheels, bearings, frame alignment, steering head etc. were all checked and found to be perfectly fine, and the tires were also checked over and found to be OK.) Ultimately, I had to replace the Metzelers long before the tread was worn out due to the vibration and instability in corners. They definitely won't be getting any more of my business.
I can't stand wasting $70 again for mounting and balancing, so I'm gathering the tools and equipment needed to change my own tires, and I'll order up a new set next week.
Candidates include:
Michelin Macadam
Bridgstone BT45
Dunlop 491
I'll let ya know how it goes...any recommendations?
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