Tire life

[ALB80-850]

After reading the search results for an 850 GL, It looks like the Dunlop E3s are the way to go for high milage. The only negitive I saw is they harden up if you don't use them. Any other negitive comments, aside from price? I think I will buy a set of these for my Alaska trip. How much will the weight of gear have on the life of the tire? I don't expect my gear to weigh as much as a passenger, but I don't want to have to change a tire 2/3 of the way either. I estimating my total milage to anywhere from a low of 9000 to a high of 12000. Pretty sure they will need to be swaped when I get back. Thanks.

Andy

[bwringer]

The E3s should make it. By all accounts, they're great in the rain and handle quite well in the dry.

Obviously, they're probably not great on gravel, but I think the main roads to Alaska are now paved.


Any tire will harden up and get weird if you let the bike sit around for a couple of years, or only ride it to the corner tavern on alternate sunny weekends.

I had 12,000 miles on a set of Elite II Dunlops (NLA) and they had a good 3,000 - 4,000 left when I got a small bonus and tried some Pirellis. The E3s should wear at least as well.

[Steve]

Just from personal experience:

This past summer I changed the tires on my wife's 850L. Had Cheng Shin Hi-Max tires on it that we put on three years ago. Tires had 14,000 miles on them. Tire shop was out of E3s in these sizes, so put on another set of Hi-Max.

Also this past summer, I changed tires on my Wing. Had Dunlop E3s on it that I put on last year. Tires had 23,000 miles on them. Put on another set of E3s.

Either one should do you quite well, in my opinion.

.

[twr1776]

I have a set of the E3's on my 1100L and am very happy with them. They broke in quickly and maybe give a little less feedback than the Sport Demons but are still an excellent tire IMO. I have had them out in both heavy rain and heavy twisties and they have always felt very stable with no suprises. They are more expensive than other tires but with the mileage per set are a good deal and should last the entire trip for you.

[Clone]

Dude you are being really optimistic of doing a trip from NY to Alaska and back on one set of tires. One of the guys I rode with out of Saskatoon went from there to Alaska and back on a setbarely. You are adding about 3000 more miles. I think you will be changing at least the rear on your way back.