dunlop d404 opinions?

[Guest]

Who has experience with the d404 tires? The 650g is wearing a set that is cracking between the treads so i'm gonna need new tires in the not so distant future, and at least the front keeps loosing air if i don't move it around. I kinda like them, but don't have enough seat time to make any reasonable comparisons about other tires. Spock is also wearing d404s and he handles pretty well with them. Surprisingly, sarge the kz is wearing kenda challengers that are way older and the are looking better. They are about 10 years old and are still nice and sticky, and not showing any noticeable signs of age degradation, however they will be replaced in the spring since they are still holding up and he doesn't get ridden as much as spock does, since spock is the designated commuter

[tkent02]

I'd put modern tires on all of them. 404s were designed in the stone ages, and they ride like it.

[60ratrod]

Which ones would you recommend? I'd like to put something that has good traction, wear properties, decent longevity, but won't break the bank

[tkent02]

Avon RoadRider AM 26 fits your description.

[chuck hahn]

I love them myself. Great hook up in then twisties and I cant find anything to complain about with the D404s.

[mrbill5491]

I wouldn't use Kenda tires to push the bike across the drive way much less use them on the road. Time for some serious tire investment.

[Wingsconsin]

I had D404's on a GL1100 Goldwing a few years ago. They rode pretty good, gripped well, and worked in the wet. My only complaint was they wore down rather quickly but the Goldwing is a heavy bike and it was ridden hard too.

I currently have Michelin Commander II on my GS850 and they are really nice, good grip, grip in wet, corner well and are quiet on the road surface.
With only about 4000 miles on them I can't tell you about longevity -- but they advertise longer life due to a dual compound where the center is ahrder than the shoulders of the tire -- they look good right now so maybe they are right...

Finding them in your size may be a challenge - but they are available in many sizes

[60ratrod]

The kendas that are on sarge are only on it cause they came with him. Like i said, since they seem to be holding up for the time being, they'll get swapped next season

[Steve]

If you are impressed by the Kenda Challengers, I must say that you will be REALLY impressed by anything else.

The Avon RoadRider that was suggested (make sure it's not the Road Runner) is good, but seems to be biased more toward grip in the turns by having a sharper profile that puts more rubber on the road while turning. Some of us don't spend all of our motorcycling time leaned that far over, so most of that advantage is wasted on us.

Depending on your riding style, the Michelins that were suggested are good, but if you need inexpensive tires that happen to work well and last at least a modest amount of time, the Shinko TourMaster 230 should be on your list, as well. I have them on all the GSes in my stable, but none of them has gone far enough to see how many miles they will last.

.

[60ratrod]

The only thing that's impressing me about the kendas is the condition relative to their age. They are still soft and pliable, not showing serious signs of aging, but i think that's due to how it was stored by the PO while he was putting it back together.

[tkent02]

Kendas are good fun for burnouts.
That is all.

[1980GS1000E]

Been running the 404 for a while now. Spirited twisty riding and no complaints at all.

[Prairie]

404's are predictable. Predictably mediocre.
The tread tends to "block up" (very uneven tread-face) very early in the life of the tire.
No, I have never had one of the rears break loose where it should not have. No, I never blew one out. They are just mediocre.

I honestly think I prefer a Shinko 712 to the 404. The carcass is more rigid on the Shinko. It is absolutely amazing how many 404's were sold over the years. And, yes, I have seen MANY guys ride them into the cords.................but, not THIS guy!