Anyone Using The Harley Dunlop Rear Tire?

[lenparkin]

Had a rear tire put on at a Honda/HD/KTM dealer. The only radial rear he had in the right size says HD on the sidewall. It's a Dunlop D407.

Len

 

[Papa]

Did your exhaust get louder?

 

[dduelin]

I would wonder if the tire is Z rated for the speed of the ST1300. While you may never use that speed its for sure the HD never will. Dunlop tire catalog lists our size in a 407 as a H rated tire (130 MPH).

 

[George]

H rated is more than enuff for American roads. I'd only buy a Z if I'm gonna be doing track days.

 

[Grizzley]

My Sporty had >7,000 Kilometers (roughly 4,300 miles) on HD tires when I replaced them with Metzlers. I found them to be very hard and slippery for my style of riding. I tend to lean more and take corners faster than your average cruiser rider. This was in the spring when the weather was still in the 60's
I plain loved the Avons on my ST1100 they held good in rain, cold and hot weather. Second choice was Metzlers. The Metzlers are much better on the HD than what factory tires were. I now have put on 15,000 KMs or 9,000 miles on the Metzlers and they are now getting slippery in a pouring rain (man, I miss the tupperware); I may have to get a new set for the colder, sometimes morning frost, weather.
You may find that they will wear for many miles, but if you drive in all weather, specially cold and wet, I would take it easier in the turns; depends on what you are used to riding on and your riding style.
Hope this helps,
JD

 

[Mark]

As long as it is the right size and the date on them is okay I don't see why they'd do anything other than let you ride...

That being said... you might tape-over/paint-over the HD...

 

[Gene]

Did it cost a extra Hundred Dollar's because of the sidewalls ?
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[indypup]

I'm currently running one. I had a flat in Pagosa Springs, CO and the Durango HD STealership was the only thing open on a Monday so I bought a Dunflop D407 for $230 bucks!!! ( I guess you have to pay extra for that HD name on the side). The tire has been a good one. I'd say better than an ME880. It's been fine in monsoon rain storms. I have about 4K on it now. I should get 2~3K more. My riding style is aggressive and the tire hasn't slowed me down any.

 

[Two Brothers]

It should be fine. If you are comfortable with ride it out. I would not drag hard parts with it. If you wake up dressed like a pirate you might want to get it changed.

 

[lenparkin]

Thanks for the input. When I can get it I've been running Metzler 880 for the last couple years. So I don't anticipate problems. I got the tire in Canada. I paid $218.48 for the tire, $71.96 labor and $40.05 for HST tax. Total $301.32 CA.

Len

 

[hondaholic]

Considering the cost and the HD label I'd say this is a prime example of adding insult to injury.... argh matey!

 

[Mark]

I think the cost is about right for any tire when you *have* to have it...

Right smack in the OUCH range!

Glad they were able to get you back on the road.

 

[lenparkin]

Replaced the D-407, with 12,355 miles on it, with a Metzler Marathon 880. I was happy with the mileage and the way the tire worked. Wouldn't hesitate to use another one.

Len

 

[George]

Good follow-up, Len.

I used to use the Dunlop K-591 bias. Dunlop now only makes that tar with HD stamped in the side wall like yur K407. It was/is a fine tar for the 1100. I used to get'em for about $85. In the HD shop, they now ask ~$200. :22yikes:

 

[Blrfl]

H rated is more than enuff for American roads. I'd only buy a Z if I'm gonna be doing track days.

Wouldn't be a legal fitment in most parts of Europe, but just fine here.

--Mark

 

[George]

Silly to require a Z rated tire on a basically touring bike.

 

[Blrfl]

I guess they could have gone V, which gets you up to 149 and covers the 1300's top speed on 143. Z gets you 149 to 168.

--Mark