Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories DUNLOP D404's

I had a puncture last Thursday and had a local dealer fit what he had on his tyre rack as a rear tyre to keep me on the road as my TBA is my daily ride for commuting.
All he had in stock for my TBA's rear tyre size was a Dunlop D404. It feels and rides just fine but from the comments made by people who have had them when I do a Google search, they don't appear to rate that highly in the wear department. Just wondering if any BA.Com readers have used this tyre and what there thoughts are. I'm prepared for some disappointment so go ahead and let me know your thoughts.

This tire is made with a softer compound and may not last a long while, especially in a hot climate with dry road conditions. It is however, a bias-ply construction which tends to deliver a smooth ride. Dunlop makes a good tire (I've run their WWW and LOVE 'em)... I'm sure you will like it. It may not be the longest lasting tire, but from what I hear it grips well in all conditions (except snow, and ice... and maybe mud).

As a side note, I ran a set of Metzeler Sportec tires last year... they lasted maybe 6000 miles, but they sure gave me confidence in the rain!

Same as you I had a rear tire (tyre) blow out ~6 years ago. The local dealer only had Dunlop 404 in stock, as I was in a pinch he installed it. Like Keith said, it was a good relatively soft, grippy tire. I think it lasted 7-8K miles.

jh

Agreed 404's are nice riding grippy tires but 6 to 8000 miles is about the limit.
I just want a tire that grips like a slick in the dry, like a formula 1 rain tire in the wet, like a studded tire in the snow and mud, that will last 50,000 miles is 100% puncture resistant, and costs $20 new,,,,, is that to much to ask.

I run the D404s in preference to the Metzlers - front and rear. They may not deliver as much mileage (yet to be determined) but they are a much better and safer tyre - especially in the wet - where the Metzlers are nothing short of perilous. I ran the D404s also on my previous cruiser and couldn't get rid of the Metzlers quick enough when I got the America - I was un-nerved to have too many lost grip experiences and sliding rears when they should never have let go..

Thanks for your comments. I'd much rather trust the information from my fellow brother & sister riders of America's & Speedmasters on this site over annonymous ratings from just anyone on the www.
I'm comfortable now that even though I may be sacrificing a little on the wear side, I will have plenty of grip if i ever need it.
btw I'm a pretty conservative rider so I don't have any ambitions of pushing my TBA to the edge of its adhesion limits.
Thanks again, BA.com is the best.
John Q

One thing you will find out, may have a wierd feeling during a ride.went to dealer and all they had was a dunlop.
bridgestone front and dunlop rear.Got a weird feeling almost like a vibration everytime I rode. After 18k miles put Pirelli Route 66, front and rear.
Like a new Bike.Will do my best to never have 2 different tires again. Unless a emergency arises.

My front Metzler was bald at 7K. I have 10.5 on the back and it still has about 2K left on it. I replaced the front with a D404 and am about to change the rear this week. All of my friends who ride Harley's run Dunlop and they all tell me I should get 13 to 15K on them. Given the quick wear on the front Metzler I am happy to make the change. I was very disappointed in the Metzler wearing out so quick on the front.

I heard of a pair erupting in a mushroom cloud killing thousands. That's just what I heard.

I like the Bridgestone St11s. It is a bit rougher ride, but you have good wear in the middle and grip on the sides

Yes, it was a Lasertech. I rode today with the new Dunlop on the rear and it seems to work well. I understand the softer compounds give you better grip but I am looking for more of a compromise, longevity along with grip. For my riding style the Dunlop's should work well.

Just an FYI... I'm running a Dunlop K555 on the rear with a 491 up front. I think they were both new when I bought bike (used). Have put almost 14K miles on'm and they're down to a little over 1/16" left on both. Good mileage, grip and feel. I'll be putting new shoes on her before the seasons really gets started and will probably stay with the "triple nickle's (front and rear). WWW? hmmmm?

Those Dunlop WWW look great to be sure, but they are also a good tire to ride on. Great handling, exceptional grip and decent wear. You will like 'em, Larry!

No doubt Dunlop makes quality tires, I ran the white letter qualifiers all through the 80's and loved em. I agree that the Lasertec doesn't last very long especially for the price. My original tire was pretty well used up at 7800 miles. I switched to the ME 880 to match the rear and I'm very happy with it. At 12000 miles I upgraded the rear to a 180/70 ME 880, with no issues, the original tire still had 3000 or maybe 4000 miles left in it, but I'm leaving on a 6000 mile cross country trip next month and needed fresh tires.
I see alot of people here who don't like Metzlers, the most common complaint seems to be wet weather traction. Maybe you guys just ride harder in the rain than I do, but that's never been an issue for me, as long as the pressures are right, I run 36/42. For some reason these tires seem to be more sensitive to minor pressure differences than most.
Some of the fastest riders I know swear by Metzler ME 880's and those same guys also preach the importance of regularly checking the pressure. JMO