Anyone running an MT90HB-16 Front... Elite 3?

[Dave77459]

I have been running an Avon Venom "skinny" front tire, the MT90HB-16, since I switched out of the stock Brickstones. I love it.

 

I am fixin' to order a new pair of tires, and see that there is an MT90HB-16 Front on the Dunlop Elite 3. I am trying out the E3s, and I wonder if anyone is running the skinny front E3?

 

Maybe I should run the stock size (150/80-16) and see if I like it?

 

Dave

[Monty]

I am, and it does great.

[Dave77459]

I am, and it does great.

Did you run the Venom before? Comparison?

 

I'm encouraged, thanks,

 

Dave

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I'm running the 150 80/16 Dunlop E3 and I like it....but I havent tried the narrower front tire so I cant give you a comparison.

 

I 'donated' an E3 to flb_78...Forest...and he might be able to tell you what kind of mileage he got from it.

[Dave77459]

I'm running the 150 80/16 Dunlop E3 and I like it....but I havent tried the narrower front tire so I cant give you a comparison.

 

I 'donated' an E3 to flb_78...Forest...and he might be able to tell you what kind of mileage he got from it.

I saw in another thread a discussion about squirrely tracking on bridge grates/decking. I'm planning on riding over the Mighty Mac in a month, and the inner lane is 5 miles of grating. I'm a little nervous about the narrow front on grating. I get some pucker from the deep grooving that TX has started to allow contractors to use during resurfacing. 5 miles of pucker would be a bit much. LOL

 

How's the stock front run on the milling/grooving?

 

Dave

[Monty]

Yes, I had the Venom before, albeit the narrow one. Haven't run the stock size up front.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

 

How's the stock front run on the milling/grooving?

 

Dave

 

Its been a long time since I had the stock front tire on this bike...cant actually remember. Now, you can always tell when your on a milled surface, but I think that the Dunlop E3 is better at this than the stock Dunlop 404's ( or was it 402?) , mainly because of the type of grooves in the tire, angled versus mostly longitudinal.

 

I would say that the tire is pretty stable...even in the rain. If there is a fault with the tire, I havent found it yet. I run it right at 36 pounds cold...measured with a digital gauge.

[Dave77459]

Yes, I had the Venom before, albeit the narrow one. Haven't run the stock size up front.

So the Dunlop narrow performs comparably to the Avon narrow? Be great if so!

 

Its been a long time since I had the stock front tire on this bike...cant actually remember. Now, you can always tell when your on a milled surface, but I think that the Dunlop E3 is better at this than the stock Dunlop 404's ( or was it 402?) , mainly because of the type of grooves in the tire, angled versus mostly longitudinal.

 

I would say that the tire is pretty stable...even in the rain. If there is a fault with the tire, I havent found it yet. I run it right at 36 pounds cold...measured with a digital gauge.

I'm sorry, I meant the stock size, not the stock tire. I couldn't recommend the stock tires to anyone.

 

Dave

[dkip]

I'am running the narrow elite tire for 4000 miles and love it. I find no faults and it feels like a totally different bike compared to stock tires

 

dale

[Monty]

I just got home from my test run: Pulling my loaded trailer, with loaded cooler in a heavy rain. Bike, tires and trailer all did wonderful.

[Dave77459]

I'am running the narrow elite tire for 4000 miles and love it. I find no faults and it feels like a totally different bike compared to stock tires

 

dale

I really like the way the narrow tire handles.

 

I just got home from my test run: Pulling my loaded trailer, with loaded cooler in a heavy rain. Bike, tires and trailer all did wonderful.

That's great news! I ordered the narrow front (and a new rear) Elite III. I look forward to comparing how it feels compared to the Avon.

 

Thanks!

 

Dave

[Guest Boomerbiker]

I have 26,000 miles on the '06 Venture. Swapped the Brickstones at time of purchase including the smaller 130 on the front. Am now on the second front tire and have ridden the bridge many times, mostly the grated deck so I can look down if I so desire. Have never felt the least bit uncomfortable or any unusual wobble, but you do know you're not on a paved surface. To me, gravel is far more intimidating than the metal deck. Enjoy.

 

Bill

[Condor]

I have been running an Avon Venom "skinny" front tire, the MT90HB-16, since I switched out of the stock Brickstones. I love it.

 

I am fixin' to order a new pair of tires, and see that there is an MT90HB-16 Front on the Dunlop Elite 3. I am trying out the E3s, and I wonder if anyone is running the skinny front E3?

 

Maybe I should run the stock size (150/80-16) and see if I like it?

 

Dave

 

I just put on EIII's on the '99 front and back in regular sizes. I thought that I'd experience the same performance increase that I experienced on the '83 using regular sized Avons. The EIII's were better, but I think I should have gone to the smaller 130 front. Other than the bike still being a little sluggish, it was still an improvement over the EII's I took off.

[Dave77459]

I have 26,000 miles on the '06 Venture. Swapped the Brickstones at time of purchase including the smaller 130 on the front. Am now on the second front tire and have ridden the bridge many times, mostly the grated deck so I can look down if I so desire. Have never felt the least bit uncomfortable or any unusual wobble, but you do know you're not on a paved surface. To me, gravel is far more intimidating than the metal deck. Enjoy.

 

Bill

That's great feedback! Very comforting, thanks!

 

I just put on EIII's on the '99 front and back in regular sizes. I thought that I'd experience the same performance increase that I experienced on the '83 using regular sized Avons. The EIII's were better, but I think I should have gone to the smaller 130 front. Other than the bike still being a little sluggish, it was still an improvement over the EII's I took off.

I felt that the E3 rear was a bit less nimble than the Avon rear I had been running. It felt more solid though. Just a bit different feel. I wonder how the front will feel... I'll find out soon!

 

Dave

[LilBeaver]

I have 26,000 miles on the '06 Venture. Swapped the Brickstones at time of purchase including the smaller 130 on the front. Am now on the second front tire and have ridden the bridge many times, mostly the grated deck so I can look down if I so desire. Have never felt the least bit uncomfortable or any unusual wobble, but you do know you're not on a paved surface. To me, gravel is far more intimidating than the metal deck. Enjoy.

 

Bill

 

I too have ridden across that bridge several times (I lived in Marquette for a few years) and while most of the time I DO agree with you, it is really not that big of a deal, I have had a few crossings that were somewhat less than desirable (granted this was on my goldwing NOT the RSV). One time was on a brand spanking new Dunlop E2 and it felt like it really 'grabbed' the grate - this tire literally had about 200 miles on it when crossing the bridge (I had it put on right before I left for that trip, I know it is bad practice to mount up a tire then take a trip, but whatever). And there have been a few times where I crossed in the rain with some wind - the wind can really rip across the straights and when that grate gets wet, it is SLICK. But, of the scares that I had, I never once felt like I was going to lose control of the bike or whatever, so, as long as you take it easy and are prepared for the fact that it isn't going to be 'just like your standard smooth highway road' then you'll be fine.

 

By the way, when you get ready to go up there - depending on how rigid your schedule is, let me know I can give you a few decent roads to take in the U.P that are definitely worth while.

[SledgeHammer]

I am on my third set of tires with the smaller front tire. I replaced my Avons a couple of months ago with the Elite 3's. The Avons and Elites both offer excellent handling with the smaller front tire. I will never go back to the 150 on the front. I am equally pleased with Avons and Elites. So much so, that the best price will determine which tire I buy next time. I will have to admit that I am toying with the idea of putting a radial car tire (165-80 15) on the rear at the next change. Bottom line, if you like the handling of your bike with the Avon smaller tire, you will be pleased with the E-3 also.

[Dave77459]

I am on my third set of tires with the smaller front tire. I replaced my Avons a couple of months ago with the Elite 3's. The Avons and Elites both offer excellent handling with the smaller front tire. I will never go back to the 150 on the front. I am equally pleased with Avons and Elites. So much so, that the best price will determine which tire I buy next time. I will have to admit that I am toying with the idea of putting a radial car tire (165-80 15) on the rear at the next change. Bottom line, if you like the handling of your bike with the Avon smaller tire, you will be pleased with the E-3 also.

Terrific feedback, thanks! I now have the tires in the garage and am waiting for Father's Day to bring me the goods to change them out.