Looking at new tires. How are Dunlop D404's?

[Mariner Fan]

Like alot of you I had 404's on my bike when I bought it. They were fine and lasted longer than most of the other reports that I have seen. I have E-3's on the bike now and I like them better. It seems that the tire is less "spongy" than the 404's.

[wes0778]

When I bought the '98 RSTC it had a worn out 404 on the rear. Not knowing any better, I installed a new 404, cause that was what the owner's manual called for. It lasted about 6500 miles and was worn enough that I was scared of it, so I replaced it. Found two nails in it. Very seldom had to put air in it, go figure.

When I got the '99 RSV it had a "down to the cord" Venom on it. Another member had given me the OEM 404 from his RSMV, that had about 5500 miles on it when he took it off to install E3's. The 404 had more than half the tread left, so being the cheap,,,, uh frugal, guy that I am I put it on the RSV. It ran another 6000 miles. At that time it still had miles left, but I was planning the ride to the M&E in Rome, so I replaced it with a new Continantal Milestone.

So the after market 404 lasted about 6500 miles (RSTC is slightly lighter and I ride it solo)

The OEM 404 lasted 11,500 and had miles left (RSV is loaded and 2-up about 1/2 the time)

[Yammer Dan]

I HATE the 404's. Love Avons but think E3's are better wearing tire but I don't know anything. Can't keep rear ones on my bikes??

[jer878]

Not sure about on a 1st Gen, but I will never put a D404 on my 2nd Gen again. It does not have a high enough load rating. Road 2 of them (rears - both emergency / on road replacements) and did not get 5000 miles out of either. One had a catastrophic failure while in the mountains of WV and the other just wore out in the plains of SD. Changed to an E3 and are at 10,000 miles and still rolling.

 

The general consensus on here (although some have strong opposing opinions) is:

 

1) Dunlop Elite 3

2) Avon Venom

3) Michelin Commander

 

These are in no particular order other than my personal preference. I got almost 16,000 miles out of an Avon but have never run the Commander.

 

D404 - never again.

 

RR

 

I have 10,000 on my Michelin Commanders and they're still looking great, they ride great also. Havent had the avons but the bike came with the 404's. the Michelin Commanders are much better than the 404's.

[islandmech]

I was on Motorcycle Superstore lookinfg at tires for my 86 venture and they had a bias ply E3 showing for sale in sizes for our bikes. They also had the E2's in stock. Both about the same price. I have e2's on the bike now and they are ok yet, but getting old and hard, really slippery on wet roads. Anybody tried the e3 Bias ply??

 

Cheers, Gary

 

Also, where to buy in Canada, or at least who will ship to Canada {Motorcycle Superstore does not}

[Old Miner]

A few years ago I ran dual compound radial tyres on a Honda CBR 1000 on the road, I can't remember who made them possibly Dunlop. The compound changed from the tyre middle to the side walls. They handled great, stuck to the road like the proverbial, BUT you only got 10K miles front and 5K miles per rear. No more no less. You never got the better mileage you came to expect from car radials.

 

Neil.

Old Miner.

Edited January 29, 2011 by Old Miner
Spelling

[warriorhoneybee]

great topic,now i dont know weather to punt or pass!!i have second gen and fixing to replace my tires also. i run the smaller tire on front seems to handle better at low speeds and twisties and i noticed that the smaller size had a higher weight limit????? dont know if that matters but thinking about the avon vipper.i guess the second gen came with bais ply. what the diff in the radial?

[warriorhoneybee]

p.s. yammer dan, if you would stop trying to keep up with the second gens you could keep a back tire on it. he he ha ha:bluesbrother:

[Jactana]

Islandmech, I normally buy mine from Phat Performance. You can get a pair of Elite 3's for 349.90 U.S. delivered, or Michelin Commander's for 289.90 delivered. They are great to deal with, I have bought 4 sets of tires from them.

Recently I found a Canadian company from Ottawa called www.dreamcycles.net that will sell Elite 3's for 376.06 Can Delivered. That's the best pricing I have found in Canada, But I haven't dealt with them, might give them a try this time as delivery would be faster without going through customs.

[camos]

Anybody tried the e3 Bias ply??

 

I did, I did... on my Virago... It's not a Venture but...

 

Also, where to buy in Canada, or at least who will ship to Canada {Motorcycle Superstore does not}

 

I bought the rear tire at Adrenalin on Pembroke Street. Unfortunately I don't recall what I paid but it was the best price I could find in Victoria. I bought the front tire from Motorcycle Superstore and had it shipped to Washington, picked it up and installed it there. The shipping was a lot, lot cheaper. At the same time I ordered a set of fog lights and a horn. Picking everything up at the same time, the savings paid for my trip plus a bit.

[islandmech]

Thanks for the info, I had not heard of Andrenalin in Victoria... how long have they been around? I will check them out for prices, would rather buy locally.

 

Stay tuned for a Victoria/VI ride out somewhere........

 

ps how did you like the E3 bias tire??

[camos]

Thanks for the info, I had not heard of Andrenalin in Victoria... how long have they been around? I will check them out for prices, would rather buy locally.

Don't know how long, but for quite a while. Their price was only marginally better (about $15) than Victoria Motorcycle. Buying local is OK if you are in a rush or have no time to arrange a delivery/pickup in the US. Seems many/most of the local shops still figure we islanders are stuck with whatever they want to charge.

 

 

Stay tuned for a Victoria/VI ride out somewhere........

I'm ready, I get some Saturdays off and all Sundays. Haven't had a fun ride since last fall. Bit depressed tonight as I lost the right side cover on my way to work this morning. It's hard to find replacements.

 

ps how did you like the E3 bias tire??

They handle great. Can't remember exactly what I've got on them but somewhere around 15000 Km (about 9000 miles) and they hardly look worn. Seems like they will last a reasonably long time.

[treeman]

I dont like the 404's at all, but tires preferences are like....well you know. I am a fan of Avon Venoms, some aren't, but I have had great luck with all the sets of Avons I have owned. The E3 Dunlop, and yes I have had a set on my '89 VR were ok, took a bit of getting used to but performed reasonably well. Best thing I can tell you is do what I have done for all the years I have rode Ventures, try them all out and judge for yourself.

 

squidley i put a Set of Avons on & they had Side wall cracking Bad Tire Rep. got me Two news one & at 4000 miles they had side wall cracking Front & back Back the worse. Tire Rep. coming to town to look at them PSi f- 38 B- 42 What do you think More Avons or E- 3

[CaptainJoe]

I've got 6400 miles on my 07 venture with dunlop 404's. Bout the only thing negative I can say about them is that neither one will see 8000 miles. Soft rubber tires good handling properties, although perhaps to soft...

 

Going to the Darkside in 1500 miles.

[treeman]

Red Rider my last to sets of Avon had Bad side wall cracking uder 5000 miles Where did you buy them & what PSI you run

 

 

Not sure about on a 1st Gen, but I will never put a D404 on my

 

 

 

2nd Gen again. It does not have a high enough load rating. Road 2 of them (rears - both emergency / on road replacements) and did not get 5000 miles out of either. One had a catastrophic failure while in the mountains of WV and the other just wore out in the plains of SD. Changed to an E3 and are at 10,000 miles and still rolling.

 

The general consensus on here (although some have strong opposing opinions) is:

 

1) Dunlop Elite 3

2) Avon Venom

3) Michelin Commander

 

These are in no particular order other than my personal preference. I got almost 16,000 miles out of an Avon but have never run the Commander.

 

D404 - never again.

 

RR