Goldwing tires

[sczinege]

Hello. I have been running Dunlop E3's on my 97 1500 and have been fairly satisfied. Got some decent mileage out of them, and since I've been running max. air pressure front and rear the cupping hasn't really been that bad. Anyway, getting close to tire replacement time and thought I would try the new Dunlop E4 on the rear. Don't think they are still making the E3's since the E4's are out. i don't like the tread design on the Dunlop E4 for the front tire. I have to regularly cross bridges in town that have grates instead of asphalt. With the E3's it is not an issue at all. the new E4 fronts have a grove in the centre that runs continuously around the tire. Will not be running those. Here is the question. The Dunlop E4 tire is 130/70 B/18. That's the size Honda calls for. I saw some Dunlop American Elite, Harley-Davidson front tires that are also 130/70 B/18. I like that tread design way better and am considering it for the front. All the numbers are the same, so I'm assuming that the load rating and speed rating are the same. Am i right? Is there any reason that I can't run that tire other than maybe my bike would have issues and be embarrassed with having a "Harley-Davdson" tire up front. LOL. What do you think?

[Sadanorakman]

Well the 130/70/B18 Hardly tire you mention has a load and speed rating of 63H, which is exactly the same as an Elite 3, an Elite 4, and the original OEM Dunlop K177. That's 600 lbs load and 130 Mph.

Same size, same load and speed ratings. I don't see a problem fitting this tire.

Anyone else have a view on this?

[89 1500]

I ran that American Elite on the front of my 89. I messed up my order and got the E-3 for the back and the A.E. for the front. Didn't notice any difference in handling over an E-3 and looked close enough to the same as the back which you couldn't really see anyway. The 92 I traded for has a new Shinko on the front which seems to be fine and I keep my pressures up but the bad comments on the brand have me edgy.

[sczinege]

Thanks for a quick response. You would think it would have to be the same. When it's time that is what is going on. The HD American Elite. Hope my bike forgives me for putting something HD on it. LOL

[nwkwinger]

As long as you keep the tire spinning, nobody will be able to see what you have on there.

[mterraci]

I had a new set of Dunlop E4's installed today; got 19,500 miles off of the last set of E4's, not a single issue with them.

[Bigbiker0]

Same for me never had a tire with so good milage.

[sczinege]

The E 4's on your 07 were probably radials I'm guessing. For my 97 pretty sure only bias ply are my only option. Still been satisfied with the mileage I'm getting out of them, except for 2 nearly new tires I picked up a nail in. (rears). Put a plug in the 2nd one and I'm still using it. Although only for short distant runs. If I get a chance to do a trip this summer I will be replacing it.