New Dunlop Elite 4 Rear Tire wore out too fast

[rolandranger]

On 11-02-17, I installed a new Dunlop Elite 4 tire on the rear wheel along with the CentraMatic wheel balance on my 2010 Honda GoldWing. The odometer reading at this time was 19,582 miles. Today, I noticed the rear tire was worn to the point where the tread was mostly gone. And today the odometer reading is 24,425 miles. The math tells me I only got 4,843 miles of wear out of this Dunlop Elite 4 tire. I purchased the tire from Gene's Gallery in Springfield, Missouri. I am requesting answers as to why the tire wore out so fast. I always check the air pressure and maintained proper inflation in the tire. I usually ride solo. And I don't pull a trailer. Before I got this 2010 GoldWing, I had a 1988 1500 GoldWing and a 1996 1500 GoldWing. I always put Dunlop tires on both bikes and I always got great mileage out of the tires. Please I need answers.

[AZgl1800]

are you aggressive with the throttle?
do you ride sharp twisties on roads that resemble chat or sharp granite knives?

I usually got 15,000 out of my E3 tires.
just bought an E4 last summer, but to be fair, I swap it back and forth with a CT on a separate wheel.

I like the E4 for short, slow rides around my local area....

I like the CT for long rides in a straight line all day long.

[kwthom]

A couple of thoughts:

- Tire pressure maintained in those 4400 miles?

- What *was* the tire pressure maintained at?

AZgl's second question - spot on. You need to think about those miles - a lot of local miles? How are road conditions overall?

How is the *front* tire in all of this? Does it too seem to be abnormally worn over time?

[DenverWinger]

I installed an E4 in April '17 (this on rear of a 1500) which now has about 7000 miles, 3000 of which was 2-up pulling a fully loaded camper. Tread still looks "almost new"..... Hoping for another trip with the camper this summer to Michigan and maybe catch the GWDocs 5th gathering on the way home too. This same E4 will be fine for the trip.

[AZgl1800]

A couple of thoughts:

- Tire pressure maintained in those 4400 miles?

- What *was* the tire pressure maintained at?

AZgl's second question - spot on. You need to think about those miles - a lot of local miles? How are road conditions overall?

How is the *front* tire in all of this? Does it too seem to be abnormally worn over time?

kwthom, did bring up a very important point.
I always keep my M/C tires at 44 psi ( Assumed that most folks do )
Let that pressure drop off below 40 psi and the tread will shave off in a hurry.
Let it get down to 34 psi ( Honda's recommendation ) and it will be gone in 4k miles, give or take a few.

.

[ron203]

Don't mean to be insulting in any way, but those E4's have "funny looking wear indicators (little holes, I believe?) as opposed to the traditional wear bars. I scratch my head often when I look at mine which have about 7,000 miles on them.

[C-dub]

I haven’t seen anyone ask this yet. What is the actual age of the tire? It could’ve been a couple years old or more when it was installed. That might be a bigger issue here.

[Rambozo]

What about all those burnouts you were doing?

[Terry D]

I've got 8K on mine and it looks new.

[DenverWinger]

I haven’t seen anyone ask this yet. What is the actual age of the tire? It could’ve been a couple years old or more when it was installed. That might be a bigger issue here.

Not sure, but I think the E4 was a "branny-new" product in 2017

[C-dub]

I haven’t seen anyone ask this yet. What is the actual age of the tire? It could’ve been a couple years old or more when it was installed. That might be a bigger issue here.

Not sure, but I think the E4 was a "branny-new" product in 2017

I don’t doubt it was “new” when you put it on, but what is its age? There’s a year and week code on the sidewall to determine its actual age.

[Rambozo]

I haven’t seen anyone ask this yet. What is the actual age of the tire? It could’ve been a couple years old or more when it was installed. That might be a bigger issue here.

Not sure, but I think the E4 was a "branny-new" product in 2017

I don’t doubt it was “new” when you put it on, but what is its age? There’s a year and week code on the sidewall to determine its actual age.

I think what he meant is that it couldn't be more than a year or two old, when installed, as the E4 was introduced in 2016.

[C-dub]

Not sure, but I think the E4 was a "branny-new" product in 2017

I don’t doubt it was “new” when you put it on, but what is its age? There’s a year and week code on the sidewall to determine its actual age.

I think what he meant is that it couldn't be more than a year or two old, when installed, as the E4 was introduced in 2016.

Ah, and I’d forgotten they were that new. I put my first set in in 2018 and got about 20k out of them. That first set was around 4-5mo old when installed. I think my second set was about the same or maybe younger at installation last year.

So, potentially dealing with a 4-5 year old tire here. Since I’m relatively new here and to Goldwings and also believe DenverWinger is not and knows more than I do about this subject I’m just gonna let that thread go.

Could there be an altitude and humidity difference contributing to the shirt life of this tire? It’s much drier where he is. I put my first set in about 4 months after DW did and then I also put in centromatic balances a few months later. Other than possible riding styles we’re left with environmental issues or a defective tire.

3+ years and only 4K miles? Could lack of use contribute to dryness and rapid wear.

[novatz]

We put 20k miles every year on the bike. Generally get 14 - 16k out of the tires. I tend to change them out early before we leave for the summer with the coach (we have a lift on the back to haul the bike). I don't like to be out and about searching for tires/dealer when we're traveling. However, the last set got 1500 miles on the front - roofing nail - and the rear got 5000 - 1/2" bolt into the tire.

[dtcad]

.. Tire mileage is directly related to the right wrist action.....

Chat seal vs smooth asphalt. Two lane twisties vs freeway.

Long distance trips I usually get 9-12k on Dunlop tires. That would be the old E3 or new E4's. Throw in some local rides in the Ozarks with some long distance trips and the mileage will be closer to 9K.

[Wingsconsin]

My bet is tire pressure was maintained too low -
Dunlop and many other tires like at least 40PSI in the rear
I keep my Bridgestones at 40 rear and get 10K per set -
Avons went more like 14K but that was at 42 psi
E4s I have not tried --YET -- I have a new set in the garage waiting for me right now

[AZgl1800]

I have an Avon Roadrider rear on the front of my 1800.

and currently, an E4 on the rear of it.

I am going to put the newly acquired 170/60 DSST winter tread on the rear when the Wx gets better.

[Cutlass1970]

I had a front Dunlop on my 2008 Gl1800 that wore out to fast.I contacted the Dunlop Factory in Buffalo NY and they looked after it for me.Give them a try.

[jimm4]

my last e4 on front of my 03 only got 8500 miles was getting 18000 before but i did go dark on rear when i put it on watch air press regulary maybe they just had a bad run of tires. double dark now see how it works out!

[pau7220]

Factory Dunlops were absolute junk at 1500 miles due to noise and vibration. Switched and I never got more than 5k out of my rear Bridgestones..... 8-10k on front. All 2 up riding on 2 lane PA twisties... mostly tar and chip. Took a shot and went to the darkside. I first did a 195 55 16 Dunlop Winter Sport 3D DSST Runflat..... Bike never handled better in turns or straight line. Tire still had 7/32" after 9k miles.... In the end of last season I picked up a 4" deck screw that went in the tread and out the sidewall. Tire was discontinued so I went with a 195 55 16 Pirelli W210 Snow Control 3 Runflat. It handled just as well. Say the nay if you must (I was there for a long time!), but don't knock it unless you've tried it. I'll withhold endorsing it, but IMHO I'll never go back.

[jimm4]

got 22k out of last rear ct partly my fault running to much air wore center out. Running 32 in my new yokohama and it handles beutiful

[Wingsconsin]

** Opinion Warning **

Why do perfectly straight forward tire questions devolve into Car Tire discussions?
The Original poster asked about poor longevity on his preferred motorcycle tire selection
Many answers were offered as possible reasons -
But eventually someone has to chime in with the Car Tire as a viable choice -
As if to validate the decision made by them for their ride?
Recruiting to join the club ?
Or is it truly just offering a potential viable substitute ?

The question was about poor tire life on a Dunlop E4 -
Nowhere did they ask if a car tire would do better -

Do not try to preach to me about the benefits of a CT -
I TRIED it - for 30,000 miles - I also tried the Double Dark -
It worked fine - but felt weird for ME -
I prefer to have a motorcycle tire feel when I ride.
Long straight lines on the highway ? I suppose longevity would be best
But sometimes the criteria ISN'T about how many miles can the tire last ...?

Feel and confidence is also a consideration for some.
Or a desire to maintain OEM design specifications.
Maybe the look of a motorcycle tire is the desired outcome.

So many choices --

Message to the original poster --
Would you like to know about an alternative to a motorcycle tire?

*** Sarcasm & Parody Ends here ***

[emwarrenfeltz]

OEM's on my 2013 Goldwing were Bridgestones and got 11,800 before needed replacement. So I went with the Dunlop Elite 4s for the next round. Got 13k on that set (always change both at the same time). Next set was Elite 4s again, and that set got 13,123 miles before a change. Currently have another set of Elites 4s with about 10,300 miles and they look like they will go another 3k miles before needing changed. I maintain 41 psi cold both front and rear and check pressure often. They do have a little cupping on the rear, but that seems to be common on all my rear tires. I ride somewhat aggressively in the twisties and run the speed limit or slightly above on the main roads. Got to keep up with BlueThunder!

My new 2020 Goldwing Tour has Bridgestones from the factory and there are 10,700 miles on them and will need to be replaced in the next 1k miles or so. I bough a set of Metzeler CruiseTecs for the next round to try. I liked the tread pattern better than the Elite 4s or the Bridgestones, especially for the wet. Seems like my riding last year always had wet roads involved.

The picture of the Elite 4 from the post looks like the sides are worn down but the center is high. Cannot figure how you got that wear pattern. Try another set and see if there is not an improvement.

[pau7220]

I bough a set of Metzeler CruiseTecs for the next round to try.

Warning: Watch the Metzeler's closely. I have failed many for PA Safety Inspection due to cracking (pre-delamination). In my opinion I wouldn't run them on a dump cart.

viewtopic.php?t=37981&start=25

[emwarrenfeltz]

One of my riding buddies runs them on his 2008 Goldwing and has had great mileage and is very satisfied with them. His PA inspection station also has done the installs. I will keep an eye on them to see how they wear and ride.

The dealer I bought the 2020 from also mentioned giving them a try over the Bridgestones. Checked the dates on them and rear was made in early 2019 and the front made in late 2020.

Thanks for the info.