Dunlop American Elite front tire

[HMB Don]

Today I started working on my Voyager 1700's front end. Installing new tapered steering head bearing, Race Tech gold valves or Modulators.

First I had to remove the front wheel. What a surprise when I removed the front tire and it still looked good. I've had this tire on for more then a year, but didn't remember how long or the number miles this tire had traveled on the front of my Voyager.

20,000 miles and wear is only down to 4/32

See how there is no cupping on the tire, it smooth and round. I have Race Tech fork springs installed with 5# fork in the forks. The tire was balanced 20,000 miles ago.

[cranky]

... I've switched to Ride-On tire balance/sealer, it's about the same cost
as balancing, you get the benefit of the automatic sealer and the
balance is dynamic and your tires stay balanced over time...

A mechanical balance is only right once.... IF done correctly...

Plus I run Michelin tires, and they seldom need any balance at all... JM2C

http://www.ride-on.com

[kawman12]

I just put a set of the American Elites on my Voyager and will be extremely happy if I can get same type of mileage from mine.
Don, what do you run for air pressure in front and rear?

[HMB Don]

Cranky
I balance my own tires, which saves me money.

Kawman12
I always run 41 or 42 cold. Which should be good for at lest 2 weeks

[hank43]

Hey Don;
I have a technical question:
I just replaced my existing front tire with the new American Elite, and I noticed that the existing tire was cupped. Still some tread, but cupped. What causes this (the cupping)?

hank43

[cranky]

.. the # 1 .. by far is not running 40 psi in the tire, there may be others
but IIRC, OK I don't IIRC, sigh... Only one that rings the cup bell is PSI....

[alabama498]

I just put the rear american elite on my bike that I won at the rally last year. The mc2 that I had
on had 15000 miles on it and still looked like it had many more miles left on it but it was starting to Crack in the treads. It was nice to have the elite to replace it with. The shop said to run 45 psi in it because I run 2 up most of the time. was running 42 psi in the mc2. What do you think Don is 45 too much? And thanks for getting the tires donated.

Brad

[Highway Rider]

I always run 5lb over what it says on the side wall of the tire.

[Van Voyager]

I always run 5lb over what it says on the side wall of the tire.

I thought the sidewall shows max pressure?

[HMB Don]

The American Elite has a very stiff sidewall. It as stiff as an old 4 ply bias ply tire from years ago. For me I sometimes go 2 lbs over what it written on the sidewall, that is only when the air from the compressor is hot. As it cools in the tire, the next morning it'll be to the recommended psi.

So my answer with all Dunlop tires is use what is recommended on the sidewall as the max air psi.

When you do research on the tires load capacity, the weight it'll carry is always with that max psi on the side wall.

[HMB Don]

Just an FYI, I got the certificates from Dunlop for this years Long Distance, Solo and Two riders. One Dunlop tire of your choice, for each category.

Yes you have to ride you motorcycle to the AVA International Rally, and home. No trailering allowed, even if you breakdown.

[alabama498]

Thanks Don.
So the max on the sidewall of the rear american elite says max 42 and the mc2 on the front also says 42. So I should go with what's on the tire and not what my dealer suggested. I've been running 40 in the front since last june with the mc2 and with the bridgestone oem that was on the front new which i got 15000 mIles out of. And was running 42 in the mc2 rear (not sure what was on the sidewall of the mc2 rear). Im wondering then why is there so many different opinions out there as to what pressure to run in a motorcycle tire. I'm very confused. Also why doesn't dunlop show a tire for the VN1700 on its Web site michelin recommends a 170/70 but many people run a 180/65 but it does show one for the voyager. I know you are not a tire expert but you should be with all the miles you put on your bike

Brad

[hank43]

Gottanother question: My bike is a trike, Dunlop says this tire will carry :American Elite Bias Front MT90B16 72H BW 34AE91 3.00 25.31 5.20 6/32 783 @ 40 <=======

783 pounds at 40# pressure. So, how do I figure the weight on the front wheel? I have 2 rear wheels - Does this take some of the weight off of the front? Champion, my trike mfgr. states the unloaded weight of the trike on my Kawasaki Voyager 1700 is about 1150 pounds. How much of that is on the front? how much with me and the wife on the trike is on the front wheel? (about 350 pounds for both of us) If the weight is evenly divided between the front and rear, then I am exceeding the weigh rating on this tire.

I think a trip to the dump to weigh just the front, then the rear, then the entire bike with both of us on it is in order? Just curious!!!

hank43

[cranky]

... trip to dump is in order!!! JM2C

the front / back is not 50 / 50!!! With you and wife, I'd guess more like 75 / 25 !!!

Best to Ya!!! @ to head out on a trip!!! .... seems forever!!

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/681+Dun ... 948948!3e0

[HMB Don]

Hank, I think front is 35 to 40% and 60 to 65% on the rear. Just look where Gert sits on the Trike almost on top of the rear tires. Also the front on a stock 1700 sits high so you have weight transfer to the rear. When you load the trunk you even have more weight transferred to the rear tires.

the best would be to have two scales one for the front and the other for the rear. But the dump or a public scale would be good.

The stock Voyager 1700 sits real high on the front. On mine when I changed the fork springs I took out 19.5 mm of spring preload, which dropped the front end. Now my Voyager 1700 has more weight on the front end. When I load up for a long trip and I use the luggage rack with a loaded bag, it unloads the front of my Voyager. Also my seat was made to move me forward 2 inches. I did this to load my front tires so it steers better in turns.