Dunlop Elite 3 or Dunlop American Elite

[crazy joe]

Other then the tread pattern what is the difference in tires?
Thanks in advance

[fbn ent]

Joe, just type in American Elite in the Search box and read away.

[crazy joe]

I did   can't really see much difference.
One has two different compounds made in it
harder in the center softer on the sides.
Would like some first hand opinions.

[calif phil]

Both are good I prefer the American elite's dual compound.   Long wearing and traction. 

[bigfoot5x]

The American Elite tires are the same dual compound tire that comes stock on 2009 or newer touring bikes. Mileage is up around 16,000 miles on a rear tire. That's my experience and the same with some friends. The Elite III's are the older tire for older bikes with single compound tires and probably get around 10,000 miles. Again, my experience with an 07 bike here.

[crazy joe]

Ha!!! I have a 03 does that mean I can only use the E3's : )

[Ohio HD]

No, they make American Elites in your size.

[Breeze]

I've had two D402' HD tires on the rear of my '07 E.G.Classic avg. was 7,400 miles ea.
I had one E3 on it, changed at 12,000 miles. Had tread left, but  I was going on a long trip so I changed it.
I have an American Elite on it now with 3,500 miles. 6/32" tread new, now at 5/32" (barely).
I never fell off on any of them, so I can't make a handling claim. 

[crazy joe]

Yes on tires for the year of my bike was just making fun cus I'm
bored out of my mind   whats left of it.

[wholehog]

I know that my E3s sidewalls where really stiff and a bitch to mount

[calif phil]

That is one thing I like about the Dunlops.   I think the tire will stay on the rim better in case of a puncture. 

[92flhtcu]

Bigfoot-Nope, the stock tires are 407 and 408, not the same recipe, cord count, cord wrap count or cord layout pattern as the American Elite, nor is it the same as the Elite2 mentioned earlier, nor the Elite3, the American Elite is all its own. That being said, the OE Harley replacement 407T is the same in all those specs, except tread pattern. All of the Dunlops that are made as HD replacement tires(401/402/elite3/Am Elites/591/some 404) are mfg in Buffalo NY
January '14 they became available in the older HD sizes so you can upgrade from the 401/402/591
$50 consumer rebate on a pair of American Elites now thru April 30

[Admiral Akbar]

From what I've seen I like the Elites better. The seem to have a slightly better profile for cornering.. They seemed a little twitchy at first tho they've gotten better.. I think the E3s at least the 150x80x16 is a more squared profile.. Ive gotten close to 9K on an E3. and I only get 5-6 for the older (402?) tire.. About 5K for Metz, Little over 4K for Avon Cobra.

[MaxxV4]

I think the A.E. has a higher load capacity than the E-3.

[calif phil]

The E3's are only available in Blackwall, the AE tires do come in whitewall. 

[bigfoot5x]

My reply comes from a Dunlop Rep at Harley's 110th Anniversary. I was riding a brand new 2013 StreetGlide and was wondering about the cost when it came to replace the rear tire because I new the stock tire from Harley was a lot more expensive than the tires on my 07 StreetGlide. He told me the American Elite is the exact same dual rubber compound as the stock Harley tire. Harley would not let Dunlop offer the tire with the same tread design so Dunlop changed it, but the tires were the same internally. This from a Dunlop rep. It may or may not be the truth.

FLHTCU, where do you get your information? I don't really care when they became available or if the American Elites are available for older bikes, but it is an improvement for guys that have them. I'm curious what makes you think the tires are so different.

[BUBBIE]

I just replace Both front and rear on my 09 KING.. Really get good handling n Safety... You could Not bend the front tire and YES Tough to put on...

That is why I go to the tire Mounting Man @ Cochise Motor Sport... I Buy them there at a discount and get another labor discount to boot... That is  at about 180$ less than the local HD shop for both. Off and On the bike front and back No Problem. They deal with a Lot of Harleys.

That Big back tire and Front tire on the 09  A/E  and Out the door UNDER 500$. They did all the work off the bike and on the bike.

Also getting GOOD mileage on them BUT I Like Breeze Change Before needed... Safety is my Motto...

signed....BUBBIE

[bigfoot5x]

I buy mine off the internet and have a local guy that will do it cheap if I bring him the wheel and new tire. A whole lot cheaper than riding into the dealer and buying their tires.

[texaskatfish]

Still a fan of E3s here - I get 11,500 - 13,000 miles on the rear & approx 20K on the fronts (have not tried the American Elites yet)

My indy makes a small mark up on tires (as is his right of course to make a living!).........and he does the install for no charge

bottom line the tab is a few bucks cheaper than any HD dealer in my area - BUT even if it was the SAME cost - I know personally the hands that are working on it..........

[moose]

just had a dunlop ae go bad only on the inborard edge very wavy  the outside was fine  i have used these tires for the last 3 changes this is the first time it has happened. Had the rep look at it and he did nothing  just saying

i change tires too much just bought a coats 220 so I can do my tires myself

[wholehog]

That is one thing I like about the Dunlops.   I think the tire will stay on the rim better in case of a puncture.

me too....had a Commander1 go squirrely on the rear at very low speed.....the sidewalls on that tire are like a limp dick but it does make them easy to mount

[04 SE Deuce]

Not likely you will see a bagger application were the tire still has center tread and the sides are bald so I would run the softer sided American Elites.  The softer sides will provide better grip and the tire will wear more uniform...not as square.

FWIW,  I had a casual conversation with a Dunlop rep. last year,  not someone that I have a rapport with or confidence in.  He said the American Elite was basically the same as the 407/408 Harley tires when the AE first was introduced but that the American Elite receives updates/improvements on a regular basis where as the Harley tires stay true to original spec for several years as contracted by Harley.   A more serious inquiry with Dunlop could confirm or deny.  -Rick

[klammer76]

From what I've seen I like the Elites better. The seem to have a slightly better profile for cornering.. They seemed a little twitchy at first tho they've gotten better.. I think the E3s at least the 150x80x16 is a more squared profile.. Ive gotten close to 9K on an E3. and I only get 5-6 for the older (402?) tire.. About 5K for Metz, Little over 4K for Avon Cobra.

I agree, mine were also twitchy at first. Made me think something was wrong at first. I switched from Metzler & Avon also because I just couldn't get any mileage from them, around 6500 to 7000 for a rear. Hope these wear longer.

klammer

[92flhtcu]

Bigfoot, I got all that info standing in Dunlop's Buffalo plant talking to the guys that assemble the tires, watching the cords being being made, watching the cord layout process, etc. I watched and discussed for the better part of a day 407, 408 and American Elites being assembled. The material carts are all specifically marked with what is what and where it is going.
Early on in the American Elite's history, some reps knew what they were exactly and others did not

[bigfoot5x]

So my info is 3 years old and out of date assuming the Dunlop rep was even telling the truth at that time! At any rate, I bought the American Elite to replace the stock tire based on what the rep said and have not been disappointed.