Why are the stock dunlops not liked?

[Molsan]

So far this is my first bike so i have little baisis for comparison.

But so far the tires seem good to me, i have gotten a good tire life out of them and have not had traction issues?

With a focus towards tread life what tires do ppl suggest? that are as good or better than the stock.

[jev]

When time comes to replace them, go with a different brand and compare. Dunlops cup badly on the front and the grip sucks. I've tried many different brands and for all around use, the avon storms fit me well. I get great wet/dry traction plus great mileage.

[Nepix]

there are alot of arguments and long threads here on which tire is the best

my stock tires lasted about 6500 miles, I tried to buy new ones that were the stock dunlops and the shop said I couldn't. I dont really know why, just remember when they replace your tires to ride on the side of caution for a couple hundred miles. your tires have wax on them from the mold that they come out of and it can be pretty slippery.

Michelin makes a tire/tyre called pilot power road 2CT gives you a soft compound on the edges and a hard compound in the center. so If you do alot of commuting, its good for the freeways.

i wanted them, but my shop said that they had to order them and I was too impatient to wait :D

Right now I have Pirelli Diablo's I like them alot Ive put close to 4000 miles on them they handle fine, they slipped once when I went through a long puddle but hey water is slippery right?

[Molsan]

thanks, one further question, i replaced my rear with another stock and it is time to replace the front.
can i miss match tires?
I have no idea what to go with, may have to make a call based on availability

[drewl]

some people say now way on mixing brands due to differences that can affect handling-different treads follow different lines and corner differently.

The dunlops are known for cupping as stated above and the rear tires do not wear well. I had many miles on mine, but did not realize how crappy they were until I replaced them.

read old threads on tire reviews-new tire/oil threads are the thorn in our sides

[Nungboy]

My stock tires are the Metzlers so I can't give an opinion on the Dunlops but it is true that they do catch alot of bad reviews.

[Molsan]

My stock tires are the Metzlers so I can't give an opinion on the Dunlops but it is true that they do catch alot of bad reviews.

double checked and mine are Metzlers not dunlope sorry when people said dunlope stock tires suck i started to worry.

[Action]

Dunlop is making a new dual compound tire called the Roadsmart. So far it's getting pretty good reviews. The local Honda shop has them for 217 a pair which seems good for a dual compound tire.

Action

[Nungboy]

Metzlers in general seem to have a good reputation. Interesting that you have 'em Molsan...
I think ours (M4's or Z4's I think) are not nearly as cool-o-neat-o as their other tires. My hunch is that VFR owners like the stock Metzlers more than the stock Dunlops but I think you'd feel a big difference with some premium rubber...
and yes, check the historic threads for all those other tire threads...lots of opinions!

[KC-10 FE]

My OEM Dunlop D204k's had all the feel & feedback of bricks being rubbed on the road surface. When turning, it actually felt like I was wrestling the bike over a hump & then the bike fell abruptly into the turn. The front started looked like snake scales after about 5K. Because of those tires, I am almost unwilling to even consider Dunlop tires.

Having endured this far to long, I made the single best move I've ever made involving two wheel other than actually buying my VFR. I switched to Continental Road Attacks. To say I was impressed would have been an understatement. The RA's improved the feel of the bike so much that I wrote a letter of appreciation to Continental thanking them. I am not exaggerating, the RA's actually made me a better rider since I now have 1000% more confidence in my bike.

I've written this before & here it is again. Continental Road Attack's should be the OEM tire for the Honda VFR.

Metzeler makes great tires. I have M1's on the Hawk GT & they stick like fly paper. They don't wear as long as I would like & I'm debating whether to use RA's on the Hawk next or try Metzeler M3's.

KC-10 FE out...

[Taz]

Stock tyres on Bikes & cars are usally look like the premier tyres of the same brands, but often are a discounted old on the shelf quality.

That being said, the Current Dunlop Qualifiers & RoadSmarts have had the top reviews in "ALL" magazines with other top names close to them.

I've had Pirelli's, Metzlers, Dunlops, that came on bikes that cupped & gave back shi_ty feedback.

So in the last 5 years when purchasing new bikes, I replace the tyres when dealer prep is happening & B-4 I p/u the bike.

I then put the stock tyres on craigslist & sell them to stunters that it doesn't matter what tyre it is, because they destroy them in a short time period.

Oh & Metzler is owned by Pirelli

For a VFR all around tyre you just can't go wrong with the Dunlop RoadSmart or the Conti Road Attacks

[Joey_Dude]

My OEM Dunlop D204k's had all the feel & feedback of bricks being rubbed on the road surface. When turning, it actually felt like I was wrestling the bike over a hump & then the bike fell abruptly into the turn.

Having endured this far to long, I made the single best move I've ever made involving two wheel other than actually buying my VFR. I switched to Continental Road Attacks. To say I was impressed would have been an understatement.

I've written this before & here it is again. Continental Road Attack's should be the OEM tire for the Honda VFR.

That's how I felt too when I switched from the original "Dunflops" to the Road Attacks. Wow, what a difference! You can call it one of the best performance upgrades you can do for the VFR.

But you're just going to have to try a new tire so you can see for yourself what the big deal is. Think of it like getting wine-in-a-box from wal-mart. After a while you'll think it's pretty damn good but if you go to a real liquor store and buy wine in a real bottle you'll wonder why you wasted all that money with the wine-in-a-box.

You can get Road Attacks at a real good price from www.ridedirect.com

Go ahead, do it. It'll feel good trust me

[Molsan]

alright i'm convinced, Road attacks!
now do i do both at once or can i do the front then the rear?

[Action]

alright i'm convinced, Road attacks!
now do i do both at once or can i do the front then the rear?

Both! Keep the good tire for a spare or sell it on e-bay.

Action

[John451]

My OEM Dunlop D204k's had all the feel & feedback of bricks being rubbed on the road surface.

The OEM D204's on my previous Gen 6 were ok but went off after riding with meaning through my favourite Alpine twisites, by off the compound felt like I was riding on butter even though only had 2500 miles on them...Pilot Powers fixed that and never cooked them no matter how hard they were thrashed, have been impressed with my current Pilot Road 2's so far.

[bitterpil]

alright i'm convinced, Road attacks!
now do i do both at once or can i do the front then the rear?

Do more research. Tires like everything else are a opinion based purchase Item. I looked at the road attacks and the Avon Storm. The issue was the availabilty. I had the Metz on my bike at OEM and had trouble with them. Lots of tire mfgs deal with wear life with compounds the Avon Stoms do it via belt design and flexbility. Dunlop and Mich do it via a two or multi compound recipe.

Different tires have different shapes and they are built for different riding conditions. If you commute and occasionally hit twities I would look at the various sport touring tires such as the Pilot roads. If you like to test every corner on your commute and hit the twisties when you get a chance you should look at the more sport based tires like the michelin Pilot power 2ct avon viper or Pirelli diablos. Tires affect the handling of your bike and they all carry different traits. most of them are good for day to day stuff but be aware that longer lasting usually means harder compound which equals less grip. I know that his is a bit of over simplification but.....
Touring tires have a more rounded contour and are made for just that touring. Sport tires have a subtle cone shape that makes for a quicker turn in can add to the agility of the bike.

So after all that Im not recommenting a tire but research of tires. Understanding of what role tires play on your bike and what they add or subtract from your ride.

[Molsan]

And thats what makes it hard to reasearch many reviews focus on the stickyness and how they feel...but i do mostly your and commute(wish i rode hard more often.

[bitterpil]

Well stickyness is a virtue. Also they contribute so much to handling and your confidence as a rider. Rain, cornering, life cylce, riding style, etc... Remember your contact patch is only a little bigger than a quater. Again most of these tieres will work fine for you once you move up and off of the OEM models. I had always liked the metz until at 50% of the tread live they started letting go in the corners.

Since I was always a michelin guy for my ars and trucks I like to company and the reputation for quality. I went with the power pilot 2ct. It is like night and day compaied to the OEM metz. The power roads might be what you are lookign for though.

The reason I suggest this is that most honda shops are going to have these in stock.

[mello dude]

My OEM Dunlop D204k's had all the feel & feedback of bricks being rubbed on the road surface. When turning, it actually felt like I was wrestling the bike over a hump & then the bike fell abruptly into the turn. The front started looked like snake scales after about 5K. Because of those tires, I am almost unwilling to even consider Dunlop tires.

KC-10 FE out...

Those old 204's were horrible tires - designed in the mid 1990's. Definately junk. Dunlops current tires are 4 to 5 generations up on that old technology.
I'm running the Qualifiers sport tire and no complaints. It sticks hard in the corners and if I want to change lines and tighten up, they give great feedback, I know the Q's are gonna be there when I want it.
Some people are trying the RoadSmart Dual compound sport touring tire, I may try those too, but I'm reluctant to give up the maximum stick of the Q's in the corners. I know that theres no way the Q's are gonna get 5k mile in wear though........

MD

[bitterpil]

And thats what makes it hard to reasearch many reviews focus on the stickyness and how they feel...but i do mostly your and commute(wish i rode hard more often.

Things other than opinions and tire ratings went into my tire purchase. For example after all of my research I wanted the AVON Storm ST tires I liked the technology / theory behind the tire. I also had interest in the new michelin 2CTs and the Conti road attacks. The issue I found when going to purchase tires is that AVON tires are not really available as stock items form most shops in my area. Neither were the Contis. Looks like most stores carry Dunlop and Michelin as stock items. I could find tires online all over the place but since I don't change my tires often enough to purchase the tire tools (bead breaker, tire irons and alignment rack) I am going to rely on my shop to swich tires for me. Knowing how widely available teh dunlop and Michelins were as far as stock was concerend I settled for the Mich 2CTs. I figured that if I go out on a trip I am more likely to find a replacement of the sam manufacture where ever I am.
Also Dunlop is making a new Roadsmart tire that is pretty much a direct competitor of the 2CT.

Now. That said I don't think I could have purchased a much better tire that the 2ct for the type of riding I do so all in all I am happy. I commute much of the time but make everything out of each and every corner.

Good Luck with your purchase enjoy your riding.

[R.W.]

alright i'm convinced, Road attacks!
now do i do both at once or can i do the front then the rear?

You made a wise choice! I've been so impressed with the Road Attack that I had a choice between the Corsa 3's and the Road Attacks for the same price and i choose the Conti's because of the extra mileage. Here's a couple of paragraphs that I coped and pasted from a article that all tire noobies should read...





Street riders will get a greater level of traction and more life out of a street tire that is designed to withstand hundreds of heat cycles and operate at a lower temperature. And in fact, most modern "sport-touring" tires will providea better level of grip for 90% of all street riders than sportier counterparts. Only an elite few, and they are probably not reading this anyway, can use the full potential of a Michelin Pilot Power.



The moral of this story is not to be so afraid of riding on tires designed to last a bit longer. Honestly evaluate the type of riding you do and make your decision based on that information. If you mostly drone up and down the interstate on your way to work with an occasional weekend jaunt up the canyon, you probably don't need as much tire as the rider does lots of high-speed track days, and has never worn out the center of a tire. Most of us will never be able to over-ride a modern "sport-touring" tire during very spirited street riding unless we are using incorrect riding form and style. I have seen all of these touring-based tires on racetracks and on colder track days, the touring tires came up to temperature quicker and provided MORE grip than the race tires. So much so, that after a track session, the race tires were, literally, cold to the touch, while the touring tires were nice and warm. Plus, you get the huge benefit of not having to change tires every time you change your oil.

Full article

.: Motorcycle Tire Tips | Canyon Chasers Motorcycle Sport Touring :.

[1985VF700F]

Granted I have a 1985 700 and I don't ride very aggressively, I will still pay to have good rubber. I have always run Metzeler but they have stopped making my rear (I have bumped up to a 150/70-18). Avon Storm-ST comes in my rear but not front. I can get my front and rear in Avon Roadrider. Can anyone give a thumbs up or down on this make and model?

I know the standard answer to this, but what if I keep my 70% new Metz Laser Comp K up front and get a Storm for the back. Has anyone tried mismatching and thought it worked okay?

After reading all the treads here, I’m going to research available sizes in the Conti Road Attacks. Seams like everyone here likes them. My next try after that will be Pilots. I have also considered Battleaxes. What do you all think of those?

Thanks,

[RVFR]

Ha, tire threads. ya gota love em, say what you want about your Contis RA if those that went Dunlop to Contis and thought those where a huge improvement, then go one up again and try on a set of Corsas. There, I said my piece.

[redrider_99]

My OEM Dunlop D204k's had all the feel & feedback of bricks being rubbed on the road surface. When turning, it actually felt like I was wrestling the bike over a hump & then the bike fell abruptly into the turn....

KC-10 FE out...

I'm going to get lynched for reviving a year old tire thread, but I can't help it, I have to share.

I got my new VFR just a couple weeks ago and had the EXACT same experience that KC-10 FE explained. I was talking to my brother about it and he mentioned he had tires do that before when they were too low.

I checked mine and they were at about 30 front and rear (which would be close to my typical setting, mind you.) I bumped them up to 36F 42R like the manual suggests and the bike was instantly "normal" with an extremely neutral steering character.

Thought I'd mention that to anyone with the D204K's left on their bike.

[deepdish]

My OEM Dunlop D204k's had all the feel & feedback of bricks being rubbed on the road surface. When turning, it actually felt like I was wrestling the bike over a hump & then the bike fell abruptly into the turn. The front started looked like snake scales after about 5K. Because of those tires, I am almost unwilling to even consider Dunlop tires.

Having endured this far to long, I made the single best move I've ever made involving two wheel other than actually buying my VFR. I switched to Continental Road Attacks. To say I was impressed would have been an understatement. The RA's improved the feel of the bike so much that I wrote a letter of appreciation to Continental thanking them. I am not exaggerating, the RA's actually made me a better rider since I now have 1000% more confidence in my bike.

I've written this before & here it is again. Continental Road Attack's should be the OEM tire for the Honda VFR.

Metzeler makes great tires. I have M1's on the Hawk GT & they stick like fly paper. They don't wear as long as I would like & I'm debating whether to use RA's on the Hawk next or try Metzeler M3's.

KC-10 FE out...

kc I thought you now have the pirelli on there now ?? are they good ?? i have metz on mine and really can't complain what ever tire i have i can spin it in wet or slide it braking to hard on street but I have had dunlop 208 love them and michellins and love them as well...and have made all fronts cupped thats to much hard breaking and not keeping up with tire pressure, but stock dunlop i have had those and yes as stated they are just rim protectors..myself put a good front on the back should wear 2 times the front...If possible always match tires accordingly but I have ran a bais ply in front and a radial in back it worked but it does have a wierd roll in or lean over feeling but hell i got the tires for 50 bucks..

[KC-10 FE]

I'm going to get lynched for reviving a year old tire thread, but I can't help it, I have to share.

I got my new VFR just a couple weeks ago and had the EXACT same experience that KC-10 FE explained. I was talking to my brother about it and he mentioned he had tires do that before when they were too low.

I checked mine and they were at about 30 front and rear (which would be close to my typical setting, mind you.) I bumped them up to 36F 42R like the manual suggests and the bike was instantly "normal" with an extremely neutral steering character.

Thought I'd mention that to anyone with the D204K's left on their bike.

Don't feel bad about reviving an old thread, if you have a question, that's what a web forum is. I am fanatical about my tire pressure. I check it no less than it once a week.

kc I thought you now have the pirelli on there now ?? are they good ?? i have metz on mine and really can't complain what ever tire i have i can spin it in wet or slide it braking to hard on street but I have had dunlop 208 love them and michellins and love them as well...and have made all fronts cupped thats to much hard breaking and not keeping up with tire pressure, but stock dunlop i have had those and yes as stated they are just rim protectors..myself put a good front on the back should wear 2 times the front...If possible always match tires accordingly but I have ran a bais ply in front and a radial in back it worked but it does have a wierd roll in or lean over feeling but hell i got the tires for 50 bucks..

Dude... That post was over a year ago. I do indeed have Diablo Corsa III's on the bike currently. No doubt, there are a great (& I do mean GREAT) tire. Pretty much the only bad thing I can say at the moment is they aren't as good in the rain as the RA is.

You are also the first person I've ever heard that loved D208's. I think they suck too. The D220? Crap. The SportMax? Crap. The Qualifier? It's OK but I think Pilot's or Diablo's or the BT016 are all better tires.

In the end, it doesn't matter what I or you think about our tires. If person X likes his tires & can ride his bike just fine, then those tires are the tires for him. If person Y say person X's tires are crap, does that really matter or mean anything? Not really, now does it?

KC-10 FE out...

[Nungboy]

Thanks KC...good feedback. I'd really like to dump the OEM Metzlers from my VFR. I knew they were fairly cheesy before but after riding my Daytona with the Pirelli Super Corsa SPs I am very interested in the Pirellis (or the Michelins) for the VFR. Thanks!

[Bubba Zanetti]

Thanks KC...good feedback. I'd really like to dump the OEM Metzlers from my VFR. I knew they were fairly cheesy before but after riding my Daytona with the Pirelli Super Corsa SPs I am very interested in the Pirellis (or the Michelins) for the VFR. Thanks!

Super Corsa's come stock on your 675?Please take that thing to the track now!

BZ

[Nungboy]

Super Corsa's come stock on your 675?Please take that thing to the track now!

BZ

Yes! I know what you mean...they are begging to be set free!

[KC-10 FE]

Thanks KC...good feedback. I'd really like to dump the OEM Metzlers from my VFR. I knew they were fairly cheesy before but after riding my Daytona with the Pirelli Super Corsa SPs I am very interested in the Pirellis (or the Michelins) for the VFR. Thanks!

Are your Daytona tires extremely tall & peaked? The Daytona I looked at in the dealer looked as if the tires were installed on a rim that was too narrow. That's what I was referring to in my Corsa III review. The Super Corsa has a very strange looking profile.

KC-10 FE out...