[Barnstormer37]

I'm curious about the "flat spot" in the center of this tire. The tires were on the bike when I bought it (it's a 2007), so I don't know how many miles on this tire. I thought the tires should have a round profile, not a flat area like this. It looks to be about 1" wide.

Is this because of wear or do these tires look like this when new? Looks like a lot of wear (miles) left on this tire, but it certainly looks odd to me. I've kept the pressure at 39 PSI cold since I got it, appx. 2,000 miles ridden by me.

 

[Daylight]

I'm curious about the "flat spot" in the center of this tire. The tires were on the bike when I bought it (it's a 2007), so I don't know how many miles on this tire. I thought the tires should have a round profile, not a flat area like this. It looks to be about 1" wide.

Is this because of wear or do these tires look like this when new? Looks like a lot of wear (miles) left on this tire, but it certainly looks odd to me. I've kept the pressure at 39 PSI cold since I got it, appx. 2,000 miles ridden by me.

That's been ridden for a few miles before you got it. That flat area (make certain that you check the depth of the grooves) does appear on E3s after a few thousand miles of riding.

ymmv, but I find that with aggressive riding, I'm getting about 12,000 miles out of a set of E3 front tires.

 

[05nwl]

That looks normal. Your pressure is about right. I run 38 front and 41 rear and get 15,000 miles out of E3's. Maintain the pressure, check them often and ride....no matter what tire you run.

 

[HBarlow]

That's normal wear on an Elite 3. When fresh the Elite 3 tread grooves do not extend across the tread center. With lots of interstate highway travel as they wear they show a flat area in the center.

 

[FlyBoy007]

I believe due to lack of cornering they are called "chicken strips".

 

[Farmguy]

Harder rubber compound in the centre, intended to improve length of tire life while not reducing cornering peformance (or softer sides to improve cornering without reducing tire life)

 

[murf]

Harder rubber compound in the centre, intended to improve length of tire life while not reducing cornering peformance (or softer sides to improve cornering without reducing tire life)

Dunlop Elite 3 tires are not dual compound tires. Neither are the D250's. Here is the answer from Dunlop when I asked them if Elite 3's and D250's were dual compound tires. :doorag:


Dunlop Tire Contact Form Submission, Comments :

Are the D250 and Elite 3 tires for the GL 1800 a 2CT (dual compound) tire
having a harder compound in the center of the tire and a softer compound
for better grip on either side, or are they a single compound tire?


Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your Dunlop motorcycle
tire questions. Neither of the two tire models referenced are
multi-compound tires.

"Dunlop Tire"
<[email protected]>
[email protected]

 

[Rocketman911]

Looks like the only time the bike was leaned was when it was on the side stand!:22yikes:

 

[bgross]

chicken strips

I believe due to lack of cornering they are called "chicken strips".

And I thought my chicken strips were wide!

Here's a photo of my old E3 @ 18,000 miles. Clearly visible is 1) the center 'flat spot' (I do a lot of freeway miles), 2) the two areas of less wear from cornering, and 3) the chicken strips on the outside.

 

[Farmguy]

Dunlop Elite 3 tires are not dual compound tires. Neither are the D250's. Here is the answer from Dunlop when I asked them if Elite 3's and D250's were dual compound tires. :doorag:


Dunlop Tire Contact Form Submission, Comments :

Are the D250 and Elite 3 tires for the GL 1800 a 2CT (dual compound) tire
having a harder compound in the center of the tire and a softer compound
for better grip on either side, or are they a single compound tire?


Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your Dunlop motorcycle
tire questions. Neither of the two tire models referenced are
multi-compound tires.

"Dunlop Tire"
<[email protected]>
[email protected]

Thanks for the correction - I'm not sure where I got the idea they were dual compound.

I wonder why they wear that way then. The centre strip on ours is usually 'higher' than the side strips. I haven't been able to find a pressure that results in a different wear pattern.

 

[rjmelehan]

Thanks for the correction - I'm not sure where I got the idea they were dual compound.

I wonder why they wear that way then. The centre strip on ours is usually 'higher' than the side strips. I haven't been able to find a pressure that results in a different wear pattern.

Huh ?
We are being punked, Right ?

RJ

 

[Gary Klavans]

Normal E-3 wear pattern; don't be concerned about it. My last set did 18k with perfectly even side-to-side wear and little tread deformation... the "strip" appeared after the first few thousand miles.

Keep your pressures up for the best wear; I personally run 41f/43r cold. :thumbup:

 

[UNCLEJOHN]

got 17, 500 on mine an leaving for 2500 mile trip thur plenty left n wear is even 38 lbs happy with tire