Dunlop D616 - ATTP candidate?

[Violione]

Here is another tire question for the NEPRT or even the ATTP (Ashe Tire Testing Program); Has anyone tried the Dunlop D616 tires yet? My Metz Z6's are about 70% spent and I am really liking the tread pattern and write up on this tire, sounds like they fit my style of riding.

Info links:

https://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/...unlop_tires.htm

https://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=93

I believe they were developed for the Buell Ulysses (which now uses the Pirelli Scorpion Sync as OEM's), but are being marketed as high-performance sport touring tires by Dunlop. What do y'all think?

 

[dhalen32]

V:

They came as original equipment on my Ulysses and I like them just fine. I believe the tire is a just SportMax with a dirt/gravel tread pattern. They do have a reputation for hunting left and right similar to what you might feel on rain grooved pavement. I can feel it slightly on the Buell but I do not have any experience on the FJR to share with you. Do they have sufficient load rating to use on a loaded FJR? The Buell crowd seems enamored of the Pirellis these days. If they are the correct size for your FJR you might find a Buell dealer willing to sell you a set of 616s very cheap.

Dave

 

[Violione]

dlhalen32,

Thanks for the reply. Yes they are the correct load rating and size for the FJR. The FJR is a bit heaver than the Ulysses, but not by much. How are you liking the Ulysses? Is it truly a road bike or can it go down a fire road or two? Here's the ultimate question; would you take the Ulysses to Alaska and say over the Canole Road, Dalton Hwy and up to Prudhoe Bay or would that be a foolish unadvised bike to do that trip on?

 

[HaulinAshe]

I have not run Dunflops since... well it's been a long time. The last ones I can remember were MX tires and that was before Michelin intro'd the MS2 and MS3 series.

That D616 tread pattern is very interesting. Sorry, but my queue is full right now. The biggest concern I have for the 616 is their statement about NOT mixing it with anything else. That's a bit unusual and worth noting.

 

[dhalen32]

dlhalen32,
Thanks for the reply. Yes they are the correct load rating and size for the FJR. The FJR is a bit heaver than the Ulysses, but not by much. How are you liking the Ulysses? Is it truly a road bike or can it go down a fire road or two? Here's the ultimate question; would you take the Ulysses to Alaska and say over the Canole Road, Dalton Hwy and up to Prudhoe Bay or would that be a foolish unadvised bike to do that trip on?

V:

I work part time for a Harley dealer running their Rider's Edge program. I purchased my first Harley (a Dyna Low Rider) from them 3 years ago. While incredibly reliable and very well finished, the bike was just not my cup of tea. They were always trying to get me on a Buell since most of my "pleasure" riding is done with fellow sport bike riders on the curving roads and bluffs of western Iowa. When they offered me an even swap for the Ulysses I took the deal and could not be happier. We have a lot of gravel roads here and the Ulysses seems to perform very well on them. However, I'm no expert on dirt/offroad riding so I cannot answer your Alaska question with any authority or expertise. From what I have read you would probably be better served with a bike with a more offroad bias than the Buell. The Buell has a small diameter front wheel (good for sport bike rubber, not for dirt work) a low muffler and belt drive. These traits have been criticized by people who seem more experienced with off road bikes than I.

I cannot say enough good things about it's performance on paved surfaces. The steering is incredibly quick and I have yet to find anything to complain about with it's brakes or suspension. It does vibrate a lot more than an I-4 and it is very hot at low forward speeds. It keeps trying to cook the underside of my right thigh. Like the Harley it has proven to be very reliable and once you get past it's homely looks it is a very nice, comfortable, quick bike to ride.

Dave

 

[Violione]

dlhalen32,

Thanks for your input! That's one of the reasons I like this forum, good people who tell you straight up info! I actually like the look of the Ulysses, IMO it is the best looking bike Buell has in their product line. My Alaska question is because, although I love my 06 FJR AE, Alaska is probably going to be a one time deal and some of the places I would like to visit are only accessible by dirt roads that otherwise would beat up my FJR's body work. I know there have been a lot of other people to ride FJR's, BMW [R, RT GT's] an Guzzi's etc. etc... to Alaska on those roads, but I can't help but to notice most of the bikes are dual sports like KLR650's, Vstrom's, BMW F650- & R GS, Tigers, Translaps. All thought the Ulysses would make a good Alaska bike, I too am no dirt riding expert and the points you made about the front tire, muffler and belt drive make sense to a non-dirt biker, but hell, I am not looking to go wallowing in the mud with! Just looking for a bike that can do some part time dirt road duty without tearing itself up, if you know what I mean?

Thanks again and ride safe,

Violione

 

[Violione]

Hey JeffAshe,

I think the Dunlop disclaimer statement of "Do not mix these radials with other radials or non-radials, fit only in pairs." is a two fold Ass Covering Disclaimer Statement (ACDS). 1) They want to sell more tires, so when the rear gives up the ghost and the front can go a few more K..... 2) they are also talking about mixing radials and non-radial tires on the bike. Believe it or not, there are some folk out there that don't know the difference!. And because Dunlop sells both radial and bias tires, they make the ACDS because some dumb ass out there will mix them, crash and sue Dunlop. That ACDS is on all the tires on the Dunlop site and I have seen similar ACDS on other tire corp sites.

Sorry, I am not trying to come across as some know-it-all butt head, just didn't want others to wonder about Dunlop's intention. And no, I do not work for Dunlop or any of it's holdings. I'm just some schmo from Virginia! B)

Have a good one and ride safe,

Violione