Dunlop D205B Impressions

[Buckelew]

I've run ME880's since Feb 2001 when I picked up my 2001 K1200LT brand-spankin'-new. Almost 60k miles. My last set wasn't ready to retire but I figured I'd put on new shoes for a trip to the northwest.

So I ordered a set of the Dunlop D205B's. B is for Bias Ply. The tires were mounted last weekend and I've commuted this week on them.

Impressions;
* softer sidewall transmitting less of a jolt on abrupt pavement transitions
* more triangular front tire - quicker turn-ins. The bike just wants to fall in to turns. The Dunlops I ran on my Ducati Superbike were like this. It gives greater contact area when leaned over. Just takes getting used to.
* the front tire tracks straight and true. Unlike the Metzelers, the Dunlops don't follow cracks or grooves in the pavement. In northern Cal., the Caltrans people grind the white stripes off of the pavement when they move lanes. The Metzelers would freak out and move all over the place on these strips - disconcerting at first. The Dunlops just go where the bike is pointed and takes no notice of these types of things.

I'll report back after the trip up north.

[Tom1200]

I didn't know that Dunlop had a tire rated for the LT. I thought you had a choice of 3. The Metzler's, Bridgestone's and the Avalon.

[BecketMa]

My bike came with Dunlops.

I went thru two rear tires in less than 4K miles, flat tires. I changed to BS and was on my third rear tire before I got another flat.

Hope you get to enjoy them till they are bald.

Bob

[RealWing]

My bike came with Dunlops.

I went thru two rear tires in less than 4K miles, flat tires. I changed to BS and was on my third rear tire before I got another flat.

Hope you get to enjoy them till they are bald.

Bob

Bob

Were these tires that lasted ~ 4K miles the D205B model tire?

[dshealey]

My first LT in 2000 had Dunlop D205Bs on it. Not a bad tire, but not very good either. Decent mileage, about 10,000 on both, which is unusual for an LT as the front usually goes long before the rear. The worst thing about the Dunlops then (maybe they have changed something since) was the extreme noise when about half worn. By far the noisiest tire I ever had on an LT. They howled like banshees at ANY lean angle, so much so that just moving from near the centerline of a two lane road to near the edge caused howling when riding straight due to the crown angle of the pavement! Slight turns also cause a lot of noise.

I sure hope that Dunlop has made changes in the tires since then.

However, they were Bias Ply, but did not slip on wet pavementlike the Metzeler 880s did for me! For that reason, if I were forced to pick between 880s and D205Bs I would probably go with the Dunlops. I would not take either over Bridgestones, or maybe the newer Avons though. Bridgestones being first choice for me.

[BecketMa]

Unfortunately, I don't remember the model number.

Something about memory going as a sign of old age?

Bob, 0H Oh LT

[HarvRead]

My experience with the D205B's was several years ago: They lasted less than HALF as long as the 880's, a deal breaker for me. Alao they cupped very badly on the front.

[kmurphy165]

I've been running 205s for a couple of years now with excellent results. I've had less cupping on the front than with the Metz 880s and less noise. I've run for 2 days straight over 1600 miles at 80+ in 100 deg heat at gross weight with absolutely no problems. High speed stability is excellent and I've been very pleased with responsiveness in carving canyons. Oh, I can also attest to an amazing degree of traction on ice. It takes a cross wind of 40 mph to break the ice traction sideways. While I've not used the BT020s, in comparison to the Metz 880s, I'd do the Dunlops again. Lastly, the Dunlop is less expensive from my shop than the Metz or Bridgestones.

Karl

[deedeerrr]

I used Dunlops several years ago. Got about 10,000 on both front and rear. Handling was good for my style of riding. My problem was the rear was physically larger than the ME880 and needed to get a larger spacer or it would rub the swingarm.

[Buckelew]

I've run ME880's since Feb 2001 when I picked up my 2001 K1200LT brand-spankin'-new. Almost 60k miles. My last set wasn't ready to retire but I figured I'd put on new shoes for a trip to the northwest.

So I ordered a set of the Dunlop D205B's. B is for Bias Ply. The tires were mounted last weekend and I've commuted this week on them.

Impressions;
* softer sidewall transmitting less of a jolt on abrupt pavement transitions
* more triangular front tire - quicker turn-ins. The bike just wants to fall in to turns. The Dunlops I ran on my Ducati Superbike were like this. It gives greater contact area when leaned over. Just takes getting used to.
* the front tire tracks straight and true. Unlike the Metzelers, the Dunlops don't follow cracks or grooves in the pavement. In northern Cal., the Caltrans people grind the white stripes off of the pavement when they move lanes. The Metzelers would freak out and move all over the place on these strips - disconcerting at first. The Dunlops just go where the bike is pointed and takes no notice of these types of things.

I'll report back after the trip up north.

returned from the trip; 2203 miles door to door. going over the snoqualomie pass into seattle, we hit rain, snow, and rain in that order. no issues.

spent the day in rain from seattle to vancouver with a side trip. Again, no issues- just lots of confidence.

After 3-400 miles, the bike no longer drops into turns - I attibute this to center wear.

No flat tires. no special fitting problems.

No howling, bike still tracks straight, doesn't follow lines, nice and quiet with nice ride qualities. Still softer than the metzeler at the same inflation pressures. And the Smartire monitor tells me that 42/48 is what's right for this tire with a passenger. I could probably run a psi or two less solo, but it runs fine solo also.

I like this tire. mucho de los bettero than the Metzeler so far.