Dunlop D205 Tires for K1200LT

[Buckelew]

Anyone use these? I'll be swapping tires soon and have been using the Metzeler since new. Thinking about changing to these.

[mneblett]

Anyone use these? I'll be swapping tires soon and have been using the Metzeler since new. Thinking about changing to these.Hey gang -- anyone know whether the Dunlops been fixed? The early 205s were famous for rubbing the swingarm and bubbling the sidewalls -- but that was something like 5 years ago; I've only purchased 020s and 880s since then, so I'm not up to speed on the 205s.

[sanjaun2]

I ran a dunlop front tire last year. I found it on the clearance rack for 27 bucks. It handled okay and did well in the rain. But.... It was toast in about 6k. The Bt 020 front lasts me about 12-14K. Their tread depth brand new is not very much.

[kdog]

Anyone use these? I'll be swapping tires soon and have been using the Metzeler since new. Thinking about changing to these.

Hi Mark. Long time...

I had a fondness for Dunlops that I used to run on my Triumph, back in the dark ages, so I tried a set on the LT after my factory tires wore out. They rubbed until I shimmed them, and they really didn't have any advantages. They wore out quickly, and soon had an annoying hum when leaned into turns. I tried the Metzelers next, and ran a couple of sets of those, and finally switched to the Bridgestones. I loved the handling of the 'stones, and despite the shorter life than the Metzelers, I've been a Bridgestone man ever since.

Say hi to your wife for us.

Regards,
-joel

[ATFLT]

I ran a set of Dunlop 205's. I had no problems with them. They only lasted about 9,000 miles front and back and the back had a little cupping on it at that time. I switched to the 880's and after about the same mileage they look fine and maybe about 1/2 worn on both ends. The Dunlops, Metzlers and the Excedra's that it started with all work for me as to handling and grip.
Noise hasn't been an issue with any of them although I could hear all of them a little.

[dshealey]

I do not know if Dunlop has made any changes to the D205's over the years, but the set I had on my 2000 LT were not something I would have ever go back to. Wear was reasonable, got 10,500 miles from them, but the handling was only fair, and they were absolutely the NOISEST tires I ever had on an LT, after about 6,000 miles. They howled in turns badly, and even just moving from the center of the road to the side where the crown angle was higher would set up the howling.

[cfell]

I just replaced my BT020's 12k on rear and 6k on front (second one.. last about 6k each).

[Buckelew]

Hi Mark. Long time...

I had a fondness for Dunlops that I used to run on my Triumph, back in the dark ages, so I tried a set on the LT after my factory tires wore out. They rubbed until I shimmed them, and they really didn't have any advantages. They wore out quickly, and soon had an annoying hum when leaned into turns. I tried the Metzelers next, and ran a couple of sets of those, and finally switched to the Bridgestones. I loved the handling of the 'stones, and despite the shorter life than the Metzelers, I've been a Bridgestone man ever since.

Say hi to your wife for us.

Regards,
-joel

Hey Joel,

It's been too damn long - when you guys moving back? I passed your regards along to Lynn and she just asked the same question....

Guess I'll forego the Dunlops based on the feedback of the gang here. I've run 'lops on my sportbikes and really like them.

Maybe I'll try the Bridgestones. We're headed up to Banff and Lake Louise this summer. This next weekend will be concerned with getting ready for the trip and installing XM, GPS mount, and PIAA's.

Thanks to everybody for their input.

-Mark

[drmajor]

Never met a Dunlop I like.

Had them on my RT and the steel belt was showing at 5k, and the ride was blahh. Not a bad ride, just not inspiring.

Same on my dirt bikes- they only lasted one race (100 miles) and the handling went to very poor.

Wish Michelin made the Pilot Roads to work with the LT. That was a great tire on the RT. Handled pretty well and wore very well.

[meese]

Try the Avon front. Handles as well as the BT020, but lasts longer. I can get 12-14K from a front Avon, and a bit less from a rear BT020.

[chgi]

I have about 9,000 miles on a 205 and have been very pleased. It has worn evenly, performed well in the rain and on dry pavement. I have a Michlin 120/70 ZR 17 on front and am not pleased. I have run about 29 psi at all times and have experienced uneven ware. There appears to a be a center strip approximately 1.5" wide and to each side the tread has significantly worn away. It is very difficult to handle at low speeds.

[messenger13]

Never met a Dunlop I like.AAAAA - MEN!!!

[Buckelew]

I have about 9,000 miles on a 205 and have been very pleased. It has worn evenly, performed well in the rain and on dry pavement. I have a Michlin 120/70 ZR 17 on front and am not pleased. I have run about 29 psi at all times and have experienced uneven ware. There appears to a be a center strip approximately 1.5" wide and to each side the tread has significantly worn away. It is very difficult to handle at low speeds.

it's now 2 years later. We're headed up to Seatle, Vancouver, and Victoria...I'm going to have the Dunlops put on this weekend...and see how they are. Later this summer, I'll do the Bridgestones for a comparison.

I'm back commuting to work a long ways and will be packing on about 75 miles each day. Plenty of opportunity to try other tires.

[paalao]

A friend of mine have Dunlops and his rear tyre is almost due to be changed with only 2000 miles on it!!!

BTW We have to change when the tread is 3mm or less (2mm on cars)
3mm euqals 0.11811023622047245 Inches (hehe, to be accurate)

[Buckelew]

Got the Dunlops put on 2 weeks before the trip. Commuted about 75 miles each day. Put 2203 miles on in 11 days (7 dyas of riding). So...about 3100 miles on the bike with these tires.

Last night, on the commute home, I was running about 72 mph and the bike was absolutely quiet - no howling, no vibration. I think the tires have dropped (in 4 weeks) about 1 psi in the front and 2 psi in the rear tire - very acceptable.

We rode 2 days in the rain (and some in the snow) with absolutely no issues, no slipping, no hesitation. The tires were great.

Long periods of time at decent speeds in relatively warm weather (70's, 80's, 90's and up to 104 degrees) showed no issue with the tire rubbing on the swingarm.

this tire has been a nice change from the Metzeler 880's; softer sidewall for better bump absorbtion, no howling, and the bike goes where you point it rather than the Metzeler following grooves and cracks in the pavement.

two thumbs up for this tire from me.

oh, and no nails.

[Buckelew]

After another 1000 miles, the "dropping in" feeling - in turns- has gone away. I expect that center wear has done that. These tires are very predictable, still quiet, still not as stiff as the Metzeler (nice).

I like them. a lot.

[joegottberg]

Mark,

So it sounds like you've got around 4k on them now? Front and rear or just rear?

I'm trying a Stone for the first time (100% Metz prior). I suspect I will not be going back to Metz until the pricing improves (if ever).

Trying to see what the next rear will be.

Great report.

Joe