Blew a tire yesterday.  Wasn't even sure what it was at first but it lost air very rapidly and it became obvious.  I felt pretty lucky because they probably should have been replaced some while ago and the outcome could have been a lot worse with only myself to blame.  

Anyway, I have a set of Dunlop D404 tires on the way.  The slightly larger size for the rear, and standard size for the front.  Cost $115 total from AMT.  Can I just take these in somewhere to have them put on or are they not going to like that I didn't buy them at their place?  Or could I do it myself somehow and just take them somewhere to be balanced?  

What kind of life are people getting out of these?

At the shop I work at we have a set tire fee depending on what kind of machine you have. (atv,dirt bike, cruiser, crotch rocket). One thing that may help you out though, is if you can get the wheels off the bike and just take them in, then they won't have to soak you the labor for disassembling and reassembling your bike to change out the tires. Our charge is a great deal different if you just bring us the wheels and the new tires. maybe not as good of a deal if you bought the tires from us too, but it seems you got a good deal on the tires anyways.

Hammy211 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:

I have a D404 on the back with about 3000 miles on it.  Will measure the tread depth when I get home and you can compare with the new.



Considering the stock tire was rather bald at 5000 miles, I'm reasonably impressed.

If you want to know more about the Dunlop 404 140/90-15, I can help you out as well. I installed one recently. When new the tread depth was 7.5mm. After 2,300 kms (1435mi.) the depth is 6.2mm. I don't have saddlebag brackets and couldn't fit them anyways. To fit the tire, I had to remove the left middle fender bracket bolt plus grind down the heads on several others. The tire will still rub on all but the stiffest setting on the shocks.

First off I believe if you stick to the 80 series tires, fitting saddlebag brackets should be fairly easy. The drawback to using the original size 140/80-15 is limited availability and higher prices than the more popular but incorrect 90 series. I know the Metzler ME880 Marathon (expensive) and Dunlop K555 come in the correct140/80-15 but you will have to pay more for them. I have just replaced a Metzler Marathon and I would recommend them but you won't get them cheap.

Although a bit old technology, it's ($77)  good value for an OE Dunlop. Personally I like the Whitewall.