Anyone use D205's?

[bdiver]

Is anyone useing Dunlop D205's on their bike? I've got a 99RT and wondering if so how do you like them. I ride in a damp environment much of the time so wet weather handling is important.

Brian in Everett, WA

[username]

well, i use d220s, and they similar compound with some minor tread changes. the guy at the shop gave it a "6 of one, half dozen of the other" assessment when i asked if i should be getting 205s or 220s he had both in stock, and i just put 220s on it because that's what i had put on it the year before. i rode in some wet sunday morning, and took a few corners a little faster and faster each time, and they still held. im not comfy really riding them hard when the road is wet (we have too much aggregate in the roads here, so theyre pretty slick) but i found them to be suitably grippy, as advertised, when buzzing around town, running errands, etc.

theyre soft as heck - i get about 6k miles out of them on my r1150ra.

i recommend that you be a tire pressure fanatic with them too, to avoid any trace of cupping. i check pressure every time i ride. one, to be sure it's set right, and two, to justify the compressor purchase to my SO. :D

[bmwmick]

Is anyone useing Dunlop D205's on their bike? I've got a 99RT and wondering if so how do you like them. I ride in a damp environment much of the time so wet weather handling is important.
Brian in Everett, WA

Brian,
I'm replacing a pair of 205's on my R11RT right now. They barely lasted 5K miles. I've run Bridgestone BT-54's (like them a lot), then Michelin 90X (pretty lousey wear patterns) and the D205's. I just mounted a pair of Metzeler ME-880's and expect much better wear. I've had the 880's mounted on my K11LT for 7,500 miles so far and I REALLY like the way they handle both wet and dry.
The main reason the D205 died was not tire pressure, I run them at 40psi front 42psi rear. On this last trip to DVD X (0=0) we were at 80+ most of the trip, two-up with luggage. The wear patterns look exactly like what you would see if the tires were underinflated. Flat spotted in the middle and two bands of wear about 4" apart on the edges. I suspect the tire carcass just isn't up to the task for a loaded bike. The new Metzeler I just mounted is belted and has a Load Range C designation.

Mick

[bdiver]

Well after doing a little more research it appears the 205 is being or has been replaced by the 220. I don't particularly care for the low mileage numbers 5-6K as thats basically a 1 trip tire and some putting around town. I've read the good comments on the Michelin Pilot Roads for traction and wear so I guess I'll go for a set of those. I appreciate your help,

Brian in Everett

[BklynPete]

Well after doing a little more research it appears the 205 is being or has been replaced by the 220. I don't particularly care for the low mileage numbers 5-6K as thats basically a 1 trip tire and some putting around town. I've read the good comments on the Michelin Pilot Roads for traction and wear so I guess I'll go for a set of those. I appreciate your help,

Brian in Everett

i have just put on my third set of michelin pilot road tires and they really work well on my rt. i've taken 2 cross country trips with them, doing every type of weather condition on those rides and they held up. no cupping and i got at least 13k miles on a set. the last trip i did 8200 miles in 2 weeks 2 days. i don't baby my bike, but i do make sure the tire pressure is always ok. 39 front, 40 rear.


peter

[whicks]

Do the Pilot Roads

[BobFV1]

IMHO the Dunlop D 205's are absolutely horrible - make the RT handle like a truck in dry and do not inspire confidence at all in wet conditions. I had a pair which came as OEM on my 2004 RT and had them replaced at the 600 mile tune-up with Metzeler Z-6's. The Z-6's are performing very well, very sticky in dry and just fine in wet, but they still don't compare with the outstanding wet performance of the Michelins I had on my previous BMW. I think my next set will be Michelins - politics aside, they are a fine product.

[brianfisk]

Wow what differance here. I put 205's on a few times and will do agian if they are still available. Always more than 14,000 miles. For the set!
Last summer, well,Spring I put them on so if Daytona popped up for me I had new tires. Did the local stuff and Spokhane, plus the rest of the summer. New ones went on in Sept. about 17,000 miles later. I had a flat spot on the rear. Front was cuped but not woren out. Longest lasting tire on a Olihead for me ( 13,000 on the 96 (totaled with 3rd set of tires) 156,000 on the 97). I changed brands a few times went to Dunlop because of price in late 2000. The Dunlops are not the stickyest, but I do ride in the Rain(snow when I lose the day). They work, if . I was rich I would stay with the Metzler's. I would NEVER buy Bridgestones again. EVER (unless trappped on the raod, and ,it would be really trapped). Michellins(sp) are okay, tracktion wise but noisy and not that long lasting.
you choose, but , I hope you are happy, Brian Fisk