hat’s no advertising hype. Those two Dunlops, the D401 and D402, come standard on brand-new Harley-Davidsons. And they have for quite some time. A decades-long bond between these companies–Dunlop and Harley–has resulted in some pretty great tires, tires built specifically for their application. Both company names are right on the sidewalls. How’s that for an endorsement?
     The Dunlop D401 is the tire you’ll find on all those Harley-Davidson cruisers, from the Sportsters to the Dynas to the Softails. The D402 is the tire for all the Harley-Davidson touring bikes, the big, heavy Baggers. Of course they’re both in the Drag Specialties FatBook, too, and there’s no question about either of them being an absolutely correct pick when replacement time rolls around. This year there are even more sizes added–and there’s a brand-new radial version in the mix. For the 2008 riding season choosing the right Dunlop is easier than ever.
     Brand-new for 2008 is a custom D402 front, a 130/70-18. There’s also an all-new radial version D401, a 200/55R17, a size and carcass design perfect for the also brand-new 2008 Softail Cross Bones. Add those two to the application list for the already existing Dunlop D401s and D402s in the lineup and there isn’t a Harley rider out there who can’t have the Dunlops he wants.
     The D401, for all those Softails, Sportsters and Dynas, features a tread pattern that will perform in all riding conditions. The 401s wear great, too, and they wear evenly over the life of the tire. The D401’s bias or bias-belted construction comes with a computer-optimized tread profile, as well. The result here is reduced cupping, great handling and an all-around comfortable ride quality. All this is offered in 90/90-19 and 100/90-19 front sizes and for the rear there are 130/90-16s and 150/80-16s. And this year, remember, there’s also that all-new radial version D401, the 200/55R17.
     The D402 for the Baggers and all those big Harley touring bikes is built with a three-ply polyester casing and two fiberglass belts. There’s plenty of load-carrying capacity and over-the-road stability here. There are computer-optimized tread profiles, as well, even featuring an offset center groove to improve the feel and add rider confidence over those rain grooves and steel-grated bridges. And the D402 is a looker, too. It’s available in Blackwall, Single-White-Bar and Wide-White sidewalls. There’s a 130/70-18 front tire in blackwall for custom applications, too.
     And while we’re talking about the bread-and-butter replacement Dunlops don’t forget about the K591. It’s the Harley-Davidson approved sport tire. Originally designed for racing, the 591s incorporate plenty of Dunlop refinements and enhancements and they make great sport- and sport-touring tires. The K591 carries a V speed rating and delivers optimum grip in all weather conditions. It’s available in a 100/90-19 front and there are three different 16- and 17-inch rears, all with black sidewalls.
     Dunlop is totally committed to American motorcycling and American motorcycles. All those tires in the FatBook–the D401s, D402s and the sporty K591s–prove it. From the development labs to the Huntsville Proving Grounds to the highways and back roads across the country those Dunlop’s deliver. So does Drag Specialties. All those Dunlops, including the new sizes and that new D401 radial, are available now.