DUNLOPCruiserTouring

American Elite

Dunlop's American-made cruiser tire built for Harley-Davidson riders who demand longevity, wet confidence, and classic style mile after mile.

MTC8.1/10★★★★☆Cruiser · Touring Recommended

motorcycletireco.com

BrandDUNLOP

TypeCruiser / Touring

FitmentFront & Rear

Sizes6

Designed, manufactured, and tested entirely in the USA — purpose-engineered for Harley-Davidson and V-twin cruiser applications

Tread geometry promotes consistent, even wear across the tire's full service life for maximum mileage return

Compound tuned to balance long-haul durability with strong wet-weather grip — no compromises for riders who ride rain or shine

Stable load-bearing construction handles two-up riding and fully loaded touring rigs without sacrificing feedback

Runs quietly on both wet and dry pavement — minimal road noise on freeway slabs and canyon routes alike

Available in blackwall and whitewall finishes to suit modern baggers and heritage V-twins equally

Riders Also Considered

Select Size

Prices use MTC dealer formula · Load/speed index explained in the FAQ below

Fulfillment

Live pricing · Walk-in mount & balance available

30-day returns on unused, unmounted tires. See our Return Policy for full terms.

Save below MSRPIn-stock · ships fastWalk-in install

MTC Rating

MTC Score

8.1/10

★★★★☆

The American Elite is the go-to cruiser tire for Harley and V-twin riders who prioritize real-world mileage, wet grip, and loaded-bike stability over track-day performance.

Performance

Dry Grip7.8

Wet Grip8.2

Street Manners8.6

Track Capability4.5

Mileage8.4

Value8.0

Best For

Cross-Country Cruiser

You're racking up 10,000-plus miles a year on a loaded bagger, often with a passenger and a full set of bags. You need a tire that stays predictable under weight, shrugs off unexpected rain, and goes the distance before you're back at a shop. The American Elite checks every box.

Perfect Match

Weekend Canyon Carver

If you're pushing hard lean angles on twisty backroads and need maximum edge grip with quick warm-up, the American Elite's priority on longevity and touring stability means it's not your ideal weapon. The Avon 3D Supersport is a better fit for that riding style.

Consider Avon 3D Supersport

Heritage Enthusiast

You ride a classic or heritage-styled V-twin 5,000 to 8,000 miles a year in all kinds of weather, and you want a tire that looks right on the bike, handles reliably, and doesn't punish you when the roads get slick. The whitewall option seals the deal.

Great Match

Full Size Chart & Part Numbers

Pos.	Size	Load/Speed	P/N	MFR Part #	UPC-A	Our Price / MSRP
FrontOOS	130/80B17	—	0305-0306	45131875	45131875	$244.22$294.95Save $51
Front	140/75R17	—	0303-0190	45131663	848983021588	$235.69$284.95Save $49
RearCall	N/A	—	873-0140	45131818	—	—
RearOOS	160/70B17	—	0306-0519	45131181	848983013392	$315.95
RearOOS	180/65B16	—	0306-0326	45131150	848983021571	$372.95
RearOOS	240/40R18	—	0302-1099	45131730	848983013415	$341.40$411.95Save $71

Frequently Asked

The American Elite was purpose-built with Harley-Davidson fitments in mind, but many of those sizes cross over to other V-twin cruisers. Run your wheel size and load rating against the available fitments and confirm against your owner's manual — or give us a call at (714) 516-9059 and we'll check it for you.

Most riders see 10,000 to 15,000 miles from the rear depending on bike weight, load habits, and how hard they ride. The American Elite's wear mileage score of 8.4 reflects its reputation for even, predictable tread depletion — a lot of riders push past 12,000 miles without issue.

Purely cosmetic — the whitewall carries Dunlop's traditional white sidewall stripe for that classic American cruiser look, while blackwall suits a cleaner, more contemporary style. Rubber compound, construction, and ride characteristics are identical across both.

It punches above its weight in the wet — an 8.2 wet grip score is strong for the cruiser segment. The tread pattern moves water effectively and the compound stays compliant in cooler, damp conditions. It's not a sport-tire wet setup, but for a heavy touring bike in real-world rain, it delivers genuine confidence.

Not required, but matched tires give you consistent handling and wear across the axles. If you're only replacing one, put the newer tire on the rear — that's where load, braking, and drive forces are greatest. Our team at MTC can assess both tires when you come in and give you an honest recommendation.

Keep the first 100 miles relaxed — easy acceleration, gentle braking, and moderate lean angles. Fresh tires carry mold-release agents from the manufacturing process that need to scrub off before the full contact patch is active. After that, the tire is ready for normal riding.

Dunlop American Elite Tires in Orange County — MTC

Motorcycle Tire Center in Orange, CA stocks the Dunlop American Elite for Harley-Davidson riders and V-twin cruiser enthusiasts across Orange County — from Anaheim and Fullerton to Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Huntington Beach, and Irvine. The American Elite is Dunlop's dedicated domestic cruiser tire: designed, built, and tested in the USA specifically for the demands of heavy touring bikes, loaded two-up riding, and long-haul mileage in any weather. If you're putting serious miles on a bagger and need a tire that earns its keep across the full service life, this is one of the strongest options in the segment.

What makes the American Elite stand out is its balance of scores that actually matter for cruiser riders: an 8.6 in street manners, 8.4 in mileage, and a genuine 8.2 wet grip rating that holds up when Orange County marine layer turns coastal roads slick. Available in both blackwall and whitewall finishes, it's a tire that performs where it counts and looks correct on classic and modern V-twins alike. Track capability is modest — this isn't a canyon-carving sport tire — but everything else about the American Elite is tuned for the rider who measures success in trouble-free cross-country miles.

MTC offers walk-in mounting and balancing on the American Elite at straightforward pricing: $69 mount, $9.95 balance, and $3.50 disposal per tire — well below what dealers typically charge. We carry the American Elite at below-MSRP pricing and can usually get you in and out the same day. Ride in to our Orange County shop or call us at (714) 516-9059 to confirm your size is in stock and get on the road.

Riders Also Considered

DUNLOP

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View tire →8.2

DUNLOP D207 ZR

A purpose-built performance tire for Harley-Davidson V-Rod, Night Rod, and Street Rod riders who expect their rubber to keep up with the machine.

The D207 ZR is the go-to rubber for V-Rod owners who ride their bike like it was built to be ridden — hard, confident, and in control.

Best for

V-Rod Canyon CarverPerformance Cruiser EnthusiastRelaxed Highway V-Rod Rider

DUNLOP

D208 ZR

Dunlop's purpose-built radial for Harley-Davidson V-Rod and Street Rod platforms — serious grip for liquid-cooled performance cruisers that demand more than standard cruiser rubber.

V-Rod EnthusiastStreet Rod RiderSport-Touring Cruiser Rider

View tire →8.1

DUNLOP D208 ZR

Dunlop's purpose-built radial for Harley-Davidson V-Rod and Street Rod platforms — serious grip for liquid-cooled performance cruisers that demand more than standard cruiser rubber.

Built for V-Rod and Street Rod riders who actually use the horsepower — best on the street, not the track.

Best for

V-Rod EnthusiastStreet Rod RiderSport-Touring Cruiser Rider

DUNLOP

D251

OE-spec cruiser tire built specifically for the Kawasaki VN2000 Vulcan — factory-validated handling and predictable wear for heavy V-twin riders.

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View tire →7.8

DUNLOP D251

OE-spec cruiser tire built specifically for the Kawasaki VN2000 Vulcan — factory-validated handling and predictable wear for heavy V-twin riders.

The D251 is the right call for VN2000 Vulcan owners who want factory-spec confidence and predictable wear without chasing aftermarket variables.

Best for

OE PuristConfidence CruiserSport-Touring Rider

DUNLOP

D402

Dunlop's OEM-spec Harley-Davidson cruiser tire built for long-haul confidence, heavy loads, and all-weather reliability on Softails, Dynas, and Sportsters.

Highway HaulerDaily CommuterCanyon Carver

View tire →7.8

DUNLOP D402

Dunlop's OEM-spec Harley-Davidson cruiser tire built for long-haul confidence, heavy loads, and all-weather reliability on Softails, Dynas, and Sportsters.

The D402 is the go-to OEM replacement for Harley riders who log serious highway miles and need a tire that wears evenly, carries the load, and stays confidence-inspiring in the rain.

Best for

Highway HaulerDaily CommuterCanyon Carver

Avon's sport-DNA cruiser tire built for power V-twins that eat canyon roads for breakfast and cross states for dinner.

Sport-Touring Cruiser RiderCanyon Carver on a V-TwinTrack-Day Enthusiast

View tire →8.2

AVON Cobra Chrome AV91

Avon's sport-DNA cruiser tire built for power V-twins that eat canyon roads for breakfast and cross states for dinner.

The AV91 is the go-to for power cruiser and touring riders who want genuine sport responsiveness without trading away mileage or wet-weather confidence.

Best for

Sport-Touring Cruiser RiderCanyon Carver on a V-TwinTrack-Day Enthusiast