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DUNLOPCruiser

D251

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

MTC7.8/10★★★★☆Cruiser · OE Replacement
DUNLOP D251 motorcycle tiremotorcycletireco.com
BrandDUNLOP
TypeCruiser
FitmentFront & Rear
Sizes2
Purpose-built to OE specifications for the Kawasaki VN2000 Vulcan series — profile, compound, and construction were all dialed in during the bike's original development cycle
Compound and carcass geometry tuned to the weight distribution and power delivery of large-displacement V-twin cruisers for planted, confidence-inspiring tracking
Predictable wear patterns aligned with OE service intervals, so you know roughly when replacement is coming before it sneaks up on you
Sidewall application codes make it straightforward to verify you're getting the correct variant for your specific VN2000 platform
Front and rear engineered as a matched system — running them together preserves the handling balance that OE validation was built around
Not a universal-fit compromise: every design decision reflects the actual motorcycle this tire was spec'd for, not a broad cruiser demographic
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Select Size

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

Fulfillment

Live pricing · Walk-in mount & balance available

🛞 Running a spoked wheel? Drag Specialties Standard Tubes fit 150/80-16 — from $16 →
Save below MSRPIn-stock · ships fastWalk-in install
MTC Rating
MTC Score
7.8/10
★★★★☆
The D251 is the right call for VN2000 Vulcan owners who want factory-spec confidence and predictable wear without chasing aftermarket variables.
Performance
Dry Grip7.6
Wet Grip7.2
Street Manners8.1
Track Capability4.5
Mileage7.9
Value7.7
Best For
OE Purist
You own a VN2000 Vulcan and you want your bike to ride the way Kawasaki intended — no surprises, no handling experiments, just the same validated feel the engineers signed off on. The D251 is exactly what the bike came with, and that's the whole point.
Perfect Match
Confidence Cruiser
Highway miles, weekend runs up the coast, maybe a two-up day trip through the hills — that's your world. You need a tire that stays stable under load on a heavy platform and wears evenly enough that you're not guessing when to replace it. The D251 handles that envelope well.
Great Match
Sport-Touring Rider
If you're putting serious miles on varied roads, pushing through canyon corners, or regularly riding in wet conditions, the D251's cruiser-optimized design isn't going to give you the grip thresholds or wet-weather confidence you need. A dedicated sport-touring tire will serve you better.
Consider AVON 3D Supersport or sport-touring alternatives
Full Size Chart & Part Numbers
Pos.SizeLoad/SpeedP/NMFR Part #UPC-AOur Price / MSRP
FrontOOS150/80R16—0303-002045002921697662105510—
RearOOS200/60R16—0304-002245002239697662105527—
Frequently Asked
The D251 was developed as original equipment specifically for the VN2000 Vulcan series — its profile, compound, and flex characteristics were validated against that platform's suspension geometry and weight. It may physically mount on other large cruisers, but you'd be running it outside its engineered context. If OE fitment matters to you, verify the application data before ordering.
For typical cruiser riding — commuting, highway stretches, getting caught in a surprise shower — the D251 provides enough wet-weather confidence to keep you composed. It's not built for aggressive wet-weather riding or sport-style hard braking in the rain. Think of it as solid rather than exceptional in the wet; riders who spend a lot of time in mixed conditions might want to look at a higher-spec touring compound.
On a VN2000 platform with typical street and highway use, rear tire life in the range of 10,000–12,000 miles is a reasonable expectation — though riding style, load, and road surfaces all play a role. The OE calibration tends to produce even, predictable wear, which makes it easier to plan ahead for replacement rather than reacting to sudden drop-off.
We'd recommend against it. The D251 front and rear were engineered together as a system, and that pairing is what delivers the handling balance the VN2000 was designed around. Mixing in a different front introduces variables in profile and compound flex that can subtly shift how a heavy cruiser responds — especially in corners and under braking.
Sport-touring tires generally bring higher grip thresholds, stronger wet-weather traction, and more dynamic profiles — but they also change the way the bike feels compared to its factory setup. The D251 trades outright grip ceiling for that planted, predictable OE character VN2000 owners tend to value. If you're looking to push harder or ride in more varied conditions, a sport-touring option makes sense; if you want your Vulcan to feel like a Vulcan, stick with the D251.
Dunlop uses letter-and-number sidewall codes to identify application-specific variants within a tire family. On the D251, those codes confirm which version aligns with the VN2000's OE specifications. Before buying, cross-reference the codes against your bike's fitment data — it's the simplest way to confirm you're getting the exact variant that was spec'd for your machine.

Dunlop D251 Tires in Orange County — MTC

Motorcycle Tire Center in Orange stocks the Dunlop D251 for Kawasaki VN2000 Vulcan owners across Orange County who want a straight OE replacement without the guesswork. This tire was engineered to the VN2000's exact platform requirements — profile, compound, and construction calibrated against the bike's suspension geometry and power delivery during its original development. When you put the D251 back on your Vulcan, it rides the way Kawasaki built it to ride.

We carry the D251 at below-MSRP dealer pricing, and our walk-in mount and balance service gets you back on the road fast — $69 per tire to mount, $9.95 to balance, and $3.50 for disposal. No appointment needed for most cruiser fitments. Our team knows this tire and the VN2000 platform well, so if you have questions about front-rear pairing or want to talk through whether the D251 is still the right call for how you're riding, we're happy to give you a straight answer.

Serving riders from Irvine, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, and throughout the greater Orange County area, MTC is the local shop that actually specializes in motorcycle tires — not a general garage that mounts them on the side. Swing by our shop in Orange or call us at (714) 516-9059 to check D251 availability and get your Vulcan fitted properly.

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