Mutant tire. Just the name makes you want to try them. But what exactly did they change from or to what? Based on Dunlop, Mutant combines unique components to create a versatile and high performance street tire. The ingredients in this rubber gumbo include a high silica ratio, rayon shell, mismatched belt construction, Apex sidewall technology, 4 Seasons technology, and Dunlop’s proprietary MT Multi-Tread combination.
Dunlop says the lightweight radials offer high mileage, agile handling, compliant driving and excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions. To test those claims, I booked my local store, Ventura Harley-Davidson, to put a new set in Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250.
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Once on the road and deep in, the Mutants provided good feedback on various road surfaces, with stable and predictable turns. Once pointed in the right direction, they held steady in a straight line with no tendency to fall or stand up.
Mutant’s unique tread pattern looks almost like a trail tire, but it’s rated as a sport tire, suitable for everything from big GT race cars, sports cars to adventure bikes. I felt comfortable hitting the paved roads at a fast pace, even when passing the nasty tar snakes that are common on California’s backcountry roads and are greasy on sunny days.
Although not intended for off-road use, I can’t help myself. The Mutants had an admirable performance on some of the dirt dirt roads I ventured down, but where they really shined was in the backstreets, where the pavement can range from smooth to smooth. rough, wet to dry, clean to dirty.
I took my Mutant-shod Pan Am on a 2,000-mile trip to Oregon in April, where I encountered one of the worst blizzards on record. While I don’t recommend riding on icy roads with blowing snow, I feel reassured that the Mutant provides confident grip until conditions deteriorate beyond what I consider safe. whole.
In terms of lifespan, I usually get about 5,322.8 miles (but someone’s counting) from a set of tires, changing them in pairs when the front or rear wear bars start to show. At launch, the Mutants had a 5/32 inch tread depth at the front and 9/32 inches at the rear. After 3,000 miles, tread depth is 3/32 inches both front and rear. The Mutants are on track to hit the mid range for my admittedly aggressive riding style.
Dunlop Mutant tires come in a variety of sizes to fit over 250 motorcycle models and MSRPs range from $187.95-$290.95. For riders who enjoy riding on a variety of tracks, this is a solid choice.
For more information, see your dealer or visit dunlopmotorcycletires.com.
