Dunlop D404? Sorry, new tire thread

I have read a lot posts lately about the Dunlop D404 being a great cheap tire and also one to avoid...
I am going to be needing tires for my KZ750 before the next riding season and I am currently thinking about the D404s.
Currently I have the budget Kenda Sport Challengers on the bike and I can spin/slide the rear when I am heeled over and wack the throttle. The bike puts out ~75bhp, so could the D404 handle this?

cafekz750 wrote:

I have read a lot posts lately about the Dunlop D404 being a great cheap tire and also one to avoid...
I am going to be needing tires for my KZ750 before the next riding season and I am currently thinking about the D404s.
Currently I have the budget Kenda Sport Challengers on the bike and I can spin/slide the rear when I am heeled over and wack the throttle. The bike puts out ~75bhp, so could the D404 handle this?

Dude - the 404s are not a sport tire. You need something sticky to keep that rear under control... especially if you "whack" it while "heeled over" in corners...

Yeah, I have 404s on both my 750s, and they are firm, and I can make them slip a bit if I try to... But I knew they were cheaper tires, and I ride like an old lady, and they're holding up well under my daily commute for 4 years so far...

I'm running D404's on my ZN700 (shaft drive and rated @ 74 HP stock) and haven't had any issues with the rear tire breaking loose when rolling into the throttle hard coming out of a turn.
If I wanted to though I could intentionally break it loose (story for another time :whistle:).

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote:

...If I wanted to though I could intentionally break it loose (story for another time :whistle:).

Well, that's what I meant.

But the way cafekz750 wrote that, I mean his choice of words, made it sound like he's looking for an aggressive tire, along the lines of a racing tire.

Honestly, I've never used a racing tire, but I know I'd need something more than 404s if I had my old girl down to the pegs and then went full-throttle.

R4 and Biquetoast,
Thanks for the replies so far.
I am looking for a more aggressive tire than the Kenda Sport Challengers (~$100 for the pair) since they won't hold when twist the grip. I wasn't sure if the D404 would be a step up in performance from the Kendas or more of the same.
I ride the bike harder than I probably should. I have owned and ridden the bike for 10 years so I feel very comfortable riding the bike hard. Also, the bike has never run right until this summer. In May, I joined the forum, read the posts, and was able to finally track down the problems with the bike and fix them all while making the bike better than ever before (more powerful from idle to redline).
I currently have Avon radials on my FJ and they stick to the pavement no matter what I do. This kind of tire seems over kill for the KZ. I am looking to buy tires that will handle the 75bhp the way I ride, but I just don't want to drop $240 for more tire than I would/could ever use.
I guess I am cheap, but I know that I need to spend more on tires for the KZ.

I have D404's and can vouch that they are decent cheapies. I think that they do pretty good in all road conditions but are particularly good if you ride in the gravel or patches of sand/etc. The D404 is more of a general purpose tire and it doesn't sound like what your looking for.

I hear that they are not so good in the rain after being worn but I can't personally vouch for that. They are very good on wet pavement when they are new.

I can't do a burnout on my bike anymore unless the ground is wet, even then its not easy.

So, you used to be able to do a burnout until you bought the D404s? What tires were you running before?
Mileage on the D404S?

The 404s are considered touring tires. I used them on my KZ1000E1... I suspect the horsepower listings you folks are talking about for your 750s are kind of... well optimistic. I suspect if you put one of those things on a dyno, more like 55-60 hp at the rear wheel. I have ridden a few Kaw 750 models over the years and a 900 or 1000 has quite a bit more power and I doubt most 900/1000 can see 70 HP at the rear wheel.

We rode out to the Lonestar Motorcycle Museum a few years ago and some of the KZ1000 owners got their bike dyno'd on the dyno (they do it for $15 I think so it is a barain) and most of the KZ1000 owners were in the low to mid 60s as far as horsepower at the rear wheel. I wouldn't worry about ripping any tires off on a 750 hehe

I listed the power as 75bhp (bhp is engine hp not the rear wheel, correct?). I have never had the bike on the dyno, but would be curious to see what the numbers would be.
I know that the 750s don't have the power of the 1000s (my dad had a '80 KZ1000ST and my uncle had a '78 KZ1000) but for my KZ the rear tire slips when I am on the throttle and heeled over at anything less than 55mph.
So, just looking for the next step up in tire performance to keep the rear end planted for spirited riding.
Suggestions?

I've used the Pirelli Sport Demon, around $100, stick very well, wear very fast. (less than 2000 miles) Part of the low milage was due to being out of round, one side bald and over 1/8" to the wear bar 180 degrees opposite, Pirelli blew me off when I called to complain. In the past I've used Metzeler 33's and 99's, (don't make anymore)with that set up I could drag the Kerker to the right and touch the alt. on the left. (on the track) I plan on trying the Metz. Lazer Tecs or the Dunlop GT501's next.

I find myself with a spare set of Dunlop 404's for sale, 5.10X16 rear and 4.10X19 front. I bought two sets, one for my LTd and another set for a bike for my wife, but we are not keeping her bike... so I have an extra set that I will sell very reasonable. They have never been mounted and have only been in the garage for a week.

I'm in Jacksonville, FL if you are interested send me an email or PM.

CafeKZ750

yes, BHP is "engine horsepower", if your bike is even remotely stock you won't actually be making that (probably not even at the engine) at the rear wheel.

Regardless.

I could burn them before but I had crappy cheng shin tires (good question). In fact I still got one up front gotta replace it soon.

I have 2000 miles on the D404's. Coming from the 'shins it was night and day but then again the shens are the worse tire out there. I ride my bike quite hard and haven't slipped on dry pavement whilst turning yet.

But I have 50 less cc's than you and smaller carbs (but I do have 4-1 exhaust and pods so it might even out). Dunno!

Peter