Attack of the Mutants

[LeftCoastKen]

I am booked in for the installation of Dunlop Mutants on June 11th.  I will try and report back with my thoughts before and after my 4000km, mixed surface, summer trip in July.

[BigT]

I've had mine for about 2000 miles.  I normally run 42/36 on most tires but I am liking the pressure about 5psi lower on the mutants.  Tread life is good, still look newish with spirited riding.

[LeftCoastKen]

I have done just over 1000km on the Dunlop Mutants in various temperatures. My initial impression is these are the best all around tires I have had. Warmup time is the quickest I have experienced.  On pavement, both dry and wet, the Mutants behave very similar to the Michelin Road 5.  The Michelins have a bit of an edge in hot conditions on the edge of the tire where they feel just a bit more stable, but the difference is quite small.  The Mutants have the edge in all wet conditions, these things are just so confidence inspiring when the asphalt is not dry.  I have not had a chance to test things off pavement in gravel, but that will come in a couple of weeks on my annual trip.  Stay tuned for long term and gravel update.

For context these are the tires I have tried on the XR:

Michelin Road 5
Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2
Continental TKC 70
Continental Trail Attack 3

For me, I am expecting the Mutants unseat the Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 as my best all around tire.  Virtually no on pavement compromise and I expect the tread pattern to behave similar to the Pirellis and Continentals on gravel.

[SimonUK]

out of interest, what size TKC70 did you fit?? I had considered trying these out but could not find XR sizes

[LeftCoastKen]

Originally Posted by SimonUK

out of interest, what size TKC70 did you fit?? I had considered trying these out but could not find XR sizes

Yeah, the front tire size is not an issue but you have to wedge a 180 on the rear.  Although it fits, and the riding feel was not bad, there was some noticeable flattening of the rear profile that made the asphalt cornering during spirted riding less enjoyable.  Gravel riding was great but the trade off on paved performance was not worth it.  I thought the Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 was a better balance of on/off road performance.  Here's hoping the Mutants do well in the gravel on my upcoming trip.

[bazzer]

Be wary of your rims when off the tarmac. I managed to bend one of mine on the road. I can't even remember what I hit ( must have been a pothole) but it bent the edge of the rim where the bead sat.

[bropane]

I've first heard about these tires from this thread. I looked around online and I might switch to these when my Dunlop Q3+'s wear out. I've heard so many rave reviews about them and they look really cool. The tread reminds me of some kind of reptile skin. Thanks for posting this!

[runnerhiker]

I just ordered Mutants for my XR, I am looking forward to see how they handle Colorado canyon roads.  If I really like them, my ZH2 would be next.

[LeftCoastKen]

Well I am back from my long summer trip and the Mutants performed flawlessly.  The route had an entire gamut of surfaces from pristine new asphalt and broken dirty concrete to loose pebbly gravel and fine silty soil.  My initial thoughts were that the Michelin Roads had a bit of an edge on the dry pavement, but after 5000km of riding, both are undistinguishably similar.  Off pavement is what really impressed me with the Mutants.  I think they will give most 80/20 tires and event some 60/40 tires a run for their money.  Tread life seems to be great as well.  Conclusion is the Mutants are the best all 'round tire that I have used.

[runnerhiker]

Originally Posted by BigT

I've had mine for about 2000 miles.  I normally run 42/36 on most tires but I am liking the pressure about 5psi lower on the mutants.  Tread life is good, still look newish with spirited riding.

I put Mutants on my XR about two months ago, due to some non motorcycle things, I have only put about 700 miles on the Mutants.  My first impression was like your comment, I am running less than 36/42 air pressure.  It felt like the Mutants were noticeably stiffer than the Dunlop RoadSmart III that I used most recently.  I am running them 3 psi low, 33/39, and everything feels great.  The tire can handle tight Colorado canyon curves very well, I am quite pleased.

What was your reason for running 5 psi lower?