DUNLOP HISTORY
More than 80 years ago, ground was broken for what would become the first Dunlop tire manufacturing facility in the United States, in Buffalo, New York. And Dunlop remains the only manufacturer to produce motorcycle tires in the U.S.
Dunlop's U.S. motorcycle tire facilities also include the Huntsville Proving Ground (HPG) in Alabama-a $10 million, 60-acre facility opened in 1989. Dunlop's professional test riders prove our motorcycle tires on HPG's dry and wet handling courses, dry and wet skidpads, motocross and Supercross tracks, and an ATV testing course. All Dunlop Grand Prix and Superbike wet-weather tires are tested on HPG's special wet handling course before they are used in competition.
RACING
Dunlop's rich racing history stretches back more than a century-to 1889, to be precise, when we first introduced the revolutionary idea of using pneumatic tires in race competition. Since then, Dunlop's dominance in two-wheel motorsports has become legendary, in America and around the world.
For decades, Dunlop has dominated nearly every sphere of motorcycle racing. From the desolate expanses of a still-untamed Baja California, to the rough & tumble Hare and Hound arena, on banner-lined motocross tracks, to the most competitive road racing series in the world, no other tire manufacturer has even come close to approaching Dunlop's winning heritage. Dunlop has won more AMA National championships in virtually every category of racing than any other tire manufacturer.
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
When Scottish veterinarian John Boyd Dunlop looked for a way to improve the ride of his son's tricycle in 1888, he invented the first practical pneumatic tire. That breakthrough innovation not only led to the birth of his own company, but created an entire industry as well. An unending stream of innovative technology has followed that initial milestone discovery. Dunlop initiated the use of aramid belts in motorcycle tires; produced the first original equipment radial street tire; led the industry with the revolutionary 20-inch off-road tire. And now, Dunlop continues to offer the broadest range of tires of any manufacturer, with the new soft terrain D773,and the new D208 ZR sport radial, which combines street handling characteristics with track-level grip, plus a wider range of premium minibike tires than any other tire manufacturer.
OEM REPLACEMENT TIRES
In addition to our focus on racing, research and original equipment manufacturers (OEM), Dunlop is also committed to fulfilling the needs of motorcycle owners. We understand the specialized needs of specific motorcycles, so we build premium tires for specific replacement use, such as Dunlop's new D206 Elite, A high mileage replacement tire for Honda Valkyrie owners. Our commitment also explains why Harley-Davidson collaborated with Dunlop engineers to develop a new high-performance D207 ZR for standard and replacement fitment on the amazing new V-Rod(r) power cruiser, Harley-Davidson's first radial tire.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
When manufacturers seek out original equipment tires, the majority turn straight to Dunlop. The list of motorcycle companies that rely on Dunlop tires reads like an honor roll of motorcycling: Aprilia, BMW, Buell, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Victory, and Yamaha. Plus, Dunlop has partnered with Harley-Davidson to supply innovative Harley-Davidson logo tires-another industry first. Motorcycle manufacturers have confidence in Dunlop's commitment to quality and innovation. Why would you rely on anything less than Dunlop?