Continental vs Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: Match the Right Set to Your Ride and Budget

Choosing motorcycle tires means deciding whether you need a single replacement or a matched front and rear set, and whether your bike is a sport-touring machine or a street cruiser. The Continental ContiMotion lineup covers both a single 180/55ZR17 rear and a 120/70ZR17 front plus 190/50ZR17 rear set. Dunlop answers with a D402 touring set for Harley-Davidson models and a D404 set aimed at other street motorcycles. Prices vary widely across these four options, so the right pick depends less on budget alone and more on your bike's tire sizes and intended use.

Quick take: If you only need a rear sport-touring tire, the Continental 180/55ZR17 ContiMotion rear is the most direct option. If you want a matched Continental front and rear pair, the ContiMotion set with a 190/50ZR17 rear fills that gap. Harley-Davidson touring riders should look at the Dunlop D402 set, while riders on other street bikes can choose the D404 set.

Listed price comparison

Decision matrix

Use the decision matrix to narrow by bike type: the Continental single rear covers one tire only, while the Continental set and both Dunlop sets are front/rear pairs.

Product notes

Continental ContiMotion 180/55ZR17 Rear

At USD 119.99, this is the lowest listed price in the group. The tire is a brand-new ContiMotion rear in 180/55ZR17 with a load rating of 73 and a blackwall design. The description highlights all-season sport touring radial construction, with new polymer compounds and a silica-based tread for wet and dry feedback. It also mentions Continental's 3-year complimentary flat tire roadside assistance in the US and Canada. The trade-off: this is a single rear tire, not a front/rear set, so the matching front has to be sourced separately.

Continental ContiMotion 120/70ZR17 + 190/50ZR17 Set

At USD 212.98, this set gives you a 120/70ZR17 front and a 190/50ZR17 rear from the same ContiMotion line. The description mentions 0° steel-belt construction on the rear for stability, and load ratings of 58 front and 73 rear. This is a sensible option if you're looking for a matched Continental pair. The catch: the set is fixed to these two sizes, so it's not a custom combination.

Dunlop D404 130/90B16 + 150/80B16 Set

At USD 314.98, the D404 set includes a 130/90B16 front and a 150/80B16 rear, both H-rated bias-ply tires. The description emphasizes load-carrying capacity and a smooth ride in wet and dry conditions, and the attributes list a United States origin. One limitation: the description explicitly says the D404 is not recommended for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Dunlop D402 MT90B16 + MU85B16 Set

At USD 443.98, this set is the highest listed price here. It pairs an MT90B16 front with a MU85B16 rear and is described as an approved Harley-Davidson touring tire. The D402 features a three-ply polyester casing, two fiberglass belts, and an offset center groove that helps with rain grooves and reduces cupping. The H speed rating fits touring duty. The catch: the set is built around 16-inch front and rear sizes, and the price is the steepest of the four.

Final recommendation by use case

• Budget rear replacement: Continental ContiMotion 180/55ZR17 Rear
• Matched sport-touring set: Continental ContiMotion 120/70ZR17 + 190/50ZR17 Set
• Non-Harley street cruiser set: Dunlop D404 130/90B16 + 150/80B16 Set
• Harley-Davidson touring set: Dunlop D402 MT90B16 + MU85B16 Set