tire questions - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

SKIMAN · 10-31-2009, 10:30 AM

Looking to get new rear tire soon. Have not been happy with the last 3 from Harley the Dunlap.
Any recommandations on a tire that may last longer then 7000- 9000 miles that I have been getting ??

ruby4me · 10-31-2009, 10:32 AM

Metzler way to go. Changed mine from dunlaps on flhtci handles better

**Dave63** · 10-31-2009, 10:40 AM

Metzler ME88, Avon, Continentals, Bridgestones.... I hear good things about the Dunlap Elite-III's.

I ran the Avons last time and wasn't thrilled. Sticky, but less then 10K on them.

ruby4me · 10-31-2009, 10:44 AM

I like the way metzlers handle in wet conditions they seem to stick to the road better. I had Avons on chopper worked great, but had to keep changeing because of burnouts so dont know how many miles you can get!

twidget · 11-01-2009, 08:46 AM

What is the expected life of a motorcycle tire? Is the minimum read depth the same for a bike as a car???

V-Girl · 11-01-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKIMAN

Looking to get new rear tire soon. Have not been happy with the last 3 from Harley the Dunlap.
Any recommandations on a tire that may last longer then 7000- 9000 miles that I have been getting ??

You can get tires that will perform better in the rain etc...but none that would really last longer than what you're getting. If anything did last longer it would be hopeless at everything else.

I like the Metzler ME88's...have gone through a dozen sets over the years, they do seem to go away fast at the end, so need to keep an eye on them

Tennjack · 11-02-2009, 02:28 PM

i almost always get at least 10,000 miles on my back tires and around 20,000 on the front . the Dunlop on the 06 has almost 14,000 on it still looks decent . i tried a cheap tire on the 77 its a kenda its running good so far i dont ride her as much nowdays tho. its a little hard tire for the rain but hasnt slipped much . ran a lot of tires in the last 40 yrs of riddin, pondering on bridgstones next tho. only tire i didnt get much mileage out of was a Goodyear on the superglide.

**Dave63** · 11-02-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twidget

What is the expected life of a motorcycle tire? Is the minimum read depth the same for a bike as a car???

It depends on the compound and driver habits. The minimum tread depth allowed by most states is 2/32".

Tennjack · 11-02-2009, 03:05 PM

its still looking pretty good think it might go another 2,000 miles probally change it this winter tho. ( was in the tire service business for a lot of yrs. before trucking ) i keep a watch on the tires and presures . i am seeing a lot of tires wear out in the middle from what looks like too much air pressure tho. and cupping from not enough . im running 28 in the rears and 32 in the front im not saying it will work for everyone but works good for me .