My sister in laws Sportster 883 Superlow has 150/60/ZR17 rear tires. The original HD tires only went 5000 miles the center was totally slick when I changed it. Went to a Bridgestone and it too has only lasted less than 5000 miles? What gives with these tires ? I just ordered an Avon tire so will see how this one does. Is the compound of these tires just so soft that they won't even last 8000 miles ?

 

I reckon your sister-in-law likes the throttle and racing with the boys! We have a SuperLow, which my wife mostly rides, and our stock Michelins have so far covered 7k miles and still have some life left in them. The Avons are great tyres, but may not give significantly more miles, but despite that they are my preferred choice, especially for my Glide.

 

I got over 8000 miles on my stock superlow tires still going. Maybe you got too much air pressure in them. That will wear out the middle.

 

For a better balance of mileage and wet/dry traction try a Metzeler 880 or 888.
I typically get 13,000 - 14,000 miles out of the rear tire and I'm definitely not easy on the throttle. (over 100,000 miles using Metz on the Sporty)

 

Changed tires this spring they had 12000 miles on the Michelin scorcher that came on bike when new.

 

^this^

i was going to use these recently but, went with pirelli night dragons due to application limitations. the metzlers are great.