Tire Advice - 2014 HD Wide Glide
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: North Central
Tire Advice - 2014 HD Wide Glide
I purchased my first HD motorcycle in 2014 and I love it. While I couldn't be happier with my decision, I couldn't be more disappointed with my Michelin Scorcher tires, as they are literally "scorching" me. The dealership tells me I am at 2/32" and I need to replace each tire.
Mileage facts below:
Back Tire: 7,600 mi (original)
Front Tire: 2,100 mi (replaced July 2016)
While I am certainly not blaming the dealer, replacing tires at such low mileage is tough to swallow. A mere 2,100 miles on the front? I keep the tire pressures at recommended levels, ride good roads, and while, admittedly, I ride two-up with my wife (all 110 lbs of her), I am so disappointed.
Any advice on better tires?
Thanks !!
Mileage facts below:
Back Tire: 7,600 mi (original)
Front Tire: 2,100 mi (replaced July 2016)
While I am certainly not blaming the dealer, replacing tires at such low mileage is tough to swallow. A mere 2,100 miles on the front? I keep the tire pressures at recommended levels, ride good roads, and while, admittedly, I ride two-up with my wife (all 110 lbs of her), I am so disappointed.
Any advice on better tires?
Thanks !!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
Those Scorchers are rather pathetic, eh? 
Pirelli Night Dragons are my tire of choice on my '13 Wide Glide, I can't speak highly enough about them. One other suggestion; poor suspension components will cause accelerated tire wear, especially scalloping/cupping of the front.
The front on the Wide Glide stock is terribly undersprung, even something as simple as upgrading the front forks to Progressive Heavy springs and the recommended 15wt fork fluid will make a world of difference in both the stability, handling, and reduce the tire wear.
Jake Wilson is my go-to for all my tires; if you do go with Pirelli Night Dragons keep in mind they are more sensitive to tire pressures due to their more rounded profile. On my '13, I'm running 42 - 44 PSI on the 180/60-17 rear and 40 - 42 PSI on the 90/90-21 front.
Welcome to the forum
Pirelli Night Dragons are my tire of choice on my '13 Wide Glide, I can't speak highly enough about them. One other suggestion; poor suspension components will cause accelerated tire wear, especially scalloping/cupping of the front.
The front on the Wide Glide stock is terribly undersprung, even something as simple as upgrading the front forks to Progressive Heavy springs and the recommended 15wt fork fluid will make a world of difference in both the stability, handling, and reduce the tire wear.
Jake Wilson is my go-to for all my tires; if you do go with Pirelli Night Dragons keep in mind they are more sensitive to tire pressures due to their more rounded profile. On my '13, I'm running 42 - 44 PSI on the 180/60-17 rear and 40 - 42 PSI on the 90/90-21 front.
Welcome to the forum
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
You will be very pleased with them! They're more of a sport oriented tire and their profile and composition are confidence inspiring in corners and sweepers. I'm known for pushing the envelope just a bit and I love the Night Dragons.
You will find if you do upgrade the front forks that accelerated tire wear will disappear. If you've got the ability to do the work yourself, you can install the 11-1546 Heavy springs and the needed 2 liters of 15wt fluid for right around $100. If you do install them, follow Progressive's recommendation on fluid height and spacer length.
You will notice the difference
Edited to add: One final thought; with my Night Dragons I don't spin balance or use wheel weights, I used Ride On. It's a balancer/sealant and provides dynamic balancing and puncture protection. Absolutely smooth ride
and I love the Night Dragons.You will find if you do upgrade the front forks that accelerated tire wear will disappear. If you've got the ability to do the work yourself, you can install the 11-1546 Heavy springs and the needed 2 liters of 15wt fluid for right around $100. If you do install them, follow Progressive's recommendation on fluid height and spacer length.
You will notice the difference
Edited to add: One final thought; with my Night Dragons I don't spin balance or use wheel weights, I used Ride On. It's a balancer/sealant and provides dynamic balancing and puncture protection. Absolutely smooth ride
Last edited by TinCupChalice; Feb 5, 2017 at 08:17 AM.
Night dragons.
Hands down the best tire I've ran on any cruiser bike. I have been beating the hell out of mine with hard launches, some burnouts, and a touch of drifting yet they still hold up quite well. They also have great traction for more "spirited" riding.
Hands down the best tire I've ran on any cruiser bike. I have been beating the hell out of mine with hard launches, some burnouts, and a touch of drifting yet they still hold up quite well. They also have great traction for more "spirited" riding.
Road Master
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From: virginia
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: north Carolina
Just over 9000 miles on my factory tires 2014 fxdl. I would say 5000 of those have been 2 up. Rear tire needs replacement soon (can see the center groove of tread but not much left at all), on the other hand my front tire only looks slightly more worn than my buddies 2000 mile street bob. I expect it to last until my next rear tire. Will be going with michelin commanders IIs. Had put this tire on my sportster but ended up selling the bike a few thousand miles later. But even with a few thousand on that tire it still looked brand new
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 76
Likes: 3
From: Beachcrest, WA. USA
I couldn't get rid of those Scorchers fast enough. Those poor excuses for a tire would track-on anything on the road; rain grooves, tar snakes, bridge grating. And riding on road surfaces that had been ground down, but not yet re-surfaced was not a fun experience, at all. I got rid of mine with 10K on them. I could have suffered another couple of thousand miles, but life is too short to put up with such crap.
I got a set of Night Dragons. What a difference. A great tire. I've got over 7K on this set and they're showing some wear, but I can probably get another 4 to 5k on them.
So, consider this a mixed blessing, you can now get a decent set of tires.
I got a set of Night Dragons. What a difference. A great tire. I've got over 7K on this set and they're showing some wear, but I can probably get another 4 to 5k on them.
So, consider this a mixed blessing, you can now get a decent set of tires.
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: North Central
Thank you for all of the excellent advice !!! As a novice HD owner, with this forum, I now feel as though I have access to some unbiased information and great suggestions when my questions arise.
Thanks again !!!
Thanks again !!!