tire lifespan
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
How do you mean 'better'? If you want performance such as better grip, get a softer tire like Metzeler or Avon. Softer tire will wear out faster but something was seriously wrong that you only got 5k miles out of your rear tire.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
There's nothing wrong with Dunlops, but some models don't fair as well as others. I've got over 13K miles and a half dozen burnouts on a rear Dunlop which I'll replace with another Dunlop fairly soon. Not a stock Dunlop, but and Elite 3.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Mountaintop, PA
I never really had any performance complaints, just was surprised that the tire didn't last longer, especially since I am a pretty conservative rider.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 11
From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
Younger bro ('04 Wide) got 18K out of his stock front, but you could see the air! I just replaced mine a month ago with Michelins (Macadam/Commander, R/F) at 11K. When I picked up my bike from its 1000-mi checkup, the service writer told me my front was 4/32" and they recommend replacing @ 3/32"...I looked at him and said, "You realize I'm in here for my ONE-thousand mile checkup?!?!" He looked away and quickly went on to the next item. Went home and to the Dunlop website...they START life with 5/32", and the dealer wants you to chuck 60% of your treadlife?!?! 
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
I had the stock tires changed out at 12,484 miles. The rear needed changed, the front could have went farther but I went ahead and replaced both at the same time with Dunlops again. I like the Dunlops.
Some other tires do have different air pressure reccomendations I have heard but from my understanding whatever is on the sidewall is the max pressure that tire can take. I would find out what the recommended pressure is and not go off the sidewall. They recommend a certain pressure for different vehicles for a reason. Overinflating tires can make the middle of the tread wear out quicker and could be dangerous if inflated way too high.
I personally go from what HD recommends for my bike and run the front at 30 and the rear at 36
I personally go from what HD recommends for my bike and run the front at 30 and the rear at 36
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I run my metzelers at 30 front and 36 rear... For the 1st 1K on them I had them at sidewall pressure(42 rear 40 front)... Sure I might get a touch more life on them by over inflating, however the ride quality and way they stick like glue around corners convinced me to run at H-D recommended pressure. Way better to run at the bikes recommended pressure and not the sidewalls. If you read the stock dunlop sidewall, it has max pressure at 41 which is about same as metzler sidewall. Note recommended pressure is for a 170 lb rider riding solo... bump it up a couple psi if you are over 200+ otherwise your weight will wear the tires more quickly. Also it is recommended to run the rear with 3psi more when 2up. Get a good accurate air gauge. H-D sells a nice one complete with a tire wear indicator.
Last edited by rounder; May 18, 2009 at 04:33 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,651
Likes: 4,891
From: Missouri City,TX
Tire wear sure does vary alot...I'm at 4470 miles with the OEM tires and I "might" get to 6500 for the rear, but the front tire is fine. I always check tire pressures every 4-5 days and run 30/37 cold psi riding solo.
I like the feel and handling with the Dunlops, so I'm gonna get the SE 180 rear when it's time to change and "hope" to get 5K out of it.
I like the feel and handling with the Dunlops, so I'm gonna get the SE 180 rear when it's time to change and "hope" to get 5K out of it.