Pirelli Night Dragon mileage
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Montana
Pirelli Night Dragon mileage
I replaced the stock dunlops over the summer with a set of Pirelli Night Dragons. I used the 180 for the back. I replaced the rear first then the front about 3 weeks later. I really liked the grip and how the rear rode over the stock tires. I had about 7500 miles on the rear when I replaced it. I now have 12,200 miles on the bike and need to replace the rear tire again. I have not done any burn outs yet here the tire with only about 4600 miles on it is already showing threads through the rubber.
I had hoped to get more miles than that. Now about 4000 of the miles were during the hottest part of the summer and I went on several 400+ mile rides mostly at 80 MPH. I am thinking that kind of speed and distance in the heat must wear the tires faster than cooler weather riding.
I am thinking I may just go back to the stock tires or the michelin in hopes if getting more miles out of the tire. I also plan on removing the balancing weights and putting dyna beads in the tubes for balancing when I replace the tires. The wear was very uneven from the two opposite ends of the tire.
Has anyone had much better results so far out of the Night Dragons?
I had hoped to get more miles than that. Now about 4000 of the miles were during the hottest part of the summer and I went on several 400+ mile rides mostly at 80 MPH. I am thinking that kind of speed and distance in the heat must wear the tires faster than cooler weather riding.
I am thinking I may just go back to the stock tires or the michelin in hopes if getting more miles out of the tire. I also plan on removing the balancing weights and putting dyna beads in the tubes for balancing when I replace the tires. The wear was very uneven from the two opposite ends of the tire.
Has anyone had much better results so far out of the Night Dragons?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
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From: Passaic County, NJ
You have to imagine that if the tire grips better, chances are it's a softer compound. Softer = quicker tire wear. It's the trade-off you make for a better performing tire vs a harder compound that doesn't grip as well but lasts 3x-4x longer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,709
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Holy crap...4k miles....SOmething ain't right or the Night Dragons are really soft...I heard they said it was a grip tire more than a durability tire but 4000 miles...The worst i ever got on my Electra glide was 6000 on a Avon Venom X...and that was because it was not rated for the bike, Treads wasn't as deep.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
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From: Out on Deranged
Wow thanks for the info kenFM, I'm about to replace my rear tire and it is looking like another stocker for me. It will be my third tire and I got 10000 out of each of the two first Dunlop 427 fatbob tires.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: encino, ca
I put a 180 night dragon on about 2 and a half months ago. I have about 2k miles on it so far, and while I haven't done a measurement, I check it visually every day since the tire is so new and there isn't much collective knowledge about mileage, and so far it doesn't seem to have any noticeable wear on it. I commute daily on the interstate, and have done quite a few 200+ mile twisty days.
So far, I am very happy with it.
So far, I am very happy with it.
Last edited by brenth; Nov 1, 2009 at 10:16 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 293
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From: usa
my stock tire went 3100miles, on a stage 1 and it had plenty left, went to a 103 and it lasted only 1000 miles more because i was doing rolling burnouts all time. went to the se 180 the first rolling burnout was a big surprize. it burned 10 to 15 feet and the front end went straight up in the air, had to tap the rear brake because i thought i was going over. since then i've learned to ride the clutch out! i ended up getting 5000 out of the 180 replacent and she is about done. my theory is the wider softer 180 actually lasts longer on becuase of the additional traction. from a roll even with my new 124 it only wheelies doesn't spin even with the new power, unless it's cold out. i don't use the brake when doing burnouts, so i'd say 4500-5500 miles is about what you get from the se 180, for a comparison to the pirelli is fairly close. ocasionally it will fry the tire when i open it fronm a roll in 1st, and spins fairly hard when doing a standing stop launch if i don't ride the clutch enough, but would have to save longevity and traction are waayy better when compared to a stock tire, especially when you havesome power behind it.
Last edited by C-Cat; Nov 2, 2009 at 03:34 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
switch to avon venoms or metzelers. I don't think metzeler has a correct 180 for your 17" rear wheel though.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Missouri City,TX
Well daymn, I ordered the Night Dragons for my bike and the order shipped Saturday, should be showin' up at my house by Friday. The 100/90 frt and 180/60 rear....
I sure hope I can get more than 4K out of 'em.
I sure hope I can get more than 4K out of 'em.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: West Palm Beach, Florida
Ouch... that's not good at all! I have close to 3k miles on my Avons. I have an Avon venom up front, which still looks BRAND NEW, and then an Avon storm on the rear, and that looks like it will go another 2,000 miles and its done. We'll see I guess. But I love the way these tires handle/look.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Montana
I had the Avon Venoms on my sportster and was happy with them. I had about 7000 miles on them and should have been able to get another 2000-3000 miles out of them. I can't seem to find any for the 17" rear though. I did also have the metzelers on a previous bike and only put about 3000 miles on them before i sold the bike so i never was able to draw a conclusion on how many miles I might get from them. I haven't decided if I will try them next or not. Thanks for the input.