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front tire wearing out too quickly

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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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Default front tire wearing out too quickly

I just had my 20K service done on my 2007 FXDL. I had both tires replaced at 15K in addition to having the rear replaced at 7.5K. The mechanic shows me that the front tire is getting near the wear indicators (maybe halfway) but the rear looks "brand new". He also replaced the rear brake pads but said the fronts are still fine so I don't think I am overdoing it on the front brake.

Any idea why the front tire is wearing out so quickly compared to the first one and the rear? All of my tires have been stock Harley tires.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 10:49 PM
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Are they softer tires?
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 03:50 AM
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I have the reverse front tire does well while the rear wears near 10k vs about 15k for the front. I do run the SE 180 rear.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 07:31 AM
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How often do you check the pressure in your tires?
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 07:35 AM
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Run the tires with correct pressure or maybe even a bit higher than what the manual says depending on the brand of tire. It sounds like the tire is really low on air.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 09:06 AM
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I just had my tires replaced and was using the HD recommended 2 up tire pressure of 30/40. The indy who replaced my tires suggested using 40/40.
07 Street Bob @ 20k 1st tire replacement of stock Dunlop with stock Dunlop. Brake Pads still good in front and rear.

Dont know your riding style, but it could be a factor of excessive wear as well.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 09:21 AM
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SC-Longhair: "Are they softer tires?"

Not that I know of. They are the same stock tires that gave me 15,000/7500 F/R before. Interstingly it looks like the rear might be wearing out more slowly now since it looks "brand new" at 5K which should be already 2/3 of its lifespan.

domenicp7: "I have the reverse front tire does well while the rear wears near 10k vs about 15k for the front."

That was similar to what I got for the first 15,000 miles. I am wondering why it is reversed now.

RCB: "How often do you check the pressure in your tires?"
HarleyGoodies: "Run the tires with correct pressure or maybe even a bit higher than what the manual says depending on the brand of tire. It sounds like the tire is really low on air."
Sapper-0503: "I just had my tires replaced and was using the HD recommended 2 up tire pressure of 30/40. The indy who replaced my tires suggested using 40/40.
07 Street Bob @ 20k 1st tire replacement of stock Dunlop with stock Dunlop. Brake Pads still good in front and rear."

I check the pressure regularly and run a little bit higher than recommended. The manual says to run 30 in the front. I typically run 33-36.

Sapper-0503: "Dont know your riding style, but it could be a factor of excessive wear as well."

I ride fairly conservatively, not very aggresively, mostly highway, mostly no passenger. I try to use even F/R brake pressure but I think I do a bit more rear brake. Also, a lot of engine braking.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 09:53 AM
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I ride fairly conservatively, not very aggresively, mostly highway, mostly no passenger. I try to use even F/R brake pressure but I think I do a bit more rear brake. Also, a lot of engine braking.
Your riding style seams to match mine. Here is some Tire Tips on Dunlops website http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/info...s.asp?id=2#tip
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 10:08 AM
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I normally run my Dunlops at about 5 pounds higher pressure than 'recommended' in the Owners Manual.

One some tires (such as the Metzler 880's on my WG) it is recommended to run about 10 additional pounds in the front and rear.


 
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