Kenda for Harley Davison ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,377
Likes: 1,774
From: Central Texas
I have ran the snot out of them, and I like them quite well. They are sticky like you wouldn't believe, and they don't cost an arm and leg to buy compared to the name brand tires, so don't be afraid to give them a chance to make a believer out of you as well.
Last edited by 6 gun; Oct 3, 2017 at 08:27 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I have run both Kenda and Shinko cheapy tires.
Not once, not ever have I had a single issue. Not with safety, and not with handling.
The only thing you have to be prepared for is tread life.
The cheap tires DO NOT last the12-15k that Dunlop, Avon and Metzler's do. But at 1/2 and sometimes1/3 the cost, they balance out.
Not once, not ever have I had a single issue. Not with safety, and not with handling.
The only thing you have to be prepared for is tread life.
The cheap tires DO NOT last the12-15k that Dunlop, Avon and Metzler's do. But at 1/2 and sometimes1/3 the cost, they balance out.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 646
From: Santa Clarita
Okay, I'm gonna throw some cold water on the Kenda Love Fest. I got into a collision last January wherein I had two vehicles stopping suddenly in front of me. My FLHX was sporting a fairly new Kenda rear tire...the rear tire almost immediately locked up, and that was the end of my control. I'm a highly experienced rider, know when to let up during emergency braking, but I'm convinced that had I had an OEM or better tire on the rear wheel, it would not have skidded as it did. In my opinion, that Kenda wasn't 'sticky' at all.
They ARE quite a bit less expensive than good quality tires. If anybody thinks I'm full of poo, that's fine, keep talkin' them up and use the hell out of them. I'll never have another Kenda on any motorcycle I own or ride.
They ARE quite a bit less expensive than good quality tires. If anybody thinks I'm full of poo, that's fine, keep talkin' them up and use the hell out of them. I'll never have another Kenda on any motorcycle I own or ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
I just got 18,000 miles out of a Dunlop American elite rear. The previous regular rear Dunlop D402 went 12,000. The American elite handled and rode as good or better than anything I've tried before. I change my own tires which ain't a whole lot of fun so mileage is important.
carl
carl
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 51
Likes: 3
From: 707
I had Kendas on my Vulcan 800 they were meh the rear one had 10k miles on it and it still had an acceptable amount of tread i myself didnt find them that sticky the ones I had were bais ply I think they were the challengers. I have the michalen commander 2 on my bike as of now and I like them better just save up and get good tires
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 660
From: Prior Lake, MN
I just got 18,000 miles out of a Dunlop American elite rear. The previous regular rear Dunlop D402 went 12,000. The American elite handled and rode as good or better than anything I've tried before. I change my own tires which ain't a whole lot of fun so mileage is important.
carl
carl
I got over 15K miles on the stock tires that came on the Limited, and they still had easily another few thousand miles left on them when I replaced them.
I put on Michelin C2's, so far liking them a lot.
It was quite the job wrestling the old tires off and installing new ones. To me I'd rather pay double the price for twice the treadwear.
Same with paying someone- Not sure what labor costs would be but I gotta think that $100 per wheel is realistic, if it includes them removing and reinstalling the wheels on the bike. So pay half price for half the tread life, that breaks you even, but paying twice for labor actually makes the cost of the cheaper tires higher.
Last edited by Brewmany; Oct 4, 2017 at 07:21 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,262
Likes: 15,518
From: Tulsa
Okay, I'm gonna throw some cold water on the Kenda Love Fest. I got into a collision last January wherein I had two vehicles stopping suddenly in front of me. My FLHX was sporting a fairly new Kenda rear tire...the rear tire almost immediately locked up, and that was the end of my control. I'm a highly experienced rider, know when to let up during emergency braking, but I'm convinced that had I had an OEM or better tire on the rear wheel, it would not have skidded as it did. In my opinion, that Kenda wasn't 'sticky' at all.
They ARE quite a bit less expensive than good quality tires. If anybody thinks I'm full of poo, that's fine, keep talkin' them up and use the hell out of them. I'll never have another Kenda on any motorcycle I own or ride.
They ARE quite a bit less expensive than good quality tires. If anybody thinks I'm full of poo, that's fine, keep talkin' them up and use the hell out of them. I'll never have another Kenda on any motorcycle I own or ride.
