Need tires
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 264
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
J&P cycles, Dennis Kirk, and others sell tires that are all a few $$$ within each other, but always cheaper then the dealer. I just bought front and rear for my '05 Road King. $ 147 for the front, $177 for the rear. Shipped to the house. If you can mount them yourself your good. Or if you have an indy shop by you, they might do it for a fee.,,,
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,040
Likes: 12,957
From: Texas, USA
Tires, like batteries, are one of those areas where you ask ten different people you will get ten different recommendations. Let me ask you, what brands and tires have you used in the past? Which one(s) did you like?
To answer your question my current preference is the Dunlop American Elite tires. I get a good combination of tread life and traction, even in wet conditions.
To answer your question my current preference is the Dunlop American Elite tires. I get a good combination of tread life and traction, even in wet conditions.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 2,823
From: Mostly Florida, some Michigan
I just put Dunlop American Elites on my 08 Heritage and they are good tires but it remains to be seen how many miles I'll get. The front tire was original (made in 07) so that Dunlop lasted a good long time! That was one reason I stayed with Dunlop.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,061
Likes: 11,080
From: San Diego, CA
I would respectfully suggest you don't go 13 years on a tire, any tire......
Especially on a vehicle that only has two.... Motorcycle riding is risky enough these days without riding on tires past their expiration...
Not only does the chance of a catastrophic failure greatly increase, but their performance deteriorates too...
From the Dunlop Motorcycle Tire website:
"Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties change over time. For each tire, this change depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible. Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 years or older from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear out limit."
There are those who replace every 5-7 years, regardless of tread depth/usage...
I will never go more than 7 years on a motorcycle tire.... You can feel, as the rubber deteriorates, that the grip/traction/cushioning suffer over time.... I have put on new tires, same make/model, to replace 7 year old tires... it seemed like a totally new bike, the old tire performance had deteriorated that much...
Your bike, your money, your decision... just offering a suggestion...
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 28
Likes: 12
From: Arkansas
I would respectfully suggest you don't go 13 years on a tire, any tire......
Especially on a vehicle that only has two.... Motorcycle riding is risky enough these days without riding on tires past their expiration...
Not only does the chance of a catastrophic failure greatly increase, but their performance deteriorates too...
From the Dunlop Motorcycle Tire website:
"Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties change over time. For each tire, this change depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible. Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 years or older from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear out limit."
There are those who replace every 5-7 years, regardless of tread depth/usage...
I will never go more than 7 years on a motorcycle tire.... You can feel, as the rubber deteriorates, that the grip/traction/cushioning suffer over time.... I have put on new tires, same make/model, to replace 7 year old tires... it seemed like a totally new bike, the old tire performance had deteriorated that much...
Your bike, your money, your decision... just offering a suggestion...
Especially on a vehicle that only has two.... Motorcycle riding is risky enough these days without riding on tires past their expiration...
Not only does the chance of a catastrophic failure greatly increase, but their performance deteriorates too...
From the Dunlop Motorcycle Tire website:
"Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties change over time. For each tire, this change depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible. Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 years or older from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear out limit."
There are those who replace every 5-7 years, regardless of tread depth/usage...
I will never go more than 7 years on a motorcycle tire.... You can feel, as the rubber deteriorates, that the grip/traction/cushioning suffer over time.... I have put on new tires, same make/model, to replace 7 year old tires... it seemed like a totally new bike, the old tire performance had deteriorated that much...
Your bike, your money, your decision... just offering a suggestion...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
I would respectfully suggest you don't go 13 years on a tire, any tire......
Especially on a vehicle that only has two.... Motorcycle riding is risky enough these days without riding on tires past their expiration...
Not only does the chance of a catastrophic failure greatly increase, but their performance deteriorates too...
From the Dunlop Motorcycle Tire website:
"Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties change over time. For each tire, this change depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible. Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 years or older from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear out limit."
There are those who replace every 5-7 years, regardless of tread depth/usage...
I will never go more than 7 years on a motorcycle tire.... You can feel, as the rubber deteriorates, that the grip/traction/cushioning suffer over time.... I have put on new tires, same make/model, to replace 7 year old tires... it seemed like a totally new bike, the old tire performance had deteriorated that much...
Your bike, your money, your decision... just offering a suggestion...
Especially on a vehicle that only has two.... Motorcycle riding is risky enough these days without riding on tires past their expiration...
Not only does the chance of a catastrophic failure greatly increase, but their performance deteriorates too...
From the Dunlop Motorcycle Tire website:
"Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties change over time. For each tire, this change depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible. Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 years or older from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear out limit."
There are those who replace every 5-7 years, regardless of tread depth/usage...
I will never go more than 7 years on a motorcycle tire.... You can feel, as the rubber deteriorates, that the grip/traction/cushioning suffer over time.... I have put on new tires, same make/model, to replace 7 year old tires... it seemed like a totally new bike, the old tire performance had deteriorated that much...
Your bike, your money, your decision... just offering a suggestion...
On average I go through a set each season. 
Cheers!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,061
Likes: 11,080
From: San Diego, CA
Yeah, I wear out the tires on my bagger... but I also have two softails, and one of them always times out before the tread gets worn down...
I'm cheap so it hurts, but I chage them based on age anyways....
