Switch to the D401 if you can. Those are stock on my Bones (D401 200\55R\17) and I have gotten over 12K out of one tire. I don't know how they would handle compared to what you are running but all I can say is that I ride my Bones in all conditions, solo and two up and I don't feel like I am being shorted in performace by the rubber on my rims. Like you I don't ride hard but by that I mean, I don't do burnouts or even just try to bark the tires on acceleration. On the other hand I don't ride so gingerly as not to have fun. I like to get the throttle whenever possible and I like to lay it down whenever I can such as off ramps and back roads. My floorboards scrape asphalt before I ever feel that my tires are going to give out from under me.

My Bones came stock with a D402F on the front. 25K miles and it barely shows wear. So far I see no reason to switch models\brands.

 

several yr have proven the 200 rear on the softies just don't wear good, 4-6k average..

don't know what other tire have the correct size for U...

the (on our 4th) 150 -16 - 401 lop goes 10-11k on our Heritage, but its not what U'd want.

 

+++10 on tire pressure... I have run every brand of tire out there and find that keeping them at -1 or -2 psi of the max recommended ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE for around the town riding and right at max psi for touring not only max's tread life but gives me the best traction and performance that that particular tire was designed for.

Right now I am running the new Pirelli Night Dragons and keep them at 50 psi and can lay my Fatboy loaded with my tour pack on the sissy bar over as far as it will go, even flipping up the floor boards and it still has plenty of traction. So far this set has 8500 miles on front and rear and plenty of tread left...

It used to be necessary to run your tires at low pressures in order to get the best traction... with the advent of new rubber compounds and cross treading these compounds that is no longer the case. In fact the best performance is gotten out of these tires at or close to max cold inflation psi as recommended on the tire... not the manual.

 

Thanks for all the input. I noticed that there are 3 tires listed by Dunlop in 200mm, The 205,401 and 407. I like the looks of the 205 but don't know much about it as to softness and wear.
Another thing about where I ride and live is that in New York we have State vehicle inspections once a year. Minimum tread depth on tires to pass NYSI is 2/32's of an inch.
So as you can see that does not leave much usable tread life even on a new tire.
HD states to replace the tire when the wear bars show or at 1/32.

Does anyone know what the NEW tread depth is on the 200mm 401 and 205? I believe the tread depth on the 200mm 407 is 7/23's new.

Thanks again.

 

My front tire shows very little sign of wear. My rear tire is looking a bit worn. I am shocked by the difference in wear between the front and rear tires on my x-bones. Is there any problem with mixing brands on the x-bones? I am considering an Avon for the rear tire next month. Yesteryear I mixed brands frequently but these new machines are so incredibly different! My last bike was a 1974 sporty frame that was chopped up and stretched with a hard-tail set-up, an 80" evo crate motor, chain drive, mikuni carbs(if I recall), kick start only and 20" apes. Any ol' tire would do just fine as long as it was right sized. These new machines are great but foreign to me! Any suggestions on the brand mixing and price points?

 

My understanding is that the rule of thumb is 2 rear tires for every front tire. I'll change to Elite 3 on both after this rear wears out.

 

Gracias! What'd you expect? I am in California!