When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
hey guys,
I am having to buy another rear tire for the fatboy lo today. This is my third one and the first tire was the stock Dunlop that lasted around 7500 miles and was replaced the the Metzler 880 and that lasted right at the same milage. The stock valve stem was FUBAR on the stocker and I was loosing air like crazy. Took it to the dealership i dont know how many times and they just kept telling me we cant find a hole or nail so just keep an eye on the preasure and I was loosing about 20 lbs over 2 days. When it was replaced the indie shop found it was the valve stem and I replaced that with the 45 degree metal one to help out with checking the air. I am not a hard rider on my tires, not many hard take offs or burnouts but it just seems like they should be lasting longer than 7500 miles. Any suggestions on a diffrent tire choice or is this about normal? BTW the lo's rear tire is 200/55/17
After reading a few tire articles I read that ambient temperatures can effect tire wear. Considering I was riding all summer when texas saw 48 days of 100+ temps this might have contributed. *sigh* IDK maybe the FLSTFB just likes tires for lunch and i wont get anymore than about 7k out of my rears. stock front lasted about 12k i think.
Look into the Darkside (Car Tire) alot of info if you search. I've got 7500 on my stock and am thinking serious about going to the Darkside. Biggest thing I've noticed while doing research is not many if any have gone back to Motorcycle tires after putting on a car tire. Be prepared for all the experts that have never tried and know everything.
I just replaced my rear this summer............just over 7500 miles. I think that's pretty normal wear. I've met some guys that have gone over to the dark side (car tires) but they are both riding suzuki boulevards. They say they don't have handling issues because the sidewalls flex enough to handle the turns.........and you have more rubber patch on the road. Too weird for me, I'll just stick with my Dunlop 407's and live with 7500 per tire.
Check your cold and hot tire pressures. If the hot is more than 10% higher, try increasing the pressure at cold so that hot isn't more than 10% higher. (Increase pressure to run cooler.)
A cooler tire will last longer, but it still needs to get warm enough to be sticky.
Has any one changed out the wire rear wheel on a Deluxe for a solid from a low boy? I have 40k on my Deluxe and with the large bags I run you can't see the rear wheel. I am tired of buying all those tubes and rim straps. And yea the 402 on the rear only get 7500 or less.
i got 8700 out of my orig dunrock. i went to the metzeler 880 tire and it seems to be wearing about the same rate. i checked it new, 8/32. 1k miles later a hair over 7/32.. i haven't checked it lately though but i've put about 3k or so on it so far and it still handles great with no abnormal wear like the dunrock.. i run 44 psi in the tire 1 up, 46 2 up.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.