Tire Life
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
This seems to be a problem with late model Fat Boy's. I talked to my friend yesterday that has one, and he only gets about 5,000 at the most out of the 407's. He has a 401 on it now with a little better mileage, but it is down to the wear bars at around 6,500 miles. My 99 Softail Custom with 402's, has 9,000, and looks like it will go another 8 or 9 thousand. Neither one of us rides very hard. We agreed that we ride our Harley's like we drive our cars. LOL
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
A friend of mine works at a tire shop. When I went to get tires for my wife's bike he suggested a tire called Full Bore. 2 years and 10,000 miles later they still have about 50% tread left. I'll be buying them for mine next time.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
I'm on my second rear Dunlop due to a flat with the original on my 2011 Fatboy at 2000 miles. I have 6000 on the bike now and both front and rear are about shot. I just ordered the Michelin Commander II's and will be running them as soon as the snow goes away!
14k or 8700 miles on the original stock tires and counting. I figure 20k or 12,000 miles will be no problem.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: southern IL
I'm not too sure what the magic formula is, but I've put 35K miles on my 09 Fatboy in just over 2 years and I'm on my 4th rear tire and 2nd front. Most of that mileage was 2 up. Unless I was riding to work or she was sick, she was on the back. As of 1K miles ago, she's got her own Heritage so no more 2 up for me.
The stock rears last about 10-12K miles, and the fronts get twice that. I think it went 12K, 24K, 33K, and I switched it when the wear bars were just starting to get action. On this tire, which is only about 2K miles old and looks brand new, I upgraded my rims to 18". So, it's the 200/18 on rear & 140/18 on front, both Dunlop/Harley. I get nitrogen every time unless they don't offer it for some reason.
I do a lot of day & weekend trips, i use my front brake heavily, i downshift pretty much every time i slow down, and I'm a speed demon but don't do burnouts. The only thing in my "riding style formula" that I can point out is that due to downshifting & front brake usage, I'm rather easy on the rear tire. I would imagine that's where the wear time goes the most. Rear braking has got to be a killer on the tire that's receiving power.
The stock rears last about 10-12K miles, and the fronts get twice that. I think it went 12K, 24K, 33K, and I switched it when the wear bars were just starting to get action. On this tire, which is only about 2K miles old and looks brand new, I upgraded my rims to 18". So, it's the 200/18 on rear & 140/18 on front, both Dunlop/Harley. I get nitrogen every time unless they don't offer it for some reason.
I do a lot of day & weekend trips, i use my front brake heavily, i downshift pretty much every time i slow down, and I'm a speed demon but don't do burnouts. The only thing in my "riding style formula" that I can point out is that due to downshifting & front brake usage, I'm rather easy on the rear tire. I would imagine that's where the wear time goes the most. Rear braking has got to be a killer on the tire that's receiving power.