tire dilemma
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Orlando, Florida
tire dilemma
Greetings all, I'm brand new here. I ride a 2012 XL883L Superlow with over 8000+ miles put on it since February when I bought it new. I'm getting down to the end of the original tires and looking for options. I have no problems with the stock tires, except one: cost. The tires that come stock on the bike are not available anywhere other than at the dealerships and cost over $470+ just for the tires and $575 was the best price I could get for tires and installation.
I've been looking online on several sites. I am trying to stay at stock sizes if at all possible, and know that it's advised to not mix tire brands. That is where I run into my problem. HD decided to use an odd tire size combination which has so far made it impossible to find one tire available in both tire sizes. Those sizes are as follows
front - 120/70/18
rear - 150/60/17
I'm open for suggestions. I have found some decent tires that would require at least one tire to be off-size. What do you guys/gals suggest?
I've been looking online on several sites. I am trying to stay at stock sizes if at all possible, and know that it's advised to not mix tire brands. That is where I run into my problem. HD decided to use an odd tire size combination which has so far made it impossible to find one tire available in both tire sizes. Those sizes are as follows
front - 120/70/18
rear - 150/60/17
I'm open for suggestions. I have found some decent tires that would require at least one tire to be off-size. What do you guys/gals suggest?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. Another SuperLow here, although with fewer miles than you, so I haven't looked around yet. I have just checked UK suppliers and those Scorcher 11 tyres are available here from non-HD sources, so they should come in at lower than full price. They also do a 180/55 rear.......
I'm an Avon fan and have used them for decades on my various Harleys, so they will be my choice, when the time comes. However you are right about the odd sizes! Avon do a suitable front and a 150/70 rear in their Storm range. I'm not fussy about staying low, so that is one possibility I will consider. I run a Storm on the rear of my Glide, although it is early days with that (I have a Deuce wheel in it!)
I'm an Avon fan and have used them for decades on my various Harleys, so they will be my choice, when the time comes. However you are right about the odd sizes! Avon do a suitable front and a 150/70 rear in their Storm range. I'm not fussy about staying low, so that is one possibility I will consider. I run a Storm on the rear of my Glide, although it is early days with that (I have a Deuce wheel in it!)
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5
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From: Orlando, Florida
Thanks for responding.
I guess my main question is which would be best:
-different tire models in exact sizes
-matching model tires with one being slightly taller than stock
-matching model tires with one being slightly wider than stock
I think those are my options right now other than the overpriced HD tires over here.
I guess my main question is which would be best:
-different tire models in exact sizes
-matching model tires with one being slightly taller than stock
-matching model tires with one being slightly wider than stock
I think those are my options right now other than the overpriced HD tires over here.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Fortunately the wider rims our bikes have mean that slightly wider tyres are a real possibility, such as 130 on the front. I was joking with my reference to a 180/55 rear, which may be too wide for other reasons, such as belt clearance, but a 160/60 may fit.
I've just remembered that I have Metzelers on my Buell and they offer suitable sizes! Look for their Roadtech Z8 Interact.
I've just remembered that I have Metzelers on my Buell and they offer suitable sizes! Look for their Roadtech Z8 Interact.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
https://www.denniskirk.com/michelin/...prd/543364.sku
If this link works, here is a front one, if not go to Dennis Kirk and search, 120/70/r18.
It works, I'll find a rear one.
Here's a whole gang of rear ones.
https://www.denniskirk.com/search/cr...2Fr17.q/20.ipp
To be fair here they are at J&PCycles
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/ZZ25172
If this link works, here is a front one, if not go to Dennis Kirk and search, 120/70/r18.
It works, I'll find a rear one.
Here's a whole gang of rear ones.
https://www.denniskirk.com/search/cr...2Fr17.q/20.ipp
To be fair here they are at J&PCycles
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/ZZ25172
Last edited by 1200Cdriver; Dec 10, 2012 at 09:03 AM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 456
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From: Missouri
I have an 11 superlow and had the same issue when I changed tires in oct. I had to put stk tires back on so not to have different brands on front n rear or a sports bike tire. Dealer is hoping that by next year there will be more tire options available. I'm crossing my fingers!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
Something I'm curious about is how you wear out a set of tires in 8,000 miles. I replaced my rear 150x80x16 at 16,450 and my front 80x90x21 is still going strong at 18,000, it will likely make 22,000 the way it looks now. My bike doesn't move without checking the tire pressure first, is that the secret?
Last edited by 1200Cdriver; Dec 10, 2012 at 11:29 AM.
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Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5
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From: Orlando, Florida
Something I'm curious about is how you wear out a set of tires in 8,000 miles. I replaced my rear 150x80x16 at 16,450 and my front 80x90x21 is still going strong at 18,000, it will likely make 22,000 the way it looks now. My bike doesn't move without checking the tire pressure first, is that the secret?
Most motorcycle tires have a regular life span of about 10k if you're lucky. With sport bikes it can be even less. Not sure how you have managed to get that much out of tires, but you are the first person I've heard of getting more than 15k.
The tires they are using on the superlow are basically a sport bike type of compound tire. This means it has a very aggressive grip using a softer compound that wear out quickly. Also like it's been pointed out, I live in Florida. I also use my bike as my main mode of transportation having put over 8k miles on it in about 8 months w/o having gone out of central Florida with it yet. So considering my primary roads are a lot of city streets most of the time, it's not hard to wear that center down rather quick.
Thanks for the suggestions and links. I will look through those links when I get a little more time today (posting this on lunch break at work).