Michelin Commander II report
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 231
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada.
Is it just me?, or does the front tire tread direction seem backwards compared to the rear?, shouldn't the lines push away from the center , not in?
I have the arrows pointing in rotation of the turning wheel?, however the Perelli night dragons on my other bike have the tread going in the same direction.
I have the arrows pointing in rotation of the turning wheel?, however the Perelli night dragons on my other bike have the tread going in the same direction.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
Is it just me?, or does the front tire tread direction seem backwards compared to the rear?, shouldn't the lines push away from the center , not in?
I have the arrows pointing in rotation of the turning wheel?, however the Perelli night dragons on my other bike have the tread going in the same direction.
I have the arrows pointing in rotation of the turning wheel?, however the Perelli night dragons on my other bike have the tread going in the same direction.
Some tires are catered to OCD customers and they design the seams so the tread is backwards and the treads can match. Its just cosmetic.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 8,218
Likes: 827
From: Reston, Va
I put a set of C2s on Talulah a few weeks ago. I also upgraded my suspension as well Progressive 412s and springs. Talullah runs much sweeter than before the mods. Since I changed the suspension, I can't attribute it all to the new tires, but the bike definitely hugs better in turns.
My stock Dunlops only held out for 9500 miles before the rear had to be changed because it wouldn't pass inspection at the dealership. Since the tires were already six years old, I decided to swap the front at the same time.
My stock Dunlops only held out for 9500 miles before the rear had to be changed because it wouldn't pass inspection at the dealership. Since the tires were already six years old, I decided to swap the front at the same time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,570
Likes: 590
From: almost there
18,000 mi with a dunlop??? Those tires must not be touching the ground like in trailoring it. What are they on a Mopad? Dunlops are crappy milage by my experience, the worst.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
It is backwards. Is all about how the carcass is is bonded at the seam. If you mount the rear backwards the seam will peel back as force is applied to accelerate the bike. Front tires do not experience acceleration forces but they do experience the overwhelming majority of the braking force. To keep them from peeling apart at the seam they have to be mounted so the construction of the tire allows it to stay in one piece. Since braking consumes a great amount of traction you want the tread design to assist the best braking power, its why its backwards.
Some tires are catered to OCD customers and they design the seams so the tread is backwards and the treads can match. Its just cosmetic.
Some tires are catered to OCD customers and they design the seams so the tread is backwards and the treads can match. Its just cosmetic.
Oh wow I was wondering this myself. Really thought my tire place mounted them wrong at first. That changed after about 40 miles on them but I was very curious.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
If all one does is super slab, flower sniff or ride to church the flipping things last forever. For those that lean the bike more than twelve degrees, worst tires you could ride on, and will wear very fast.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
Dunlop stock harley tires are made with a compound like sidewalk chalk. Hard and depending on the rider, mileage is horrible or will rot from old age before needing replacement. If you roll that chalk on the ground nice and easy it wont make a mark on the ground. Start waving it around real fast and carve some curves on the pavement it wears down right quick. If you just roll down the road they last forever. Push them to the edge of their limited gripability and they scrub down to nothing fast. Mine lasted me 8939 miles and had the worst traction of any tire I ever rode on along with the worst ride. You could run 10psi in them rocks and the ride would rattle your teeth out. You can buy tires three times softer that grip instead of scrub the surface off that last just as long or longer.
If all one does is super slab, flower sniff or ride to church the flipping things last forever. For those that lean the bike more than twelve degrees, worst tires you could ride on, and will wear very fast.
If all one does is super slab, flower sniff or ride to church the flipping things last forever. For those that lean the bike more than twelve degrees, worst tires you could ride on, and will wear very fast.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
Here is the 18,650 mile tire in question, as you can see it is not worn more in the center than on the sides and there is no chalk. The rear 401 has no chalk on it nor up inside the fender. Maybe if the tire got to be 16 years old there might be some chalk from degradation but I doubt it. That chalk thing is obviously from a fertile and wild imagination.