Tire Recomendation
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3rd Gear
Joined: May 2007
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Tire Recomendation
Hey to everyone, I have a 03 Roadking Classic and need to replace my rear tire. The local HD dealer recommends staying with a Dunlop, but I am not happy with the life span of the tire, I normally ride solo & only occasionally does my wife ride. I am only getting about 5,500 - 6,000 miles out of the Dunlop tire, bythe way I way approx. 170 lbs. and typically dont accelerate or brake hard. Any good alternatives to the Dunlop?Thanks for any advice!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 878
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From: Cistern,Tx
RE: Tire Recomendation
If you only get 5-6000 miles out of the rear Dunlops your either acceralating hard, have a heavy foot on the brakes, driving fast,not checking air pressure. I just changed my tires to Metzler ME880 front and rear. I had 12300 or 12500 on them. Rear could of went a little farther but we headed up to Montana in June. You only have two tires. When I change one I change the other. If I would of went with Dunlop I probably would not have changed the front. Its your bike your life so do what you feel comfortable with.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
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From:
RE: Tire Recomendation
You should be getting 10K out of that Dunlop, minimum. Methinks you don't check your tire pressures. Most run 38 in the rear, some 40psi. Front tire replacements happen around 20K miles or better. I'd stick with another Dunlop for a replacement rear, then maybe switch brands when you need a pair. Dunlops, Metzlers, Avons are all good tires and will give you good life......Metzlers might be a little on the softer compound side of the spectrum, but they sure stick in the rain.....and some guys won't have anything else.
Check those pressures weekly. Get a portable air tank at Walmart and keep it in the garage with a good pressure gauge.....pays for themselves.
Check those pressures weekly. Get a portable air tank at Walmart and keep it in the garage with a good pressure gauge.....pays for themselves.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
RE: Tire Recomendation
Yeah, I agree. I got 11,000 on my last rears, and there was still plenty left. I brake hard, and accelerate even harder
It was taken to the strip a few times, with tires spinning and once in a while a little lift on the front tire (these were on a dyna), and still got over 11,000 miles on them. Check your tire pressure often (once a week), and I think you will see some improvement. I myself have switched to Metzlers, for the rain and groved cement improvments, I only have 2,000 miles on these so far, so I can not comment their life span. But the Lops should get you at the minimum 10,000 on the rear and 20,000 on the fronts with proper inflation.
It was taken to the strip a few times, with tires spinning and once in a while a little lift on the front tire (these were on a dyna), and still got over 11,000 miles on them. Check your tire pressure often (once a week), and I think you will see some improvement. I myself have switched to Metzlers, for the rain and groved cement improvments, I only have 2,000 miles on these so far, so I can not comment their life span. But the Lops should get you at the minimum 10,000 on the rear and 20,000 on the fronts with proper inflation. 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,939
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From: TX
RE: Tire Recomendation
Ditto to what they've said.
THe OE Dunlops should EASILY get 10~12k. Heck, given your stated riding criteria.... even more!
Check your air pressure or cut back on the burnouts.
[8D]
THe OE Dunlops should EASILY get 10~12k. Heck, given your stated riding criteria.... even more!
Check your air pressure or cut back on the burnouts.
[8D]
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: Tire Recomendation
Metzeler ME880's... I swear by them! On a metric cruiser I have I got 17,000 on the rear tire and 27,000 on the front (ME880's), now this is outstanding and not likely to get that on the heavier Harley, but you get the idea. Right now I've got 7,000 miles on my rear ME880 on the Electra Glide and it still looks good - I should get 10-12k out of it by the time it goes.
Your riding habits have ALOT to do with tire longevity however... If you've got a heavy throttle hand or don't watch your tire pressures closely (or ride on alot of crappy roads) then you're not going to get really high mileage out of your tires.
Your riding habits have ALOT to do with tire longevity however... If you've got a heavy throttle hand or don't watch your tire pressures closely (or ride on alot of crappy roads) then you're not going to get really high mileage out of your tires.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
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From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: Tire Recomendation
I just changes the rear @ 12K - Less then 10K somethings wrong - Air Pressure or a Heavy Right Wrist (lol)
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3rd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 7
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RE: Tire Recomendation
Thanks to all for the good advice! I docheck the tire pressure regularily, I suspect theroad I commute to work on may have something to do with it, it buckles pretty badly from our lovely Wisconsin winters! Also, would the air pressure in the air shocks affect tire wear? I am guilty of not checking the pressure in the rear shocks, I am going to buy the HD air pump and adjust the pressure. I imagine the pressure is very low.... Thanks again for the advice!
By the way, I dont accelerate hard, my bikeis babied!
By the way, I dont accelerate hard, my bikeis babied!
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