Tire Failure
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
I would wonder if its just from the different compounds they use now. There's a hard compound in the center chicken strip and a softer one on the sides, maybe that's inherent of the design. I think I saw that on mine or on a past Mettzler. Id have to look again.
Frankly, I would write or contact Dunlop, they have tire engineers that can address your concern. Dealers will just give you some BS opinion of what they think they know.
Frankly, I would write or contact Dunlop, they have tire engineers that can address your concern. Dealers will just give you some BS opinion of what they think they know.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Doesn't matter how much you both weigh, if you have stock factory shocks then nothing should touch anything when your shocks are at full compression. You've done well to identify that those clips are the cause of those marks. I suggest you challenge the dealer to rectify what looks like a fault with your bike, so your tyre doesn't touch anything.
Especially if you have a high combined weight, then there are shocks out there that can significantly improve your ride. Call HDF sponsor Howard at Motorcycle Metal, he can custom build you a set of suitable Ohlins shocks, with the correct springs etc for your weight. It's the only way to travel!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,680
Likes: 602
From: South Florida
100 lbs over gross acceptable weight,and thats probably on the low side, & wondering why bike bottoms out. Your lucky Moco bought you a tire. Biguns like you and wife need to upgrade front and rear suspension before you run into other problems.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 641
Likes: 30
From: Clovis, CA
True story there. If the new tire hadn't already been mounted on my rim when I made my final judgement, I would've said no thank you. But, it all happened pretty fast.
I knew why we were bottoming out. Just didn't think Harley would allow the inner fender to be the suspension travel limiter. Should be stopping before it touches fender. The fender doesn't show any indication that its touching and neither do the two clips.
So either, the two compounds are separating or the clips are touching ever so slightly.
Either way, clips gonna get filed down and putting progressive 416 air shocks on. I ride at too varied of weights to use a standard spring gas filled. So, we'll try these 416's. Research shows they handle 75 psi, which should give me what I need. Next thing is to load up and go to a weigh station and see what each tire is carrying. That way I know if I'm close to blowing a tire just from my fat ***.
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