Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tires

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 05-16-2016, 05:09 PM
fftoddster's Avatar
fftoddster
fftoddster is offline
Cruiser
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Huntingtin Beach CA
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 5 Posts
Default Tires

Still fairly new to having bikes. (11,500 mi new)

My question is when do I need to start thinking about tire replacement.
I have a 2014 SGS with 11,500 mi. Stock tires 407/408.
The rears have 5/32" left and the fronts 6/32"
Not sure how much they had when new.

Have a trip coming up in a month from Southern CA to almost Canada along the 1 and 101 hwy's (twisty)
Will be putting about 3,000 mi on.

Should I be concerned and replace prior
 
  #2  
Old 05-16-2016, 05:36 PM
fftoddster's Avatar
fftoddster
fftoddster is offline
Cruiser
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Huntingtin Beach CA
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Looks like I have another 4/32" till I hit the wear bars. Is that right (wear bars are at about 1/32" of treadwear left?)

I think there is enough wear left?
Just concerned cuz a lot of what I have read and people telling me they only get 12,000 out of a tire.
 
  #3  
Old 05-16-2016, 05:43 PM
caberto's Avatar
caberto
caberto is offline
Road Master
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Acton, CA
Posts: 752
Received 22 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

I've always gotten at least 17K out of my rear tires on my (now my wife's) 2010 Road King, riding mostly solo, and keeping the tire inflated to 38-40 psi. The HD front tires usually go for at least 25K in my experience. That goes for both stock Dunlops and the Commander II's on it now. I have about 12K miles on my 15 RGS, and wouldn't hesitate to leave them on for a 3000 mile trip... they still have plenty of tread left, but that's me.

Having said that, piece of mind goes a long way towards enjoying your trip.
 

Last edited by caberto; 05-16-2016 at 05:48 PM.
  #4  
Old 05-16-2016, 05:51 PM
qtrracer's Avatar
qtrracer
qtrracer is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,533
Received 131 Likes on 104 Posts
Default

Front had 6/32" when new
Rear had 10/32" when new
So you're just over 1/2 life on the rear and like new on the front. You should be a-ok. I just replaced my rear tire and it was at the wear bar. You'll notice a rougher ride and it'll track funky on the rear when it is ready to be changed. I made a joke to the tire guy about my tire being at the wear bar, he stated that he sees it all the time now, people are getting all the life they can out of tires now and not changing out prematurely anymore. Sign of the times he said.
 
  #5  
Old 05-16-2016, 07:28 PM
EdwardK's Avatar
EdwardK
EdwardK is offline
Road Warrior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 1,800
Received 304 Likes on 226 Posts
Default

Do you have a GPS? If so, load all the HD dealerships into it. If you are trying to get everything out of the tire, you can have it changed on the trip.
 
  #6  
Old 05-16-2016, 07:37 PM
2AMGuy's Avatar
2AMGuy
2AMGuy is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 8,944
Received 2,458 Likes on 1,589 Posts
Default

I replaced the rear tire on my Ultra at 3/32nds as it was nearing the start of the riding season (last year) and I didn't want to be bothered by having to get a new tire while on a trip (been there done that).
There's also a better chance that you can get a better price, and a better selection of a tire(s) if you buy them near your home.
 
  #7  
Old 05-16-2016, 08:51 PM
Notgrownup's Avatar
Notgrownup
Notgrownup is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Snow Hill, NC
Posts: 22,732
Received 6,324 Likes on 3,269 Posts
Default

Order you a American Elite online, find yourself an Independent shop that will swap it for you and do it at the last minute before your trip.
 
  #8  
Old 05-16-2016, 08:54 PM
qtrracer's Avatar
qtrracer
qtrracer is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,533
Received 131 Likes on 104 Posts
Default

You have almost 50% life left on the rear tire. I'd ride on.
 
  #9  
Old 05-16-2016, 11:21 PM
fftoddster's Avatar
fftoddster
fftoddster is offline
Cruiser
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Huntingtin Beach CA
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Thanks guys that helped put me at ease. knowing the original tread depth and that others have gotten well over 15,000 mi on same tires I think I will be fine.

Thought my tires looked plenty good but then started hearing people saying they had to replace them by 10-12K I got a bit concerned.
 
  #10  
Old 05-17-2016, 05:49 AM
Notgrownup's Avatar
Notgrownup
Notgrownup is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Snow Hill, NC
Posts: 22,732
Received 6,324 Likes on 3,269 Posts
Default

Still, always nice to have one on hand. Ready to go.
 


Quick Reply: Tires



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:33 PM.