What happens when you get a flat on the front?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 18, 2019 | 07:14 AM

#11

470004

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 25,075

Likes: 19,467

From: New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxtrapper

If the front tire gradually goes flat, you've got a good chance of successfully pulling over. If it blows out catastrophically, you're far more likely to go down. A good reason to watch tire pressure and not run ancient tires.

+1....

Jul 18, 2019 | 07:17 AM

#12

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridinwithgranny

Hello folks. I am new owner of the FLHTK and I am wondering how does it feel to get a flat on the front when you ride?
Its a serious question. I am not new to riding but this is a first heavy bike I ever owned. Would love to hear the best technique to handle the bike should the front go.

There is no answer to a question like this! If it is any consolation the vast majority of punctures on a bike are in the rear tyre. Why? Because that evil front tyre runs over a nail or other sharp object and sends it spinning into the path of the rear tyre. Hey presto.

I've been riding for over 50 years and done well over half a million miles. I don't recall the last time I had a front wheel puncture, but it was a very long time ago. Nothing can prepare you for it, to be frank. If it is a slow, you should be able to ride safely to a safe stopping place. If it is quick (most unlikely IMHO) your natural reactions are all you have to fall back onto.

Stop worrying and ride! Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious in your path....

Jul 18, 2019 | 11:35 AM

#13

Brewmany

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 4,214

Likes: 661

From: Prior Lake, MN

Put some Ride On in your tires

Jul 18, 2019 | 12:39 PM

#14

subgunner

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 273

Likes: 23

Truck I was following lost his entire exhaust system and I ran over it bending the rim of the Suzuki 1000 I was riding. Not a Harley but a big bike. Slow leak, so I was able to ride it out of the back road boonies and park it near town where it was picked up the following day. Tire was completely flat by that time so I was lucky to make it far enough since I wasn't going to get help from the dealer on a Sunday.

Jul 18, 2019 | 01:14 PM

#15

merlin 2

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 367

Likes: 77

From: Northern IL

pucker factor goes way up..............

Jul 18, 2019 | 01:24 PM

#16

89FLHT

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,379

Likes: 227

Had a front tire blowout on my 84 FXR while doing 70 on an interstate. Forks cycled up and down violently and things got squirrly fast , thankfully the tire bead stayed on the rim and I was able to slow down and stop successfully on the shoulder. I did not use the front brake and did not engine break , I wanted to keep the front end as light as possible. I left it in 5th and used the rear brake till I got to the shoulder.
I do not want to ever go through that again.

Jul 18, 2019 | 01:37 PM

#17

Sparkee...

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,008

Likes: 229

From: Saskatchewan

Any flat I've had was mushy to control but still controllable. I think most cruiser/touring tires are designed with a stiff enough side wall to help maintain control if it goes flat. In my opinion a catastrophic failure would be very rare and would more than likely be preventable with routine maintenance and inspections. Never ride on old weather checked tires even if they have lots of tread left.

Jul 18, 2019 | 03:42 PM

#18

Hammerhead Pat

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 3,590

Likes: 1,153

From: Brandon,Fl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparkee...

I had my first puncture/flat ( rear tire ) about 2 years ago 2 up and loaded. It was kinda windy and I felt it in the bars like a real strong crosswind was pushing me across the road. I was on a slight incline and the motor was laboring and that is when I started to head for the emergency lane. As soon as I got to the side of the road is when the guy behind me saw the "poof' and I was on the rim. Ended up breaking the bead and had 2 punctures from something, I never new what caused it and am fortunate to have ridden it out with my wife( new passenger ) on board..

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Verdad Gallardo

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Verdad Gallardo

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Verdad Gallardo

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Verdad Gallardo

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Verdad Gallardo

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Verdad Gallardo

Jul 18, 2019 | 05:16 PM

#19

tc66nova

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 201

Likes: 104

From: Ohio

I have had both front and rears go flat suddenly (not at the same time), like others have said the front is not that bad. Now the rear as I slowed down caused the *** end of the bike ti sashay all over the place like it was trying to buck me off. I think that the key is not to do anything sudden like grab a lot of brake or try to get over to the side of the road to quickly.