When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Thanks guys for the input. And I'm really happy for those of you who are getting a gazillion miles out of yours. However NO ONE has yet to even try and answer the question. Has anyone put anything OTHER than the Dunlop factory tire on a 2009 Harley Davidson, touring motorcycle?????? Why wouldn't the 180/60 R 16 work? why wouldn't a 200/60 R 16 work?
Sorry your question is not getting answered in a timely manner, but what I think everyone is trying to say is there is probably nothing wrong with your tire and seeking a new different tire to mount is unneeded. I would measure the tread depth yourself - not just trust the dealers opinion - and see what you come up with....because.... nearly everyone is getting 13-17K out of this tire. Either your tire is simply faulty, the dealer is not being truthful, your local highway is make of 80 grit sand paper, or you weigh 900 pounds and carry bricks to work for fun.
That said, a Dunlop Elite III 180 WILL fit having seen an example of someone running that just last weekend.
I just had mine replaced at 10,000. But I picked up a nail in the tire, otherwise it would have been good for longer. I've been told that depending on how you ride can affect how quickly you use the tires up. If you only use the back brake for instance, that could be one reason it was shot. One of the mechs at my dealer mentioned that 8000 to 12000 is pretty typical for a rear, and usually 2 rears to 1 front. He also said that he's seen guys go through them in 5000 before, but that was due to there driving. Like the other guys said, you can't believe everything that they say though, sometimes you're better off checking for yourself.
I have a good friend with an 09 Ultra that has 17K miles on the original tires.
While at York back in September we spoke with the Dunlap guys and they said the tire was normally good for 10 to 12K miles and were extremely surprised that my buddy had 17K. Actually I don't think they even believed him but I know it to be fact.
With that said I just brought in a rear tire today with 7K miles on it to give to a customer of mine. He has an 06 Ultra and only get 3 to 4 thousand miles out of a rear tire and it is costing him. Now I have 7K on this tire and by my Harley air gauge with tread depth gauge it still has 8MM tread depth. The guy I am giving this tire to is an extremely aggressive rider. He pulls out HOT and stops HARD. My buddy with 17K on the 09 is like me and takes off slow and stops even slower.
I've been told the starting and stopping are the two main things that determine tire life.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.