Tires and mileage
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
Mileage varies per individual. It depends on many factors, riding style, solo vs. 2-up, air pressure, terrain, road conditions, brand of tire, etc ....
We ride 2-up all the time and the roads in PA are tough on tires.
I have an American Elite on the rear since last year, after replacing the stock D407 at 12,000 miles. It had 2/32 left. All the guys I know who have American Elite tell me that it'll last longer than the stock 407, so I expect to get 15,000 miles out of mine.
This is pretty good because on all my bikes prior to my Ultra, I was using E3 and Metzeler and I've never got more than 7,500 miles out of a rear tire.
We ride 2-up all the time and the roads in PA are tough on tires.
I have an American Elite on the rear since last year, after replacing the stock D407 at 12,000 miles. It had 2/32 left. All the guys I know who have American Elite tell me that it'll last longer than the stock 407, so I expect to get 15,000 miles out of mine.
This is pretty good because on all my bikes prior to my Ultra, I was using E3 and Metzeler and I've never got more than 7,500 miles out of a rear tire.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I've got about 16,500 miles on my front 18" 408, and have a hair over 2/32 worth of tread left. It'll go another 1,500-2,000 miles easily. Can't tell you about the rear 18" 407, as I keep picking up nails in it.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
My 07 StreetGlide.... original tires.. I think were 402's?? Anyway.. I got 5000ish out of the original... 6000ish out of the second... then I went to E3 on rear and got a little over 9000. The original front I got 21000 out of.... FINALLY got to replace both together and went with E3 front and rear. Handles much better. I never get anywhere in the same zip code as the mileage some of the guys are claiming... but then again... I like that twisty thing on the handlebars too ;-D
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,733
Likes: 9,242
From: Snow Hill, NC
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
2009 Road King... Daily commuter in So Cal year around 135 miles round trip daily to/from work. I log a buttload of miles so can give you some insight into the OEM Dunlops and also the Dunlop American Elite.
My first set of OEM tires gave me 19,600 miles for the pair.
My second set of OEM tires gave me 20,050 miles for the rear and 26,613 miles on the front tire.
I then tried Dunlop American Elites. I got 18,547 miles on the rear American Elite. The front currently has 12,000 miles on it and still has lots of tread left.
I'm a long distance cruiser, not into carving up mountain roads or hot-rodding around, so a conservative rider. Others will get different results depending on various factors such as roadway surfaces in your region, riding style, etc.
The American Elites are an excellent tire in my experience. They give outstanding wear and are cheaper than the D407/D408's. The OEM Dunlops give a TINY BIT more miles, but not enough to justify the higher price.
The American Elite for '09 and up bikes is a great tire...
My first set of OEM tires gave me 19,600 miles for the pair.
My second set of OEM tires gave me 20,050 miles for the rear and 26,613 miles on the front tire.
I then tried Dunlop American Elites. I got 18,547 miles on the rear American Elite. The front currently has 12,000 miles on it and still has lots of tread left.
I'm a long distance cruiser, not into carving up mountain roads or hot-rodding around, so a conservative rider. Others will get different results depending on various factors such as roadway surfaces in your region, riding style, etc.
The American Elites are an excellent tire in my experience. They give outstanding wear and are cheaper than the D407/D408's. The OEM Dunlops give a TINY BIT more miles, but not enough to justify the higher price.
The American Elite for '09 and up bikes is a great tire...
Last edited by Arizona; Nov 1, 2011 at 11:43 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 732
Likes: 2
From: SE Alabama
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Joe Kucinski
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,900
Likes: 4
From: way down upon the Suwannee River
I have a 08 FLHT with allmost 80K. on it. My stock 402s last 18,000-19,000 on the rear (change at 3/32") and changed my only front at 61K. As long as I can still get the 402s I'll use nothing but them. And before anyone starts saying I'm, full of it. I live 10 miles from the nearest stop sign or red light , allways ride single and check my air pressure weekly. The two biggest factors on tire mileage are proper pressure and how you drive. Not the tire brand.
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