tire dot
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 666
Likes: 7
From: the woodlands, tx
Tire dot location
While the dot looks best at the valve stem, it appears to me that the dot is a visual reference for the installer to ensure proper tread rotation orientation.
Dot to the intake side on the tires I have purchased.
The unknown variable of wheel roundness / balance, to the manufacture, versus the actual balancing of the tire / wheel combination by the installer, seems to discount the dot having any relationship to the valve stem location.
My 2 cents.
Dot to the intake side on the tires I have purchased.
The unknown variable of wheel roundness / balance, to the manufacture, versus the actual balancing of the tire / wheel combination by the installer, seems to discount the dot having any relationship to the valve stem location.
My 2 cents.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 559
Likes: 5
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
I changed many tires, cars, trucks and motorcycles. Worked as a tire changer for awhile. If you line the DOT up with the valve stem, the tire balances better with less tire weights.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 983
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
The following is from the Dunlop tire site.
7 - Tire Installation (see also Tire Mounting)
Dunlop street tires have balance dots in the bead or sidewall area to indicate the lightest point of the tire. All Dunlop street tires should be installed with these balance dots at the valve. All Dunlop street tires also have arrows on the sidewall, which indicate the correct direction of rotation.
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/info...d-maintenance/
7 - Tire Installation (see also Tire Mounting)
Dunlop street tires have balance dots in the bead or sidewall area to indicate the lightest point of the tire. All Dunlop street tires should be installed with these balance dots at the valve. All Dunlop street tires also have arrows on the sidewall, which indicate the correct direction of rotation.
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/info...d-maintenance/
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: In the flatlands!
While the dot looks best at the valve stem, it appears to me that the dot is a visual reference for the installer to ensure proper tread rotation orientation.
Dot to the intake side on the tires I have purchased.
The unknown variable of wheel roundness / balance, to the manufacture, versus the actual balancing of the tire / wheel combination by the installer, seems to discount the dot having any relationship to the valve stem location.
My 2 cents.
Dot to the intake side on the tires I have purchased.
The unknown variable of wheel roundness / balance, to the manufacture, versus the actual balancing of the tire / wheel combination by the installer, seems to discount the dot having any relationship to the valve stem location.
My 2 cents.
I'm lost on this one?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
That actually applies only to the front tire/wheel.
The dot is a painted or inked addition to the tire, and therefore adds to the thickness of the tire in that particular spot. As the tire spins, that slightly raised portion of the tire creates added turbulence to the air stream. This added turbulence flows to the motor's air intake, and helps to make a better air-fuel mixture, therefore, improving engine performance.
I hope this clears up any confusion.
No, really....I looked it up on the internet!
The dot is a painted or inked addition to the tire, and therefore adds to the thickness of the tire in that particular spot. As the tire spins, that slightly raised portion of the tire creates added turbulence to the air stream. This added turbulence flows to the motor's air intake, and helps to make a better air-fuel mixture, therefore, improving engine performance.
I hope this clears up any confusion.
No, really....I looked it up on the internet!