What tire is best?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
'Best' is probably the most over-used word on HDF! In what way do you mean it? My 'best' for tyres is ride quality, meaning a smooth comfortable ride, plus grip when cornering loaded to the limit with Mrs B and our luggage, especially in bad weather on wet roads. In almost 40 years of riding Harleys I find I always go back to Avons.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
for your ultra, you could go with the american elites. they don't make an 18 inch tire for us (yet, i hope) so that is not an option for sg or rgc. (though the dunlop rep did say that the e3 front would be compatible with the ae rear, just a side note)
or you could go with the michelin commander IIs. heard a lot of good reports on them.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Try the Avon Cobra series. I had replaced the Dunlop 401 & 402. These Dunlops were supposed to be designed specifically for the Harley touring bikes, but I found them to be poor if you're seeking a nimble well handling bike. The Avon Cobras make my RKC a whole different ride. The handling is much improved and I feel a lot more confident with this rubber than I ever did with the Dunlops.
As for mileage, I think that's maybe where the Dunlops will last longer than most touring tires, but not by much. You usually go through two rears for every one front tire. I ran my rear Dunlop tire bald at 9900 miles. The front tire was still good for probably 3000-4000 more. I don't know how many miles I'll get from my Avons, but even if they last a total of 7500 on the rear I think they are worth it because of the much improved handling. I bought my Avons for $246.00 online after I received the recent $40 Avon rebate card. Pretty good deal IMO.
As for mileage, I think that's maybe where the Dunlops will last longer than most touring tires, but not by much. You usually go through two rears for every one front tire. I ran my rear Dunlop tire bald at 9900 miles. The front tire was still good for probably 3000-4000 more. I don't know how many miles I'll get from my Avons, but even if they last a total of 7500 on the rear I think they are worth it because of the much improved handling. I bought my Avons for $246.00 online after I received the recent $40 Avon rebate card. Pretty good deal IMO.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
(the michelin commander IIs should be carried by your dealer though)
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 603
Likes: 10
From: Villa Rica, GA
wow, do you do burnouts? 9000 is extremely low for these dual compound tires. i replaced mine both front and rear and 20000. i still had a lot of tread left in the front, but it was pretty cupped so i wanted fresh.
for your ultra, you could go with the american elites. they don't make an 18 inch tire for us (yet, i hope) so that is not an option for sg or rgc. (though the dunlop rep did say that the e3 front would be compatible with the ae rear, just a side note)
or you could go with the michelin commander IIs. heard a lot of good reports on them.
for your ultra, you could go with the american elites. they don't make an 18 inch tire for us (yet, i hope) so that is not an option for sg or rgc. (though the dunlop rep did say that the e3 front would be compatible with the ae rear, just a side note)
or you could go with the michelin commander IIs. heard a lot of good reports on them.