Tire load rating with a 21" front
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Poynette, Wisconsin
Tire load rating with a 21" front
I've been running a 21" front for a couple years on my FLHTC and do like the looks but not the longevity I've been getting out of my metzler marathon. I've been thinking of switching to an Avon since the load rating is a 68 rather than the 62 on the metzler. Running a 62 on the front has a weight rating of 584 and the 68 has a weight rating of 694. My question is how the weight rating works? Do you add the weight rating for the front and rear then add the weight of the bike with passenger and gear and subtract that from the gross weight? 
I have noticed this is the one major drawback of running this 21". The metzlers would feather on the sides even when I'm running 40psi. I only got around 7500 on my last front tire. What is everyone else running that's getting them more milage?
I have noticed this is the one major drawback of running this 21". The metzlers would feather on the sides even when I'm running 40psi. I only got around 7500 on my last front tire. What is everyone else running that's getting them more milage?
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From: Blaine, WA
I've been running a 21" front for a couple years on my FLHTC and do like the looks but not the longevity I've been getting out of my metzler marathon. I've been thinking of switching to an Avon since the load rating is a 68 rather than the 62 on the metzler. Running a 62 on the front has a weight rating of 584 and the 68 has a weight rating of 694. My question is how the weight rating works? Do you add the weight rating for the front and rear then add the weight of the bike with passenger and gear and subtract that from the gross weight? I have noticed this is the one major drawback of running this 21". The metzlers would feather on the sides even when I'm running 40psi. I only got around 7500 on my last front tire. What is everyone else running that's getting them more milage?
I have noticed this is the one major drawback of running this 21". The metzlers would feather on the sides even when I'm running 40psi. I only got around 7500 on my last front tire. What is everyone else running that's getting them more milage?Load rating is the maximum amount the manufacturer states the tire can carry, one of the front and one for the rear, adding the two together should meet or exceed the maximum load HD has set for your bike. Also note that those figures are with the tire set to its maximum inflation pressure, something most of us don't do. With a load rating in the 60's you are way under what is called for. You didn't say what year you have but a 2007 FLHTC front tire should have a 72 LR or 783lbs whereas a 62 is only rated at 584 lbs making you nearly 200lbs shy - lucky for you all you've had to deal with is increased tire wear........could be worse.
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From: Poynette, Wisconsin
Strangely with so many running 21's up front I'm not finding any manufacturers that make a 21 with the proper load rating of 72. The highest load rating on a 21 is 68 that I can find and the others are all 62v or 62h. There must be an awful lot of people not running the proper tire and exceeding the load rating then? Quite a few 21" baggers out there now.
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From: Blaine, WA
True, I would have liked to install a 200/18R and a 130F in radials of some brand or another. I'd even have gone to the expense to buy the right width wheel or get a weld up done on the agitator wheel but try finding any tires like that with the right road rating - doesn't exist. It's almost as if HD has bought off all the tire manufactures to not make the right rubber so they can keep selling the overpriced off sized HD branded stuff.
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From: Bedford UK
We can't criticise HD when we fit non-stock stuff, wheels tyres or other parts for that matter! As for WiscoKid's question the best you can do is use a tyre as close to spec as is available. I doubt if you will ever find a tyre that size that gives a high mileage comparable with the stock sizes. That's the price of going custom!
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From: Poynette, Wisconsin
Kinda of what I figured. I will be going with the Avon since that's as close as I can get while keeping my 21. It's got me wondering how bad the load rating must be for the front wheels you see on so many baggers that are even larger than the 21". I guess you reach that point where custom just lets you cruise around town and not blast across the country. I sure wouldn't trust any less load rating than what I'm running now. I like long trips without worry!
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From: Bedford UK
Having owned new Harleys since the 1970s they have all come on American tyres and none of them have been worth renewing! You can of course use Avon tyres and get the best of both worlds - British tyres made by an American subsidiary. They are what I have used almost exclusively for 40 years.
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