Tires for 09 touring bikes : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

eyeman · 10-22-2009, 06:41 PM

Does anyone know if any tire companies other than dunlop are mfg tires for the 09 touring bikes.I have an 09 Road Glide with about 5000 miles on it,Ive been hearing about the problems with the Dunlop D407's and am thinking about switching mfg. I have an 03 Road King also and switched over to Metzelers at the first change (about 10,000 miles). I'm on my second set of Metz on that bike and am very happy. They stick good and wear OK. I've done a little searching for 09 sizes but no luck. They use a 130/17 front and 180/16 rear.

cata5803 · 10-22-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeman

Does anyone know if any tire companies other than dunlop are mfg tires for the 09 touring bikes.I have an 09 Road Glide with about 5000 miles on it,Ive been hearing about the problems with the Dunlop D407's and am thinking about switching mfg. I have an 03 Road King also and switched over to Metzelers at the first change (about 10,000 miles). I'm on my second set of Metz on that bike and am very happy. They stick good and wear OK. I've done a little searching for 09 sizes but no luck. They use a 130/17 front and 180/16 rear.

Eyeman, I had a FLHX 09 with these tires and got the front tire replaced under warranty, had 16000 miles on it. Said there was a vibration and it was fixed. Well I did raise a little Hell and got there attention. Does your tire need replaceing now from wearing out ?? My tire was cupping.. I also checked for other tires but no-go.. I had Michelen tires before and liked them. Here at Biketoberfest this yr. I asked them about a front tire, they said by next yr. Keep Checking as someone will start making them.. Dunlop does have a replacement for the D407, "The D408". The tread pattern is reversed. Go to harley shop and look... Good Luck

Shed · 10-22-2009, 07:14 PM

Metz and Avon

vindex1963 · 10-22-2009, 09:00 PM

They have the D408 front now. My back tire D407 is at almost 20,000 and is getting replaced tomorrow. I for one am sticking with the OE tires. Great wear and handling as far as I'm concerned.

aka_matt · 10-22-2009, 09:53 PM

eyeman, u missed a couple of important numbers in ur sizes... they r 130/80x17, and 180/65x16... as of now, no other manufacturers have those sizes, altho Avon says theirs r due next month, and Metzeler doesn't have a date yet...

vindex1963 · 10-22-2009, 11:38 PM

Dunlop has the Elite 3 in 180/60-16 and these are the load ratings. Would the 60 over the 65 really matter that much? I think load ratings are the biggie.
Elite 992lbs@41psi
407 1019@42psi

Still Dunlop but an option.

cata5803 · 10-23-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindex1963

They have the D408 front now. My back tire D407 is at almost 20,000 and is getting replaced tomorrow. I for one am sticking with the OE tires. Great wear and handling as far as I'm concerned.

vindex1963; Can't believe how we got such good mileage on Back tire. I got 16000 on the front with cupping. How is your front tire wearing ? I traded the bike with rear tire over 17000 miles, FLHX.. Hopefully the D408 IS THE ANSWER.....

vindex1963 · 10-23-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cata5803

vindex1963; Can't believe how we got such good mileage on Back tire. I got 16000 on the front with cupping. How is your front tire wearing ? I traded the bike with rear tire over 17000 miles, FLHX.. Hopefully the D408 IS THE ANSWER.....

I just got back from getting the new D407 rear replaced. 19,075 miles.
My front was replaced at 13,100 because it had severe cupping. The new front D408 has 6,000 on it and looks hardly worn.

Night King · 10-30-2009, 07:06 PM

I always replace tyres as a pair; makes more sense.

Harley now has Michelin tyres as part of their programm.
Great tyres, and they look good too.

mike