Dealer's tire change policy : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

sscherm · 10-24-2009, 10:01 AM

I went to the dealer yesterday and asked if they would put a new rear tire on my 05 Fatboy. They told me I could buy one and bring it to them, that they would replace it...however, they would not mix and match tires. Whatever is on the front, must go on the back...the front Dunlop still has about 50% life left. However, the rear is bald...dealer says they will only put a Dunlop on the rear.

They say due to the grooving and potential safety issues, they cannot mix and match....

Never heard this before...Is this common?

eyeman · 10-24-2009, 10:32 AM

Probably a good idea to stick with matched sets of tires. There is more to a tire than meets the eye. I think the dealer gave you good advice!

road king 100 · 10-24-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeman

Probably a good idea to stick with matched sets of tires. There is more to a tire than meets the eye. I think the dealer gave you good advice!

I think the dealer is scamming you. I would go somewhere else.

LADave · 10-24-2009, 11:08 AM

If you have 50-percent left on the front, I'd agree to use the same brand on the rear. When its time to replace the front, then change brands. I've always tried to match brands front and rear. Don't always work that way in the real world though.

Could always skip the dealer and go support a local indy, I'm sure they'll do it with out a problem...

Dan89FLSTC · 10-24-2009, 11:09 AM

I don`t think the dealer is scamming you, he may just be covering his ass from a potential lawsuit from someone who crashes and then blames it on mis-matched tires.

ReformedHippy · 10-24-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

I don`t think the dealer is scamming you, he may just be covering his ass from a potential lawsuit from someone who crashes and then blames it on mis-matched tires.

I agree...that said,I have a Metzeler on the front of my 07 DYNA and an AVON on the rear...I have heard the tire mixing myth but,unless the mix is between different style tires(off road,street etc) I say its BS.....

SAMCRO · 10-24-2009, 11:21 AM

Dealer is right. Not that it matter a lot on a slow HD but on a faster bike, especially for track use, you never mix tires. They are developed to work together.

And the dealer ir probably covering his ass as well. We have the dumbest liability laws in the world and people file suit.

Why do you think we have these idiot labels on everything we buy (No other country needs them)

Objects in mirror might be closer than it appear. Why would we need that on a rearview mirror - because we are idots or because of liability laws, pick one.

ReformedHippy · 10-24-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMCRO

Dealer is right. Not that it matter a lot on a slow HD but on a faster bike, especially for track use, you never mix tires. They are developed to work together.

And the dealer ir probably covering his ass as well. We have the dumbest liability laws in the world and people file suit.

Why do you think we have these idiot labels on everything we buy (No other country needs them)

Objects in mirror might be closer than it appear. Why would we need that on a rearview mirror - because we are idots or because of liability laws, pick one.

One of my favorites is the warning label on many aerosol products...'Do NOT spray into eyes'...

Thos · 10-24-2009, 11:47 AM

If this was true, then what happens when the front tire is a different size than the rear?

Milehog · 10-24-2009, 11:58 AM

Will they let you put a Dunlop E 3 on the back? Still Dunlop but better than stock.

Bronxhog · 10-24-2009, 01:38 PM

Dealer is covering his ass in case anything happens to you they dont want lawsuits etc...If you're looking to put on a different rear like a E3 then go to a diff shop because there is no problem with running the e3 while you wait for fronts tor wear....No sense throwing away a good front tire.

aikbigjim · 10-24-2009, 01:47 PM

just makes sense to used matching tires. if front is 1/2 worn and u want to change brands, change both tires. matched sets are always better.

Bronxhog · 10-24-2009, 01:50 PM

dont throw money in the garbage leave front tire on til its time to change....I have an E3 on rear with stock on front absolutely NO problems at all!!!!!!!!!

Marty59 · 10-24-2009, 03:20 PM

I put and Avon Venom on the rear of my Heritage and have a stock dunlop on the front. Don't notice any handling issues at low or high or higher speed, groved or smooth pavement, wet or dry pavement, hot or cold pavement,....yada yada!!

m

sscherm · 10-25-2009, 09:57 AM

You know, I've read through a lot of posts on which tire to buy, mix matching, etc...and it seems that the most anyone can expect to get from a rear tire is around 10K miles...my stock Dunlops have 10K each on them, so I guess I'll just get a stocker for the rear until the front catches up in tread wear, then swap them both for a new brand.

I hear the E3s are loud (whine when not on center tread), the Mets wear quick and the Avons...well, nothing bad yet....

A new indy opened up down the road, so I'll buy from him, give him the business and move on....

Thanks for the advice