Happy New Year! Here is to a great 2017!
We get a lot of questions pertaining to the wear of Harley-Davidson® tires.
We have made some observations over the past several years. For the purposes of this discussion, we will focus on just current model year touring models. We see our friends ride their bikes with up to 20,000 miles on the original rear tire. We also see our friends have to change their rear tires with the same Dunlops at 8,000 miles.
Dunlop tires are expensive. In speaking with a Dunlop Tire Engineer, he told us something that will stick with us for a long time.
Dunlop tires are good at riding in the rain.
Dunlop tires are good at riding when it is hot.
Dunlop tires are good at cornering.
Dunlop tires are good when braking.
Dunlop tires are good at lasting.
Dunlop tires are good at two-up or solo riding.
Do the Avon tires do a great job in one area? Sure
Do the Metzler tires do a great job in one area? Sure.
We won't debate the fans out there who love Avon or Metzler tires.
But when we are riding, we want a tire that does a good job of all the things we run into. Not just a great job in one area and fall short in others.
With all of that said, Dunlop tires do last. Contrary to what some will argue, if you check your tire pressures regularly (every couple rides), adjust them to the proper pressure, use nitrogen in lieu of regular air, avoid hard acceleration or braking, and don't overload them with too much gear, you'll get your money's worth out of them. Our friend Stan, rode his 20,000 miles and they are the original tires. We are willing to bet if you asked Stan about his tires, he would tell you that he does the above.
#Dunloptires #HarleyDavidsonTires #TouringTires #tiremileage