Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[easttnrhino]

What is the latest on the sidewall cracking on the front dunlop tire, my 2011 FLTRUSE front has almost 18,000 and when i called my dealer he said he would have check the date code on  the tire and acted like he had never heard of a problem. Mine is cracked and splitting along the section where the writing is on the tire the splits are parallel to the rim. Thanks for any help.

[GregKhougaz]

Did you see this thread?   Dunlop Sidewall Cracking

A couple of guys reported that they had had cracking tires replaced under warranty. On the other hand, 18,000 miles out of a touring tire is excellent service. 

[Jswerve]

Mine is cracking at 5k

[easttnrhino]

Thanks for the info, i saw the thread and the forum said over three months should start a new post. That is the reaom i asked any new info. Thanks

[T-Hawk]

On the other hand, 18,000 miles out of a touring tire is excellent service. 

Yep, that's about 10,000 miles more that I got out of my factory set.   

[Rosco444]

I just checked my front tire and I have a 7 inch crack parallel to the rim about 1/8 of an inch into the sidewall.  Called my dealer and they are replacing it no charge.  Checked Dunlop and HD, not showing any recall?  I wonder why?  Maybe someone has to get killed first...

[easttnrhino]

how many miles on your tire?

[Rosco444]

Only 4K 

[Jswerve]

I took mine to the closest dealer he claimed that was just part of the molded portion of the tire!!! Needless to say I won't be doing any business there!

[easttnrhino]

I had almost 17000 on mine and the dealer pro rated after he measured the depth 100 dollars it what it cost me.

[DavidG]

I had 8500 on mine when I noticed all the cracking. My dealer had it replaced under my ESP. He said the tire was "leaking" wink wink.

[easttnrhino]

Guess what this front tire has cracked also seeing dealer tomorrow

[Jswerve]

Guess what this front tire has cracked also seeing dealer tomorrow

I'm getting my 3rd FREE front tire on this week due to cracking on the sidewall. Got Dunlop involved they are working with my dealer trying to figure it out. I have almost 13k on my bike and will be on the 4th front tire non of them have had hardly any wear 

[Jswerve]

I had 8500 on mine when I noticed all the cracking. My dealer had it replaced under my ESP. He said the tire was "leaking" wink wink.

No need to say it was leaking, it's a warranty covered item. My first one got replaced for cracking at 7500. 

[dlaws01]

 my dealer he said he would have check the date code on  the tire and acted like he had never heard of a problem.




Acting like they never heard of the problem is a skill developed by many dealerships and unfortunately taught to the service department managers as a method of lowering the number of warranty claims. 

[Jswerve]

my dealer he said he would have check the date code on  the tire and acted like he had never heard of a problem.




Acting like they never heard of the problem is a skill developed by many dealerships and unfortunately taught to the service department managers as a method of lowering the number of warranty claims. 

Yep mine tried the same thing then I called Dunlop followed by a call to Harley cooperate. I got all 3 of them together and the denial turned into progress.

[doublerunner]

Yep mine tried the same thing then I called Dunlop followed by a call to Harley cooperate. I got all 3 of them together and the denial turned into progress.

That sucks because you know the dealer is going to try to charge you for the tire and then it covered under warranty for them so they get paid double.

I got 2 small hairline cracks at 4,500. Dealer said he would replace but could only use Duncrap. So I used the Metzeler 888's instead and paid the difference. Well worth it IMO

[backroad Mike]

Had my second one replaced for this same reason while we were in California on vacation.  Now 8k later and back home, I noticed this new one is developing the same cracks.  Time to visit the dealer to replaced the first one last December.   3 tires in 12 months is BS.

[Jswerve]

That sucks because you know the dealer is going to try to charge you for the tire and then it covered under warranty for them so they get paid double.

I got 2 small hairline cracks at 4,500. Dealer said he would replace but could only use Duncrap. So I used the Metzeler 888's instead and paid the difference. Well worth it IMO

I get a new tire for free every 3k or so, hard to beat. The cracks are purely cosmetic but you would think they would get tired of losing $$$ and fix it.  Oh well, in the meantime, I continue to monitor and have a new tire replaced when required. 

[harleybar7]

Just had mine replaced. 9500 miles on it. The bike is off warranty. New service Mgr. (actually old one returned thank god) replaced it no charge, along with a few other things I have been fighting about for over a year. In 10 Min. he had me completely taken care of. I am a very happy camper now. I don't know why they feel it's right to jerk you around, but get the right person and they will take care of you. Seems like they ALL should be "the right person".

[Jswerve]

Just had mine replaced. 9500 miles on it. The bike is off warranty. New service Mgr. (actually old one returned thank god) replaced it no charge, along with a few other things I have been fighting about for over a year. In 10 Min. he had me completely taken care of. I am a very happy camper now. I don't know why they feel it's right to jerk you around, but get the right person and they will take care of you. Seems like they ALL should be "the right person".

I agree, I got 100% static from the service manager at my local dealer. I happened to call on his day off and hit it off right away with the other guy. I now only call or show up on Tuesdays and deal with him and not the service manager. He takes good care of me, he gets "it".

[easttnrhino]

Anybody have numbers other than one on Dunlop page at dealer right now and saying that at a little over 2/32 tire they will warranty. Call dunlop got recording.

[doublerunner]

I get a new tire for free every 3k or so, hard to beat. The cracks are purely cosmetic but you would think they would get tired of losing $$$ and fix it.  Oh well, in the meantime, I continue to monitor and have a new tire replaced when required. 

Cracks are more than just cosmetic. They are happening for a reason and IMO they make the bike unstable and/or unsafe if left un-noticed and allowed to spread and get worse. And personally I don't want to be checking for cracks before and after every ride and replacing the tire all the time

[skratch]

you know what pisses me off the most?  everytime you buy a new bike, the dealer gives you a bunch of paperwork.  one of those things is a 'brochure' from dunlop that explains in great detail what they, the dealer, and you should do in the case of any problems with their tires.  one of those things is that if the tire is not more than half worn, the dealer should replace it.  if more than half worn, it is prorated at 50%.  you are just responsible for the dealer's labor.  yet, you read time and again where someone has taken a tire in to the dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do anything for their consumer.

•You should present the tire to the retailer from whom you bought the tire or, if the Dunlop tire in question was fitted as original equipment, to the retailer from whom you bought the motorcycle. Except for mail-order tires, you may also submit your tire to any other retailer selling Dunlop motorcycle tires. Should you be unable to contact any of those retailers, please contact the Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Sales office at 800-845-8378

link to dunlops warranty: http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/info-center/warranty-info/

[Landshark]

It looks like this issue is not correcting itself.  Harley wants to deny it and Dunlop just keeps replacing tires without fixing the obvious design flaw in the tire.  Has anyone made a report to the NHTSA of this issue?  If everyone who had this tire issue did report it maybe Harley would be forced to work with Dunlop to correct it.  i spoke with a dunlop rep at the 110th and he stated the D407 and D408 are 100% Harley designed.  That is why Dunlop sell a similar tire of their own design under the name 2nd Generation American Elite.  To have your bike tied up because of a continued safety issue sucks.

[Jswerve]

Cracks are more than just cosmetic. They are happening for a reason and IMO they make the bike unstable and/or unsafe if left un-noticed and allowed to spread and get worse. And personally I don't want to be checking for cracks before and after every ride and replacing the tire all the time

Aaaaaannnnndddd I just had a new front tire installed today. Shipped directly from Dunlop to my dealer. That's the first time they have shipped it specifically for me and the THIRD front tire replaced due to cracking this riding season!!!! 

[doublerunner]

It looks like this issue is not correcting itself.  Harley wants to deny it and Dunlop just keeps replacing tires without fixing the obvious design flaw in the tire.  Has anyone made a report to the NHTSA of this issue?  If everyone who had this tire issue did report it maybe Harley would be forced to work with Dunlop to correct it.  i spoke with a dunlop rep at the 110th and he stated the D407 and D408 are 100% Harley designed.  That is why Dunlop sell a similar tire of their own design under the name 2nd Generation American Elite.  To have your bike tied up because of a continued safety issue sucks.

Yes I have made a formal report there

[easttnrhino]

well the dealer after fussing and showing him the Dunlop warranty charged me for half the tire, fair enough considering the tread, I also talked to Dunlop and complained he said the cracks in the sidewall are just cosmetic.

[grc]

well the dealer after fussing and showing him the Dunlop warranty charged me for half the tire, fair enough considering the tread, I also talked to Dunlop and complained he said the cracks in the sidewall are just cosmetic.

You do realize that if that was really true they wouldn't be spending all that money replacing all those tires, right?  Perhaps they start out as only cosmetic (surface) cracks, but they are an indicator of a real problem that could in fact get worse.  Many manufacturer's these days seem to think the general public is woefully stupid and will buy into most any lame story.  Case in point, all the ridiculous BS Harley and it's dealers spout to customers on a daily basis.

Jerry

[easttnrhino]

I agree with you just thought I share. Like I have said if Michelin made a rear tire to fit I would try them.anybody tried the metlzer. I need milage we ride about 15000 miles a year.

[Jswerve]

well the dealer after fussing and showing him the Dunlop warranty charged me for half the tire, fair enough considering the tread, I also talked to Dunlop and complained he said the cracks in the sidewall are just cosmetic.

They told me they were cosmetic as well but then proceeded to ship a brand new tire, free of charge, to my local dealer where I had the tire installed for free. If this one cracks, guess what I will do? Yep, you guessed it. Take it right back in for another until they get it corrected. 

[doublerunner]

I am running the Metzeler 888's, front and rear. Huge improvement.

[Jswerve]

I am running the Metzeler 888's, front and rear. Huge improvement.

I hear ya but your metz's aren't covered under my warranty 

[doublerunner]

I hear ya but your metz's aren't covered under my warranty 

Maybe but I feel safer knowing I have better tires on there. Warranty does me no good if I end up in a ditch

[easttnrhino]

Amen to that.

[backroad Mike]

I stopped in at a local dealer to see about the latest front tire issue.  Service rep said the original part number is now listed as obsolete.  There's a new number out now and they don't have the tire in stock.  3-5 business days.  Hopefully along with a new part numbers that means there's also something improved with the tire. Time will tell.  This will be my fourth front tire and all have been replaced for the same issue since I purchased the bike new.

[Jswerve]

Maybe but I feel safer knowing I have better tires on there. Warranty does me no good if I end up in a ditch

It's gonna be pretty hard to have a tire fail when I get a new one every month, literally. The issue will be resolved eventually and I will go back to having to actually purchase tires again like most people. We all have different feelings about different topics. Enjoy your new tires. 

[doublerunner]

It's gonna be pretty hard to have a tire fail when I get a new one every month, literally. The issue will be resolved eventually and I will go back to having to actually purchase tires again like most people. We all have different feelings about different topics. Enjoy your new tires. 

Agreed. No hassle at all

Took a long ride this morning with the wife. After our 1st stop she commented on how much more enjoyable the ride was for her. The wind buffeting was not pushing us all over the highway anymore and she felt like the bike was hugging the road. This was the most enjoyable highway ride I have had in a long time  If I don't get as many miles out of the Metzeler 888's as I do out of the Duncraps, I don't care. I would always trade more safety and a better ride vs a few extra miles. I have always felt that tires made for long tread life are too hard  to make for an enjoyable smooth ride.

I also put on a new 11" Freedom shield air curve today. So much better than the stock wind shield 

[Jswerve]

Agreed. No hassle at all

Nope, sure isn't. Driving my beautiful bike to a dealer taking back roads 50 miles away and surfing the clearance rack for good deals is hardly a hassle. I have a very good relationship with many members at the dealer and rather enjoy their company. My wife and I do this frequently whether we are having a tire replaced or out for a ride.  

We don't get any buffeting and my wife very much enjoys the ride, perhaps even more then I do.

 Again, enjoy your new tires and let's put this baby to rest already. If you are fortunate enough to never have a problem, congrats. My last bike never had a single issue, it happens once in awhile. I don't recall go around bashing the other guys that did have problems though.  

[Jswerve]

I stopped in at a local dealer to see about the latest front tire issue.  Service rep said the original part number is now listed as obsolete.  There's a new number out now and they don't have the tire in stock.  3-5 business days.  Hopefully along with a new part numbers that means there's also something improved with the tire. Time will tell.  This will be my fourth front tire and all have been replaced for the same issue since I purchased the bike new.

My newest tire was personally shipped by Dave at Dunlop. I will keep a good eye on it, as always, and report back with any new findings. Going to get the latest manufacturer date as well to share. Maybe I can help someone in the future!