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[TN]

ordered my replacement D407 tire last week because i was approaching 8k and middle was slick. went on a road trip... ...now at 9300, glad i noticed this condition, too much flatland riding. sidewalls and outer tread look great. my theory is when tires get rode @ 100mph+ on a regular basis the heat makes them deteriorate faster, i have sleds which require rear tire replacement @ 3k (150mph+) so my question is there tires with different compound within...eg. middle is harder for more wear, and outer softer for twisties and such.

[jeffj]

what kind of air pressure you running?

and is the scooter loaded with lots of carry ons?


jeffj

[bisounours]

Happy to read you
because with a tire used like this one, you should have stopped you drive for a long time.   
It is very dangerous. 
You risks the accident with a bursting.

Please ride safe for more pleasure ! 

Jacques

[nixobilly]

That picture gives me the heebee jeebees!!!!

You MUST have a guardian angel!  I have never in my whole life seen a tire that worn down.

Mark

[nixobilly]

I have had both Metz's and Avons and run 44 in the back 40 in the front.   My milage ran 7.5k/15K on all my metz's and looks like this set of Avons will do the same.  My factory Lops got about 8.5k/15k.  I will admit that I usually replace my tire when it starts to appear flat or if the tread appears shallow -- I've never seen a "cord" show thru.....

I'm 245lbs  and do long trips with luggage, but no burnouts, and usually ride 1 up.

I have never heard about multiple compound tires so I don't know if they do exist.   I do see that the Avon - Venom X that I run (bias)  now have a radial version.
Are mfgs moving to radial MC tires?  Would be curious about the pros and cons of radials over bias as I'll be replacing mine right before I leave for Nelson this July.

Mark

[Fired00d]

Wow!!!!! Thank goodness you noticed that before it burst.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Twolanerider]

Wow!!!!! Thank goodness you noticed that before it burst.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

I hope DisAir doesn't see that picture.  If he did some of his important parts would be crawling up behind his belly button.

[hogasm]

This is a pic of a Metzler 880 with 5500 miles

It is a 160 60 x 18" mounted on a 4.25" x 18" rear rim

Tire was installed before leaving for Nelson BC

Bike was ridden 1 up and loaded up pretty good.

[HWYMAN1]

Looks like the brand name should change to "MayPop"! john

[bobaroni]

ordered my replacement D407 tire last week because i was approaching 8k and middle was slick. went on a road trip... ...now at 9300, glad i noticed this condition, too much flatland riding. sidewalls and outer tread look great. my theory is when tires get rode @ 100mph+ on a regular basis the heat makes them deteriorate faster, i have sleds which require rear tire replacement @ 3k (150mph+) so my question is there tires with different compound within...eg. middle is harder for more wear, and outer softer for twisties and such.
 /quote]

Take it to The Tail of the Dragon...plenty of tread left for running that stretch a few times.
The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, with 318 curves in 11 miles, is America ’s number one motorcycle and sports car road.
That'll solve your tire problems.......... Yep, I said it.

[erniezap]

This is a pic of a Metzler 880 with 5500 miles

It is a 160 60 x 18" mounted on a 4.25" x 18" rear rim

Tire was installed before leaving for Nelson BC

Bike was ridden 1 up and loaded up pretty good.

Looks like your seat bolt was rubbing against the tire...

[WFP]

Looks like your seat bolt was rubbing against the tire...

and the nut under the fender.

By Billings mine was more like a washer.  With the different tire and wheel, could your actual diameter be greater than the stock tire?

[Midnight Rider]

This is a pic of a Metzler 880 with 5500 miles

It is a 160 60 x 18" mounted on a 4.25" x 18" rear rim

Tire was installed before leaving for Nelson BC

Bike was ridden 1 up and loaded up pretty good.

B...we discussed this back when I was thinking about wheels/tires.  Looks like the Metz guy was right about the heat and longevity of that tire on our baggers, IF used for loaded touring.  What's going on with the center...if I remember, the overall diameter of the tire/wheel combo was not much different than the stock 16" and 'Lop

[LRebel]

I have a friend here in Oklahoma that has a small independent bike repair shop.  He sells a lot of tires, so he always has a stack of the old pull-offs.  If you look in the stack you can almost always find a tire as bad or worse than the tire in the pic at the beginning of this thread.

Myself, when it comes to two wheels under me, I ain't going to take that chance.  Especially with a $35K++ bike.

I have run them all: D'lop, Metz, Avon,...and I don't think there are any that last any better than the others (My friend with the bike shop agrees).  Just find the tire that you like (or the one that has the coolest tread design) and keep it properly inflated and get out and ride.  Depending on when, where, and how, I usually get 8K - 10K miles per rear tire.

I am interested in the radial motorcycle tire.  If you do a internet search you will find some info on radial motorcycle tires.  Looks like mostly for sportbikers.

New bike - New tires....I'm good for a few more miles

[hogasm]

Looks like your seat bolt was rubbing against the tire...

I checked the tire in Morgantown WV and used the old penny trick. Ole Abe's head was burried in the tire. Thought that the last 500 miles to home would be fine. .......Well I was wrong. Made it to Haggerstown Md only 150 miles down the road.

The seat nut was not rubbing. Can't believe how quickly this tire wore in the last 150 miles.

[hogasm]

B...we discussed this back when I was thinking about wheels/tires.  Looks like the Metz guy was right about the heat and longevity of that tire on our baggers, IF used for loaded touring.  What's going on with the center...if I remember, the overall diameter of the tire/wheel combo was not much different than the stock 16" and 'Lop

Terry, the 160 60 R 18 is used as a stock tire on one of the BMW's. They keep them in stock at most dealers. Did not know this till after this happened on the road.
In talking to the BMW dealer, they usually get 7500 to 10,000 miles out of this tire. They recomend 42 lbs air pressure in the rear.
Called Metzler, with a large motor you will get less mileage because you are spinning the rear tire when you let out the clutch, even when you are not trying to. Also if you downshift and let out the clutch you are using twice as much rubber as when you accelerate. So in his opinion, 5000 to 7000 miles are to be expected from a harley bagger.

[StreetDog]

 ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM : center of the FRONT tire has an ridge about 1 and 1/2 inches wide. The ridge is about 1/8 th inche higher than the rest of the thread on the tire. This causes the bike to be very unstable at slow speeds ( as in just before stopping ) and wobble from side to side as your riding on that edge. I thought it was something wrong with the rear wheel. But it's flat spoted all the way around, so I guess it's fine.    Just had the 5000 mi. service done back in June. 7700 on it now. The dealer says it's not under warrenty and I should have been checking my tire presure.... WTF... why isn't it checked on the 5000 service. It DIDN'T do all that in 2500 miles. Shouldn't this defected tire be covered ?  HELP

[Midnight Rider]

ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM : center of the FRONT tire has an ridge about 1 and 1/2 inches wide. The ridge is about 1/8 th inche higher than the rest of the thread on the tire. This causes the bike to be very unstable at slow speeds ( as in just before stopping ) and wobble from side to side as your riding on that edge. I thought it was something wrong with the rear wheel. But it's flat spoted all the way around, so I guess it's fine.    Just had the 5000 mi. service done back in June. 7700 on it now. The dealer says it's not under warrenty and I should have been checking my tire presure.... WTF... why isn't it checked on the 5000 service. It DIDN'T do all that in 2500 miles. Shouldn't this defected tire be covered ?  HELP

No tires you get on new vehicles of any kind are covered by the dealers, as a general rule.  The tire manufacturer is generally the go to for tire issues.  I would NEVER count on ANY HD dealer to check air pressure in my tires, service or no service.  Really, one should check the air pressure in tires at least once a week...and they should definitely be checked if it's been more than a week since the bike has been ridden.  When I wash the bike, and it's up on the jack with the wheels in the air, I check pressure, and also do a visual to make certain I don't have any objects in the tire that may cause problems down the road.  Tire pressure varies with ambient air temps, but should always be checked cold.  Cupping of the tire is usually a result of improper inflation (low) and/or poor suspension.  Since we already know the suspension is poor from the factory, you've got that working against your tire already, IMO.

[StreetDog]

No tires you get on new vehicles of any kind are covered by the dealers, as a general rule.  The tire manufacturer is generally the go to for tire issues.  I would NEVER count on ANY HD dealer to check air pressure in my tires, service or no service.  Really, one should check the air pressure in tires at least once a week...and they should definitely be checked if it's been more than a week since the bike has been ridden.  When I wash the bike, and it's up on the jack with the wheels in the air, I check pressure, and also do a visual to make certain I don't have any objects in the tire that may cause problems down the road.  Tire pressure varies with ambient air temps, but should always be checked cold.  Cupping of the tire is usually a result of improper inflation (low) and/or poor suspension.  Since we already know the suspension is poor from the factory, you've got that working against your tire already, IMO.

TCnBham , thanks for the reply, although it didn't make me feel any better about the front tire wear. I've had 8 or 9 bikes and NEVER had a tire wear like this one did with only 7700 mi. And now you tell me the suspension's no good ? What's wrong with the suspension ? And is that why Hoist and a few of you have changed the front suspension out, they know somehing I don't. Fill me in.

[SneakyPete]

So much for safety check prior to riding

Brian, seen the centerline mark before after a dyno run.  Seat bolt/fender nut making contact with tire.

Regarding Metzelers, I am running a 150/80-16 at 42 psi on the rear and have about 6K on that tire having riden to Yellowstone and back (one up, loaded).  I was surprised that I still have plenty of meat left on the tire, was expecting more wear.  This is the third rear tire I have put on the bike (all Metzeler, same size), others did not wear as well.  My theory is air pressure, ran lower pressure (38 psi) previously.  This go around Metzeler rep recommended max pressure (42 psi) at all times for best performance.

Also, when tire size exceeds 140-90, load rating is lower which makes side wall more flexible and perhaps subject to greater wear?

Anyway, I'll stay with Metzeler     

[Hugh Janis]

I'm glad I found this thread.  I noticed over the weekend some pretty good wear in the middle of my rear tire at 4,700 miles.  I was wondering what others on this sight thought were good after market tires.  I may need to stay with Dunlop since they are made locally.

I ran Continental on my Goldwing and had a blowout on the rear at 60mph with a passenger a couple decades ago.  It was pretty hairy but managed to get it to the shoulder upright.  It was about $$ then, now it's about safety....

[hogasm]

So much for safety check prior to riding

Brian, seen the centerline mark before after a dyno run.  Seat bolt/fender nut making contact with tire.

Regarding Metzelers, I am running a 150/80-16 at 42 psi on the rear and have about 6K on that tire having riden to Yellowstone and back (one up, loaded).  I was surprised that I still have plenty of meat left on the tire, was expecting more wear.  This is the third rear tire I have put on the bike (all Metzeler, same size), others did not wear as well.  My theory is air pressure, ran lower pressure (38 psi) previously.  This go around Metzeler rep recommended max pressure (42 psi) at all times for best performance.

Also, when tire size exceeds 140-90, load rating is lower which makes side wall more flexible and perhaps subject to greater wear?

Anyway, I'll stay with Metzeler     

Pete, started thinking about why my bike since having the new motor in it, has the worst wobble imaginable. Also this could be why I am not getting the mileage on these Metzlers your getting.

This is only speculation.....the new cylinders are .25" taller than stock. This makes the upper motor mount out of alignment, which as that degree of being out of alignment more exaggerated at the rear wheel. It would be like having toe in the rear wheel. This would cause the rear tire to wear significantly.

After having a tire almost leave me stranded on the Nelson trip, I have decided too go back to a 16" rear tire. Probably go with the same 150 metzler you are running, but if while on the road a stock 140 Dunlop from any dealer, will get me home.

[Hoist!]

Pete, started thinking about why my bike since having the new motor in it, has the worst wobble imaginable. Also this could be why I am not getting the mileage on these Metzlers your getting.

This is only speculation.....the new cylinders are .25" taller than stock. This makes the upper motor mount out of alignment, which as that degree of being out of alignment more exaggerated at the rear wheel. It would be like having toe in the rear wheel. This would cause the rear tire to wear significantly.

After having a tire almost leave me stranded on the Nelson trip, I have decided too go back to a 16" rear tire. Probably go with the same 150 metzler you are running, but if while on the road a stock 140 Dunlop from any dealer, will get me home.

Tech told me today that if you use a taller engine, you should have the whole thing realigned. You are probably on to something Brian.

Hoist!

[Midnight Rider]

TCnBham , thanks for the reply, although it didn't make me feel any better about the front tire wear. I've had 8 or 9 bikes and NEVER had a tire wear like this one did with only 7700 mi. And now you tell me the suspension's no good ? What's wrong with the suspension ? And is that why Hoist and a few of you have changed the front suspension out, they know somehing I don't. Fill me in.

For one, you've now got radial tires on the SERK, if I'm not mistaken.  Air pressure is critical in a radial tire, or any motorcycle tire, IMO.  Pressure unloaded may run a couple of PSI lower than with a load.  I have bias ply Metzlers on my Ultra, and when loaded two up, I run 50psi rear and 44 on the front, otherwise it's 42 on front and 46-48 on the rear.  This was recommended to me directly from Metzler on the phone for my bike and typical load.

I'm not saying that the HD stock suspension is worthless, but if all other things are not perfect...air pressure, balance of tires, etc...the front suspension will magnify the problem and can contribute to cupping, just like worn shocks on a car.  You may not even feel it while riding, but the front tire is not always in contact with the road surface with the stock front end.  With the Traxxion AK20 catridges many of us have had installed, you will immediately notice the night and day difference.  Night and Day.  HD front suspension is the cheapest thing you can get on a set of forks, and the CVO bike is no different than any other HD bike...same bottom of the line Showa springs.  The most important thing you can do is keep your tires aired up properly...like I said, check them at least once a week.  You're actually supposed to check them before every ride.  I do a visual check before every ride, but don't always put a gauge on them.

[hogasm]

So much for safety check prior to riding


Regarding Metzelers, I am running a 150/80-16 at 42 psi on the rear

Anyway, I'll stay with Metzeler     

Pete, is this tire a radial?   Are both front and rear tires radials, same or different?

[Midnight Rider]

Pete, is this tire a radial?   Are both front and rear tires radials, same or different?

B...I'm 99% sure that the 150 is a bias ply...it was one I considered, but because of what I do with the Ultra, decided on the 140/90.  It was all about load rating for me.  If I rode solo, the 150 would have been heavily considered.  If memory serves me, it was rated in the upper 700 lb range.

[SneakyPete]

Pete, is this tire a radial?   Are both front and rear tires radials, same or different?

No, both are bias ply.  If you go back to a 150, Dunlop makes the same size, so if you get stuck any HD dealer might have them as well as a 140.  I noticed more dealers are carrying Metzelers.  Bayside started when Dunlop went on strike, decided to continue carrying them due to favorable feedback from customers.

Hoist is right on realignment, had mine done when they pulled engine, trans, changed swing arm bushings, etc.  Didn't wobble before and doesn't wobble now.  Chris did the work.

[hdbrad03]

The wear on the FLHRSE3 E3 Radial sucks! I replaced the front at 9800 miles account uneven wear. I have received warranty on the tire. I was forced to use the same tire account the new D407 being used on the 08 RK and Springer was on National backorder. I expect to get warranty on that tire also.