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[GregKhougaz]

JJ,  That's quite a story.  While I don't doubt you, if true, it would expose both HD and Dunlop to serious product liability litigation.  That does seem to explain the D407 vs. D408 issue, though. 

I have a call into HD customer service about the D402 the dealer put on mine.  As I explained above, dealer says this is what HD instructed.  Dunlop says no way.  HD customer service is supposed to get back to me but the person on the phone had never heard of a D402 being used on a SERG.     Should be interesting. 

[jettjocky]

I made up nothing believe me, that is what the Dunlop guys  told me (he was a Regional manager) , could they be covering that these new tires are simply just not as good as the old design, maybe, but I doubt it, tires tech. has come a long way, and tires (like most other items)   usually always get better...... not worse, when former fronts always got at least 30K miles (straight touring miles)  with really very real wear, & these new ones are cupped to the point of having to be replaced at 11K, then there is a problem, & we both  know Dunlop did endless testing on these tires prior to releasing them,  they just never spent much time testing the them put on in the incorrect direction from the direction they were designed for, , & that is what they told MOCO.  That is the explanation for the early released 09s having the front tread running one way, & then late released 09s have the tread running the other direction.

[GregKhougaz]

JJ,

I believe YOU.  And the story makes sense. 

But after my dealings with HD, I'm not sure I believe anything else!        

[jettjocky]

Yes I know what you mean, it's kinda rare, in my opinion,  that two companies in business together BOTH incorrectly address an issue like this.

[jettjocky]

UPDATE, as I had indicated "they" warrentied my rear about 70% of cost that had almost 12K on it, which I feel was very fair, was just advised that the front that "cupped" & had to be replaced @ 13,260mi  "they" warrentied 100% including labor, so I guess I'm a satisfied camper. These tires were replaced while on the "road" in Aug. by two different dealers, so my advise is if you want to file a warrenty claim  at replacement be sure that the dealer doing the work "holds" the tire as "they" usually want info & measurements off the tire.  And who is "they", the dealer isn't saying,  it's  either MOCO or Dunlop and  at this point I really don't care which.

[sblair]

For what its worth, A buddy (who is also a service writer at a dealer) states that the MoCo no longer performs warranty replacements on the D407's(this is from Corporate).  Good luck everyone!

Greg;
  You have got an awesome "get out of jail free card" from Dunlap.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) they do not make an D402 18" rear. 

[GregKhougaz]

...   Upon arriving in Rapid City I talked at great lenght with the Dunlop guys.  Only after great presistance did I obtain the true story.   Dunlop had completed all their testing and production QC & presented the tires to MOCO for approval.  The tires were approved and placement on the new bikes started.     THEN MOCO marketing noticed that the front tire was opposite of the tread pattern on the rear tire, & MOCO directed Dunlop to change the direction arrow (and tread pattern) so both were the same.  Of course Dunlop advise  that no real testing had been done on the front with the pattern the other way, but MOCO insisted & the change be made, Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, that is why the fronts are cupping @ about 12K, and that is why neither MOCO or Dunlop is taking responisbility for this problem, but will replace if you stay on them about it. . & yet I continue to see new 09s sitting in dealers with front instaled the wrong direction, &  that tire will cup out within the first 12K, & both MOCO & Dunlop do nothing because they know many new bikes never reach 12K before they are traded.   

Hey JJ, 

       Thought about this and realized that may explain the front tire (D407F) cupping but not the rear (D407R).  In my case, the rear was cupped more than the front.  Examination after removal showed the rear was cupped a lot more.  So, what would be the reason for that?     I'm just not sure I buy the claim that turning the tire around would cure the issue or that Dunlop would allow it and risk product liability lawsuits.  "Directional" tread is used for wet conditions. 

       BTW, still waiting for HD customer service to call back from Friday...   

[Diamondback]

 

[grc]

I think you just hit on something that I questioned once before Greg.  If the cupping and rapid wear was due to the tread pattern running backward, why have many rear tires with the tread supposedly running in the proper direction also shown cupping and abnormal wear? 

There is a lot more to this entire issue than what has been reported by Dunlop and Harley, and unless someone knows a high level insider at one of those companies that can be convinced to spill the beans, I doubt we will ever know the real story.  Of course, those who are having abnormal wear issues don't need to prove to anyone what the real issue is, just that the wear is not normal nor is it acceptable.  If H-D and/or Dunlop decide to jerk folks around and not step up, I still recommend filing a complaint with NHTSA (you can do it on-line) and then looking into what it would take to file in small claims court.  If Harley and Dunlop get enough chit thrown at them by NHTSA and the local courts, I'll bet they get off their duff and take care of the people.

JMHO - Jerry

[Diamondback]

 

[jettjocky]

I forgot to mention that the reason the rear was replaced @ 11,300, was that it was also cupped badly, (70% warrenty) however I was not too concerned because it did get to 11,300, so just in my opinion, there is a "cupping issue" on both tires,  then changing the rotation of the front wheel (100% warrenty @ 13,300) just added to to the problem.  From at least just what I have seen "someone" is I believe, addressing the replacement issue as I preceive these tires are being replaced, perhaps reluctedly under warrenty.

[Diamondback]

 

The rear is not as bad as the front.  Plus you don't normally hear or feel the rear like the front.

 

[bandit]

My front 407 was replaced under warranty. But I had to email this
issue up to the new Managing Director of Europe. He then kicked
down to the national sales director, dealer manager and dealer.
Got the seat replaced as well, a little better but still not satisfied.

Bandit

[Highjagger]

My front 407 was replaced under warranty. But I had to email this
issue up to the new Managing Director of Europe. He then kicked
down to the national sales director, dealer manager and dealer.
Got the seat replaced as well, a little better but still not satisfied.

Bandit

AHA , good job from you , in germany i had no success

[ice6900]

My front 407 was replaced under warranty. But I had to email this
issue up to the new Managing Director of Europe. He then kicked
down to the national sales director, dealer manager and dealer.
Got the seat replaced as well, a little better but still not satisfied.

Bandit

I have also had success going along the same route as Bandit,
going to the higher echelons has also helped me in the past to get a replacment petrol tank, well done Bruno