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[2011SERG]

I have a 2011 CVO Road Glide Ultra and it's "Tire Time!"  What are my options as far as replacements, if any?  Factory tires are currently installed, but I have couple trips coming up quick.  Front tire is a Dunlop 408F 130/70B18 63H   Rear tire is a Dunlop D407  180/55B18.  Thanks for the input!

[doublerunner]

I have the same bike. No other makers make the proper tire size and rating for both tires. I forget which tire, front or back, but no other maker makes it. I have gone so far as to contact Metzeler and Michelin and both say they will have them in the future, but not now. So if you're sticking with the same size tire and load rating, you (we)have no other option

[mark]

You're locked in with the Dunlops...which BTW, can only be purchased from a Harley dealer...no discount internet tire distributors can carry this tire.  Best bet is to buy the tires from a discount dealer like Surdyke and wait for them to advertise free shipping.  You can find tires in this size, but they don't have the high load rating you need for a touring bike.

[2011SERG]

Thanks guys......that what I was finding, but was refusing to accept it!

[dayne66]

Here's another thread on the subject.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=103395.msg1340727#msg1340727

[Tazman]

For some unknown reason, HD decided to put a 18" wheel on the 2011 CVO RG. It totally screws us for tire choices. I was seeing great reviews of the Metzeler 888's but they do not have an 18" size. Thanks HD! My dealer contact said HD will have more bikes with 18" wheels but don't hold your breath. I like the Dunlops but hate the lock that HD put on them. No competition so they can charge you whatever they want.

[mark]

For some unknown reason, HD decided to put a 18" wheel on the 2011 CVO RG. It totally screws us for tire choices. I was seeing great reviews of the Metzeler 888's but they do not have an 18" size. Thanks HD! My dealer contact said HD will have more bikes with 18" wheels but don't hold your breath. I like the Dunlops but hate the lock that HD put on them. No competition so they can charge you whatever they want.

We know the answer as to "why" HD did this...so they'd have sole distribution for every CVO that needs replacement tires.  I'm sure the bean counters calculated that none of other tire manufacturers would produce a tire for such a small market (CVOs only).  The best thing that could happen for a CVO owner is for HD to put 18" tires on all their tourers...but then HD would be cutting its own throat.

[CVODON]

Why would HD be cutting there own throat? I like the 18" rear, looks good and the OE Dunlops are good tires. I would never buy a Metzler or Avon. I support the manufacturers that support my hobbies and I have never seen a Metzler or Avon or Michelin for that matter go down a dragstrip. So only Dunlop ( A Goodyear Company) for me. And @ 20% off from a HD dealer they are not that bad price wise. IMHO.

[T-Roy]

I have a CVO Road King with the same back tire. I spoke with Dunlop customer service the other day and was told they will have a replacement available in their American elite series late this year or early next year. Still a Dunlop but at least you will be able to purchase it somewhere other than a Harley dealership.

[mark]

Why would HD be cutting there own throat? I like the 18" rear, looks good and the OE Dunlops are good tires. I would never buy a Metzler or Avon. I support the manufacturers that support my hobbies and I have never seen a Metzler or Avon or Michelin for that matter go down a dragstrip. So only Dunlop ( A Goodyear Company) for me. And @ 20% off from a HD dealer they are not that bad price wise. IMHO.

I say HD would be cutting its on throat because if they put 18" tires on all their tourers, that would create a large enough market to cause other tire manufacturers to jump in with their own 18" touring tires, thus Dunlop/HD would lose their monopoly, prices would drop, and discount tire vendors could carry this size tire.  When a company has a product for sale in which there is no competition, it's never good for us.

The stock Dunlops are good tires, until they start to cup and you have to replace them even though there's plenty of tread remaining.

[TN]

I think the dunlop HD 407 180/55-18 is an ok tire, way overpriced. The tread pattern is questionable because of the HD design input. The front 408F I refuse to run because there are much better options out there.

And Ive tried several different 180/55-18 out. The Avon was probably the best followed by the Pirelli. I'm back to running the stock proprietary HD tire right now. The cupping is unforgivable. I'd like to see an option with taller profile, 180/65-18, but they never ask me.     ..........YMMV



Ride On



(edit)   ok maybe a 180/60-18

[Tazman]

When I commented "For some unknown reason, HD decided to put a 18" wheel on the 2011 CVO RG. It totally screws us for tire choices. I was seeing great reviews of the Metzeler 888's but they do not have an 18" size. Thanks HD! My dealer contact said HD will have more bikes with 18" wheels but don't hold your breath. I like the Dunlops but hate the lock that HD put on them. No competition so they can charge you whatever they want."
I forgot to add that the 2011 CVO RG is the ONLY motorcycle in the H-D lineup that has an 18" rear wheel. I challenge someone to find another because I've looked. Even the 2015 and 2016 version don't have an 18" rear wheel so it even makes less sense that a tire manufacturer would develop a tire size for a single year offering with less than 7000 total units made.

[r0de_runr]

All the cvo street glides have an 18 in reat tire 180/55-18.

If your tires are cupping, you're not running enough air.

[TN]

lets see, the 2009 FLTRSE3 was the first bike HD starting using the 180/55-18 on, since then there has been a model, mostly CVO’s, that has this tire stock. The numbers are getting up there with bikes on the road using this tire. Still low in comparison to other tire sizes in use. For now it is what it is.

I didn’t count the vrod just because.

All the cvo street glides have an 18 in reat tire 180/55-18.

If your tires are cupping, you're not running enough air.

You sure about this? what tire pressure do you suggest?


TN

[r0de_runr]

<snip>

You sure about this? what tire pressure do you suggest?
TN

I run 38F and 42R and got about 12K miles out of the first set, and 11,600 out of the second set with no cupping.