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[roadbling]

Hi guys and girls,
im looking for some advice on tire choice for a buddy of mine with his 2010 SESG currently running stock dunlops and suffering from bad cupping and related noises especially on rear.
would appreciate feedback on tire choices and performance longetivity road noise etc
thanks in advance
Paul

[grc]

Last time I checked Paul no other company was offering a 180/55 B 18 tire in the appropriate load rating.  The only tires in that size, other than the stock H-D branded Dunlop, were designed for much lighter sport bikes, not a Harley Touring model.  Word is that Dunlop will finally offer a replacement in the correct size and load rating some time this year in their American Elite series, rather than just the H-D branded version.

There are a ton of threads around here discussing the situation btw.  Your friend is definitely not the only person looking for a better tire.

Jerry

[MightyTharg]

I'm in the UK and so a lot of my miles are on cold wet roads so I prioritise grip over mileage - anything over 6k miles is a bonus.

I had a 2013 Street Glide that I kept for a year and did 14.5k miles on.

I was never 100% happy with the grip of the stock Dunlops so switched them for Metzeler 880s (I'd had Metzelers on a bunch of BMWs and had also used them on a couple of my British bikes years ago) unfortunately these 880s were made in Brazil and lethal in the wet.  Allegedly the German and Chinese manufactured ones are fine. But I went for Avon tyres instead and really liked these. They felt like a slight improvement over the Dunlops but they do require higher pressures.

Apologies, but I can't remember at what mileage I switched tyres. 

Only got 2k miles on my new CVO Street Glide so still on stock Dunlops at the moment - wheel sizes on the CVO may limit my choices when it comes to the next set.

Cheers     

[grc]

Sadly, what will work on a regular Street Glide won't work on a CVO.  Different size wheels and tires.  The stock 18 inch CVO rims are 5.0 inches wide, and the 180/55 tires are made specifically for H-D to work with that rim.  The other 180/55's on the market, as I noted above, are designed for lighter sport bikes and for wider rims.  In other words, Harley specifically chose a combination that no one else makes.  Kind of locks you in to buying their parts, unless you want to change wheels.  No one ever said H-D was dumb when it comes to making money.

Jerry

[Ridgerunr]

I'm frustrated as well. Avon has no plans to make a front tire that will fit my 14' CVO RoadKing, or my 15' RoadGlide. Michelin either  Hopefully the American Elite will perform well wet , dry and tire life.

[fastfreddy]

  grc is spot on with his advice, i just went thru this last week (again) and i had to suck it up and hand the money over to the HD dealer

[Badger Mike]

Agree with GRC on this one.  Went through this issue a few years ago with trying to put Avon on my 2010.  Terrible wobble at high speeds under load. 

[Cat Eye]

Dunlop now is offering the American Elite 180/55B18 for our bikes.

I watched them install one on a CVO at Daytona Bikeweek

[Gerhard]

The (new) stock Dunlops are not that bad. Actually they´re doin pretty well. I had my first miles on the FHXSE, dry road conditions, temps around 59F - and it´s damn OK. (don´t take me wrong - I´m coming from DUCATI 998s superbike, and I know about grip.)

[bakon]

American Elite is a better tire. Dunlop rep spoke at our HOG meeting and verified...1/16 more tread and improved design against cupping. Both use same rubber compound. But HD tire is better if you need to use dealer and want it to say Harley Davidson on the side....

[r0de_runr]

I have no cupping since I started running 44 PSI in the rear and checking it every day with a TPMS.  I add more air since I check it daily. 

I'm sure keeping it full of air is the key to longevity.

As for grip, I'm almost 63 years old, and there are things I don't ask of my Harley, like dragging hard parts.

So far, I've stuck with the OEM HD tire.  Will get the new Dunlop when it's time.