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[schellshocked]

I just turned 17000 miles on my '13 Serg. What are some of the best replacement tire choices? My options, other than the stealership, seem to be pretty limited. I ended up getting American Elite for the front and a Dunlop D207 for the rear, only after talking with their tech to make sure they would work. He said they are both speed rated at 130 but find out later they weren't. Long story short, they don't. Im getting a high sped wobble around 80mph, although only when riding solo...two up they seem fine. Waiting tip tomorrow but sounds like Kirk might help me out due to the wrong advice from their tech. But what is everyone else running, other than stock?

                                                    Thanks in advance!
                                                                               Mark

[grc]

There are many threads on the site Mark about this same topic.  Rather than search through all of them, I can sum it up in a few sentences for you.  The 180/55B18  80H rear tire isn't supplied by any other company.  You can find an 18" tire that will fit on the rim, like the one you bought, but it will be a tire that was designed for a much lighter sport oriented bike, not a touring model like yours.  The load rating on those tires that will fit are all much lower than what you need.

Dunlop has indicated they will add the 180/55B18 80H rear tire to their American Elite series some time this year, so that's a possibility for the future.  But since you need a tire right now, your only real choice is the H-D branded tire that came stock.

Jerry

[schellshocked]

I was afraid of that. Just wish their tech was a knowledgeable about this topic as you are. Thank you for your response!

[skratch]

actually the tech was (partially) correct in what he told you.  the 207 is speed rated that high.  what he didn't tell you though, is that the load rating was off.  the 207 is only load rated at 827lbs, while the stock d407 is load rated at 992 lbs.

the front american elite is good, but the rear tire, not so much.  plus, i know many who won't agree with me, but the american elite is a bias tire, while the 207 is a radial.  i personally don't like mixing radials and bias.

[North Star]

Why the D207? Why wouldn't you just get the stock D407?

Yes, the D407 cups after about 10,000 miles- I just replaced mine, and am running an American Elite II on the front. I pretty much had to this time, and in another 10,000 miles when this rear cups again, hopefully Dunlop will release the rear American Elite in our 18" size.

[hdfreed]

http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/dunlop-d207-motorcycle-tire

[Twolanerider]

http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/dunlop-d207-motorcycle-tire

Only a 74 load rating.  Well below spec for the bike that is the intended use within the discussion here; which was the topic and concern already presented.

[Spiderman]

I was afraid of that. Just wish their tech was a knowledgeable about this topic as you are. Thank you for your response!

HAH - - - - if you ever encouunter anyone more knowedgeable than Jerry, you let me know, I want to meet him. I consider myself pretty well versed in H-D tech and can do most of my own work, but Jerry just puts me to shame when it comes to knowning the answer to any H-D related question. If they had Jeopardy for Harleys. Jerry would be all time world champ

B B

[RonandJanet]

HAH - - - - if you ever encouunter anyone more knowedgeable than Jerry, you let me know, I want to meet him. I consider myself pretty well versed in H-D tech and can do most of my own work, but Jerry just puts me to shame when it comes to knowning the answer to any H-D related question. If they had Jeopardy for Harleys. Jerry would be all time world champ

B B

I agree!!!!!   

[Yzernie]

the front american elite is good, but the rear tire, not so much.

On a 2011 Road Glide Ultra I got 23,000 out of a rear American Elite and only changed it because I was taking a long trip.  probably had at least another 2k left on it  Have 11,000 on the American Elites I put on my 14 FLHTKSE and the rear shows absolutely minimal wear. 

[skratch]

you took my quote out of context.  I would have no problem running an American elite on my bike, but they don't make one in an 18 inch size for the rear of our bikes (yet).  the 'not so good' was referring to the d207 that the op was sold.  the load rating was lower than stock spec, and it was a radial as opposed to the bias that the front was.....

patiently waiting for Dunlop to come out with an American elite in 180/55-18