Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  
Pages: [1] 2  All

Author Topic: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change  (Read 7058 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

ultracobbie

  • Full CVO Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 101
    • IN


    • CVO1: 2009 FLHTCUSE4 Ruby Red / Typhoon Maroon
    • CVO2: 2008 FXSTSSE2 105th Anniversary
    • CVO3: 2015 FLHTKSE Carbon Dust / Charcoal Slate
09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« on: June 22, 2009, 10:06:36 AM »

Any one else notice that the tread direction has changed on the later 2009 front tires?  Seems Dunlop built the earlier tires with the direction of the tread going the wrong way.  All the lettering and the tire direction arrow on the sidewalls are correct but the tread isn't.  Of couse according to Dunlop and the MOCO putting the tread on backwards hasn't caused any problems and the fact that my front tire is cupped all to heck at 11,000 miles is normal on a dresser.   That's BS IMO because on my 2006 Ultra I was able to get at least 20,000 miles on my front tires.

Makes me wonder why they changed the tread direction if it wasn't causing any problems. ???

P.S.  NO MORE DUNLOPS FOR ME!

 :-X   :-X   :-X   :-X
Logged

Eqcons

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3843
  • A Harley isn't just for Christmas, it's for LIFE!

Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2009, 11:32:04 AM »

So what's the "early" direction, and what's the "later"?  How do we know which we have?

Jim
Logged
'14 FLHTKSE
'94 Ford Escort Cosworth, 320BHP & just 19,000 miles, owned since new
'17 Ford Focus RS
'21 Toyota GR Yaris

Screamin

  • 5k CVO Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5087
  • Number 641

    • CVO1: 2005 SEEG2 Cherry
    • CVO2: 2019 Road Glide Ultra
Logged

ultracobbie

  • Full CVO Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 101
    • IN


    • CVO1: 2009 FLHTCUSE4 Ruby Red / Typhoon Maroon
    • CVO2: 2008 FXSTSSE2 105th Anniversary
    • CVO3: 2015 FLHTKSE Carbon Dust / Charcoal Slate
Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2009, 03:48:53 PM »

Thanks Screamin.  I looked for something on tires but evidently didn't look hard enough.

Eqcons..the rear tire is correct so the tread pattern should be the same direction if you have a later one.

Talked to my Dealer this morning and neither the MOCO or Dunlop plan to do anything that he is aware of.

No more Dunlops for me! :soapbox:
Logged

Unbalanced

  • FUD Examiner
  • 5k CVO Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6710

    • CVO1: 2011 SESG,
    • CVO2: 2004 SEEG Pumpkin,
    • CVO3: 2002 Police Roadking, Maudie and Maybelle Slayer
Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2009, 05:59:11 PM »

Posted this back in late April.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=36258.0

Check out the attachment in the link.
Logged
HBRR Florida Chapter,  STILL - The Fastest Chapter - Proven yet again Bikeweek 2017

Eqcons

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3843
  • A Harley isn't just for Christmas, it's for LIFE!

Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2009, 04:14:37 AM »

Thanks Screamin.  I looked for something on tires but evidently didn't look hard enough.

Eqcons..the rear tire is correct so the tread pattern should be the same direction if you have a later one.


Well, mine has the later direction, but it's marked 407F... (and yes, it's the right way round)  :nixweiss:

Jim
Logged
'14 FLHTKSE
'94 Ford Escort Cosworth, 320BHP & just 19,000 miles, owned since new
'17 Ford Focus RS
'21 Toyota GR Yaris

LarryB

  • Tennessee Squire
  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3656

    • CVO1: 09 FLTRSE3 The Grey Ghost
Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2009, 07:07:23 AM »

Well, mine has the later direction, but it's marked 407F... (and yes, it's the right way round)  :nixweiss:

Jim
the old tire is D407F HD part # 44026-09
the new tire is D408F HD part # 44026-09A
Logged
Take it Easy Greasy Cuz it's a long walk home.

Did I shave my head for this?

Eqcons

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3843
  • A Harley isn't just for Christmas, it's for LIFE!

Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2009, 08:25:30 AM »

the old tire is D407F HD part # 44026-09
the new tire is D408F HD part # 44026-09A

I know, Larry - though my front is marked D407F, the sipes are the same direction as the rear....

Jim
Logged
'14 FLHTKSE
'94 Ford Escort Cosworth, 320BHP & just 19,000 miles, owned since new
'17 Ford Focus RS
'21 Toyota GR Yaris

LarryB

  • Tennessee Squire
  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3656

    • CVO1: 09 FLTRSE3 The Grey Ghost
Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #8 on: June 28, 2009, 08:43:16 AM »

if it says 407, then it's the old one. the rear is not in question.
the 407 with rotation had the V, the 408 has /\
Logged
Take it Easy Greasy Cuz it's a long walk home.

Did I shave my head for this?

grc

  • 10K CVO Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 14216
  • AKA Grouchy Old Fart
    • IN


    • CVO1: 2005 SEEG2
Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2009, 01:07:09 PM »

I've got a question.  If you were to ride backwards for 5000 miles on the original 407F tire, would it still cup?  

I hate to say this, since by now everyone on the site most likely thinks I'm one of those nutcases who see's conspiracies everywhere, but I don't believe for one moment that someone at Dunlop seriously thought the front tire pattern should be opposite of the rear tire pattern (might be a good idea on a four wheel drive to allow better traction in reverse though).  Let me propose another theory.  Folks familiar with these tires know that there is a little arrow molded into the sidewall of a motorcycle tire that indicates the proper direction for mounting that tire.  What if the real problem is that they made the molds for the tires with the arrow pointing the wrong way?  So now they have a huge pile of tires where the tread design and the rotation arrows do not match properly.  What do you do in that instance?
1.  Look the other way and hope nobody notices your screwup (that seems to be a very popular choice these days).
2.  Accept the fact that you screwed up and tell the boss you just caused the company to lose a few million dollars (not a very popular choice at all).
3.  Advise the customer to ignore the rotation arrows.  (I somehow think the legal department would have a big problem with this one.)
4.  Mount the tires per the rotation arrows even though that means the tread is backward which will compromise the life of the tire and possibly also compromise the traction characteristics.
5.  Quit your job and let the next guy worry about it.

If you read the dealer letter from the MoCo on this issue, you will note that they specifically mention NOT mounting the 407F backward to solve the problem.  If you search through Department of Transportation regulations you will probably find the reason why they will not now or at any time recommend mounting tires with the arrows backwards.  I wonder, though, if you were to take a dremel tool and grind off the arrows  :idea: ......................

Jerry  ;)

btw, I think Dunlop and MoCo chose options number 1 and number 4.
« Last Edit: June 28, 2009, 01:08:58 PM by grc »
Logged
Jerry - 2005 Cherry SEEG  -  Member # 1155

H-D and me  -  a classic love / hate relationship.  Current score:  love 40, hate 50, bewildered 10.

1abastarsmda

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3403
    • PA

    • CVO1: 2021 CVO Limited
Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2009, 11:38:15 PM »

I know, Larry - though my front is marked D407F, the sipes are the same direction as the rear....

Jim

Larry is correct with the part #'s, etc.  Your front and rear will be different directions after the change.  It's a bunch of BS that they have obviously admitted that there was a problem when they made the change, and then to have the dealers continue to sell the stock of the original tires is even more BS.  I had to drive about 150 miles to find a dealer with the new stock available when my tire was flattened, which made it difficult for me to try to get it warrantied...although I did try.  It was cupping bad around 7000 to 7500 miles when this happened.

Also, the comment was made, "No more Dunlops for me".  The problem is that I could not find any other tires available for the 09 SEUC from any other company.  I replaced the rear with just over 11000 miles and I found that to be satisfactory mileage on a rear tire, especially considering I could have probably squeezed another 1000 miles out of it.  About 90% of my mileage was on long trips though.  I'm wondering how I will fare with normal localized riding.  From what I heard at the dealer that replaced my rear tire, they hadn't seen another rear last anywhere near what I experienced.
Logged

Eqcons

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3843
  • A Harley isn't just for Christmas, it's for LIFE!

Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2009, 05:39:41 AM »

if it says 407, then it's the old one. the rear is not in question.
the 407 with rotation had the V, the 408 has /\

I was going by what Ultracobbie said above:

"Eqcons..the rear tire is correct so the tread pattern should be the same direction if you have a later one."

So I assume he's got that the wrong way round?  :nixweiss:

Jim
Logged
'14 FLHTKSE
'94 Ford Escort Cosworth, 320BHP & just 19,000 miles, owned since new
'17 Ford Focus RS
'21 Toyota GR Yaris

1abastarsmda

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3403
    • PA

    • CVO1: 2021 CVO Limited
Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #12 on: June 29, 2009, 07:51:27 AM »

I was going by what Ultracobbie said above:

"Eqcons..the rear tire is correct so the tread pattern should be the same direction if you have a later one."

So I assume he's got that the wrong way round?  :nixweiss:

Jim


Both tires originally came with the tread patterns going in the same direction.  The front tire had a problem with cupping, so they decided to turn the front tire around to go the other way.  Yes, it's ridiculous, but that's what they did.  Next thing they'll have us rotating the tires, but not from front to rear, but maybe changing direction every 2000 miles.  I'm surprised they didn't offer to duct tape the ripped seats that some people have.

Dunlop made the problem and Harley is standing in the way of Dunlop taking a huge hit to take care of this problem properly.
Logged

Eqcons

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3843
  • A Harley isn't just for Christmas, it's for LIFE!

Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #13 on: June 29, 2009, 08:13:32 AM »

Both tires originally came with the tread patterns going in the same direction.  The front tire had a problem with cupping, so they decided to turn the front tire around to go the other way.  Yes, it's ridiculous, but that's what they did.  Next thing they'll have us rotating the tires, but not from front to rear, but maybe changing direction every 2000 miles.  I'm surprised they didn't offer to duct tape the ripped seats that some people have.

Dunlop made the problem and Harley is standing in the way of Dunlop taking a huge hit to take care of this problem properly.

I hate to ask, but what is "cupping"?  I'm assuming it means wearing in the middle like a tyre that's been run overinflated - am I right?

Jim
Logged
'14 FLHTKSE
'94 Ford Escort Cosworth, 320BHP & just 19,000 miles, owned since new
'17 Ford Focus RS
'21 Toyota GR Yaris

1abastarsmda

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3403
    • PA

    • CVO1: 2021 CVO Limited
Re: 09 Front Tire Tread Direction Change
« Reply #14 on: June 29, 2009, 08:26:14 AM »

I hate to ask, but what is "cupping"?  I'm assuming it means wearing in the middle like a tyre that's been run overinflated - am I right?

Jim

If you run your finger across the tread, you will feel concave areas in the tread...like little cups... all over your tire
Logged
Pages: [1] 2  All
 

Page created in 0.245 seconds with 21 queries.