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[SE66]

The picture below is the front tire on a 2009 FLHTCUSE4.  I have around 11,500 miles on this bike.   I am curious to know how many miles should I get out of this tire.  As you can see the tire is cupping in the middle which gives a bumpy ride, and there is not a lot of tread in the middle of the tire.  My previous experience on other Harley's,  I have been able to get around 17 to 18,000 miles on the front tire before replacing.  I had read somewhere that these new tires on the 09's  that a special rubber was used and that the tire life should be extended from what the normal life of a tire was. Well I am not impressed with the tire life that I have seen up to now.  I am curious to hear what others have seen on their 09's on the tire life of their Ultra's.  Maybe I got a bad tire from the start.  Anyway what causes the cupping of this tire and shouldn't the tread have lasted longer than 11,500.  Your comments welcomed.

[SE66]

2nd Pic.

[miker]

I would ask for a replacement, poor quality materials or workmanship...pro rated at least..See attachment

[9 1/2 Beers]

I got mine replaced at 9800 miles

[SBB]

I replaced mine at 11600 with a 408.
At 20500 the 408 seems to be wearing better.

SBB

[SE66]

Miker,

Is this PDF attachment from Harley or Dunlop.  I printed it out and will show it to my Harley Dealer,  Just wanted to be able to tell them where this came from.  Thanx for you feedback.

Jimmy

[miker]

TT 400 is from HD..I had mine replaced at 4500 miles due to coast down wobble.

[Arnie408-35]

Had rear 407 replaced @15,552 mi & probably could have gotten another 1K out of it but I was on the road so probably not too bad.
Front  408 was replaced @20,000 mi & showed same wear pattern as your pix.  I think I should have gotten at least another 10K out of it.  This new tire was promoted as higher milage but in fact seems to be just the opposite.  A rep @ Fred Deeley Imports (exclusive distributors of all things Harley here in Canada) told me "Thats just the way it is".

Seems like I did a lot better than others but I am not impressed.

[Diamondback]

 

My dealer informed me that the new tires front and rear should wear out at about the same mileage.  Somewhere around  13 to 15k.  As we all know mileage varies by rider, two up or single etc.

But most of the guys in South Texas are getting about 12 to 15 for both.  Excpet for the dreaded cupping on the front tire.

  

[Panhead_Jimmy]

The REAR tire was promoted as being made of dual compounds that are hard in the center and soft on the sides for long wear and cornering traction.  The Front tire was never advertised as as such.  I replaced my front tire @ 11,500 miles on my own dime since I got really tired of being told by the MoCo and my dealer that "I got good usage" from my cupped-out front tire (D407).  New tire is D408 and is wearing good so far. In the past I'd get 20K to 24K from the front and half of that from the rear.  Now it looks like I'll be replacing 2 fronts to every 1 rear.

[Diamondback]

 

Both of mine are going to wear out at about 15,000.  On my SE 07, I got about 8,000 out of a rear and 20,000 out of a front.

Now, I'll get 14000 out of both

 

[artcarp121]

My tires have 10500 miles on them and look just like yours.They are both cupping, but MOCO only wants to replace the front. My new front 408, compliments of MOCO, arrived at the dealer last week. After the front is installed, I'll see if the noise and vibration goes away, I'm doubtful.   If not

[Diamondback]

 

My front is on order also.

We will see.

 

[judgenut]

  I wrote in on this about a year ago. I have an 08 SERK and the front tire started showing wear like yours at about 5000 mi. Talked to several dealers and no good response. They checked everything and the brake rotors were out of true but not bad enough for the Mo.Co. to warrentee. Ended up replacing the front at 8000 mi with an Elite 3 and have 5000 on that and it looks good. (on my dime naturally) The bike still has a bad pulsation on braking with the front brake and is in the shop as we speak for new front rotors. I spoke to the main service rep for H-D out of Milwaukee at the Rally in Rapid city and he assured me he'd get back to me in a couple weeks. Guess what---Still haven't heard  Duhhh. Am quite dissapointed in the Co. but love the bike's fit and feel so will have to keep struggling. JN

[SE66]

Talked with my HD Dealer this past Thursday.  He called the MOCO and they said they would replace the tire at no cost to me.  As long as I didn't have more than 12,000 miles on the tire.  He also stated that the HD Rep said that the 408 is only good for around 15,000. The tire is made up of a softer rubber and 15,000 would be all that I could expect to get out of it.  I am very pleased that they are going to replace it for me,  and very surprised.  Anyway I am happy with my dealers reponse.