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[jettjocky]

As many of you know there has been many issues with Dunlop tires  introduced on the 09 bikes. So no need to go there other than to say receiving my 09 CVO Road Glide in Sept. 08 I have experienced them all after 51,000, tread reversed, then changed back, cupping, side wall cracking (tire was a total of 19 months old) , now it's time again to replace tires

130/70B18
180/55B18
this tire size was used on the CVO Road Glide only, and  "no" Michelin does not make,  I just do not understand how all these issues contiune without Dunlop taking corrective action.  Any suggestion would be very much appericated.

[HogPro]

I replied to your post on another forum as well.  Metzeler is what you want although your mileage will definitely be less than with the stock Dunlops.  ODF course the bike will feel and handle much better.  Metzelers are much sticker and have a nicer round on them.  The Dunlop tires feel "flat" in comparison to Metzelers. 

[Wild Card]

Are you saying that you had an issue with the D408 that replaced the D407F (the front tire on the '09 models that had the issue that Dunlop addressed with the D408)? 

I replaced my D407F and have had no issues with the replacement D408.

[hd-dude]

I would not use the Metzler as the load rating is far less than the stock Dunlop. The Metzler is rated a 74 (827lb) vs. 80 (992lb)

Rumor has it the Dunlop will have the American Elite out soon for the 18" sizes. For now the only choice that retains the stock load rating is the Factory Dunlop 407 / 408 tires

[geezerglide]

I replied to your post on another forum as well.  Metzeler is what you want although your mileage will definitely be less than with the stock Dunlops.  ODF course the bike will feel and handle much better.  Metzelers are much sticker and have a nicer round on them.  The Dunlop tires feel "flat" in comparison to Metzelers. 

Besides what hd-dude mentioned, if you want the Metzler make sure you get the German made not the Brazilian made as these are having lamination problems. Do a search on HTT, harleytechtalk.org you will find a lot of unhappy users.

geezerglide

[jettjocky]

Thanks for the info, what I have also learned is while there are a few others that make these size tires, they are  NOT called out by them as fitting the 09 SE road glide.

At this point I'll stick with the Dunlops as I must change, I'm not going the ride a front that is cracked all the way around on the side wall. 

 Hopefully Michelin will soon step up with this size.

[RayG]

I have been facing the same issue for some time with my 08 SERK.  I took the rear wheel off today and hope to have it checked for run out on a truing jig this week.  I have not experienced any cracking but cupping has been my issue.  The last time I was at a dealership the service manager recommended Metzler tires. After I told him that the tires on some models are propriety and the choices are extremely limited he had the parts dept. look into a tire that would fit & handle the load.  They came up with Pirelli's that would fit, they said the load rating was identical but I have not checked into it yet.  I may be wrong but they did not appear to spend much time in cross referencing the tires so I let it go for now.  This has grown into a rather sizable problem for those of us that are stuck with the Dunlops.  The way the last 3 rear tires performed I can expect them to go 3,000 miles before they start to cup and it becomes my choice on paying for another tire or enduring the crappy ride the cupped tire delivers.  There has to be a safe and satisfactory option for us.  The sizes I need are 130/70R18 & 170/60/R17

[grc]

I have been facing the same issue for some time with my 08 SERK.  I took the rear wheel off today and hope to have it checked for run out on a truing jig this week.  I have not experienced any cracking but cupping has been my issue.  The last time I was at a dealership the service manager recommended Metzler tires. After I told him that the tires on some models are propriety and the choices are extremely limited he had the parts dept. look into a tire that would fit & handle the load.  They came up with Pirelli's that would fit, they said the load rating was identical but I have not checked into it yet.  I may be wrong but they did not appear to spend much time in cross referencing the tires so I let it go for now.  This has grown into a rather sizable problem for those of us that are stuck with the Dunlops.  The way the last 3 rear tires performed I can expect them to go 3,000 miles before they start to cup and it becomes my choice on paying for another tire or enduring the crappy ride the cupped tire delivers.  There has to be a safe and satisfactory option for us.  The sizes I need are 130/70R18 & 170/60/R17

Pirelli Night Dragon is what he was looking at, and they do have your sizes listed with the correct load range. 
http://www.pirelli.com/tire/us/en/motorcycle/sheet/night_dragon.html?url=%3Fsubtype%3Dcustom%26use%3D1

They don't have the proper load range for the guys with the 18 inch rears though.

Jerry

[jettjocky]

"Pirelli Night Dragon is what he was looking at, and they do have your sizes listed with the correct load range."

Be there done that, I am in Georgia, Pirelli is in Rome just north of us................   I called them today & gave them all the info  & ............................ AGAIN,  they would NOT cross to their tires the Night Dragon.............  I assume because they have not tested,  so I've been down the rabbit hole again and back where I started,    I did find a cross to Metzlar, but several others tried them and had even more problems than they had with the Dunlops,......   I am picking up bike tomorrow & the most recent  problem Dunlops,  next action is I'm going to find and independent lab to send the tires to,  for failure anaylsis, await their findings,  based on their findings I believe I my go after Dunlop for the cost of the previous 5 sets I have purchased & had problems with. I'll let you know what happens ....................................you might want to just jump aboard.       

[grc]

"Pirelli Night Dragon is what he was looking at, and they do have your sizes listed with the correct load range."

Be there done that, I am in Georgia, Pirelli is in Rome just north of us................   I called them today & gave them all the info  & ............................ AGAIN,  they would NOT cross to their tires the Night Dragon.............  I assume because they have not tested,  so I've been down the rabbit hole again and back where I started,    I did find a cross to Metzlar, but several others tried them and had even more problems than they had with the Dunlops,......   I am picking up bike tomorrow & the most recent  problem Dunlops,  next action is I'm going to find and independent lab to send the tires to,  for failure anaylsis, await their findings,  based on their findings I believe I my go after Dunlop for the cost of the previous 5 sets I have purchased & had problems with. I'll let you know what happens ....................................you might want to just jump aboard.       

My response that you quoted was directed to RayG who has an '08 SERK with 17" rear.  Pirelli DOES NOT have an 18" rear for your bike, as I mentioned in my post.  It's not that they haven't tested the tires, the tires were not designed for such a heavy bike in the first place. 

No one has a suitable 180/55 - 18 that I have been able to find, and I've checked all the major motorcycle tire companies.  As for your plan to do failure analysis and go after Dunflop, I like that idea but I tend to wonder just how much money and how many years of your life you plan to invest.  I don't see any major corporation just rolling over and saying OK, you caught us, here's a pile of cash to go away.  Good luck.

Jerry

[North Star]

You are correct- the only mfg that makes the correct tire sizes for our 2009 SERG is Avon Cobras but their load ratings are lower.

[RayG]

I just received a call from the dealership that measured the run-out.  I can't remember the exact measurements but he said it was easily within spec.  When I talked to the service rep I mentioned that having 5 weights on a rear tire and 3 on the front does not speak well of the quality of a tire manufacturing company.  He told me that he was also pissed off because they put 8 weights on his rear tire.  I asked him if his weights fell off and what kind of mileage he got on the tire.  He told me that he was very disappointed in both categories.  Why do we have to use so many weights to properly balance a small motorcycle tire when some tires for quality autos cost less and require less weights to balance.  I just don't understand why we are having so many issues and so few options to cure the problem.  What happens if a person gets involved in an accident due to the tire failing from the cracking if is relatively new, it's not like they can deny the problem.

Thanks for the reference Jerry, not sure what to do at this point.  The bike is on the lift for the winter and also needs a front tire.  I think I will wait until more options are available to us and make a decision before next riding season. 

[winchman]

Hello
Apologize for the late reply, I also have a 2009 SERG and have always opted for stickier tires than the stock Dunlops. I've uses Metzger Marathon ME 880 on my tour bikes with excellent service. I actually found a thread here recommending a Metzger Marathon ME880 200/50 ZR 18 for the replacement of my first SERG rear tire. The wider tire does fit and has a more aggressive look (IMHO). It's worked for me in all conditions.....got caught in a 300 miles of heavy rain. I'd highly recommend this tire.

[smenard415]

Some time back 911 hawk put a Metzeler 200/50 R-18 on a 2009 S/E Roadglide.  I never saw any reports back from him as to how it rode or how it lasted.  You still out there Hawk?   I'm will to take a chance on load capacity (although I shouldn't as I am a fat bastard) but I'm still very concerned about putting radials on a bike designed for bias ply tires.  I would even buy the matching front tire in a radial just to keep front and back the same.

My 2009 S/E Roadglide has always suffered from cupped tires front and back, old design new design.  When I lay the bike over for a curve it sounds and feels like I'm riding on the rumble strip on the side of the road.  I would do anything to get rid of the Dunlops.

How bout it 911Hawk you still with us?   Anyone's thoughts on radials?   Mixing bias and radials?  Lookin' for help here.
 

[timo482]

as a last resort - change the wheels to a size that is availiable and reliable.

might be less trouble in the long run

 

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