For all you 09 owers with cupped tires
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Summerville SC
I had the cupping issue at 14,000 miles also. While on a trip stopped at Holstein HD Omaha NE and they simply looked at the tire and replaced it no questions or hassle at all. I did not complain of a vibration. In and out less than 1 hour.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
I have had cupping on a lot of front tires. Cycle tires go out of balance fast because of wear. I have for the last 6 years been using Dyna Beads in my tires front and rear Tires are always in balance and I get great wear from both front and rear. I have 30k with tread yet on a front tire on my 07 ultra. 2 oz front and back. www.dynabeads.com
It works!
It works!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: Covington, Ga.
Took my 09 SG to my dealer today. 13k miles on front tire, its cupping but only has 4/32 tread left.....Tried to buck the warranty saying the tire was worn, I countered and long story short, new tire should be here in a few days, installed F.O.C.......Thanks to this forum I knew how to deal with problem, Thanks folks!
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Amen to that! There are thousands of us out here that bought early 2009 touring bikes with those bad tires on them. Most of us have been told by either the dealer or Harley "Too bad, it is a wear item" so Kiss Off. I am sick and tired of this bad behavior and am not likely to forget it. I am also convinced that many people who have those 407Fs on their front end don't know about their wear problems. I guess the only thing that really gets a manufactures attention is when people start to get killed from their product. Otherwise, fok em. Right, Firestone????
Business goes where it is most appreciated! Right now I don't feel very appreciated and my guess that there are a lot of others who feel the same. The worst thing about this whole scenario is that like it or not, if we want tires on our 09s, we have to buy Dunlops from Harley unless we are willing to put something other than a 17" on our fronts. Talk about being screwed. "But still, like I said, Business goes where it is most appreciated." I'm pissed.
Business goes where it is most appreciated! Right now I don't feel very appreciated and my guess that there are a lot of others who feel the same. The worst thing about this whole scenario is that like it or not, if we want tires on our 09s, we have to buy Dunlops from Harley unless we are willing to put something other than a 17" on our fronts. Talk about being screwed. "But still, like I said, Business goes where it is most appreciated." I'm pissed.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 353
From: Ohio
The D408F is NOT a just a D407F with a different direction arrow.
Both the D407F and D408F have the same base tire body. They are constructed to rotate in one direction only as indicated by the direction arrow. The outer skin of the two tires that contains the tread is also the same. But attached in reversed directions. Simply installing a D407F in a backward direction to match the tread direction of the D408F is dead wrong and will cause a disaster. Also, riding on a cupped tire is not a good idea. The cupping on the tire will cause it to pulsate its contact force with the road surface. Very bad on a wet road. Since Harley is paying for the switch to the D408F, nobody who has a cupped D407F should delay getting it corrected.
Both the D407F and D408F have the same base tire body. They are constructed to rotate in one direction only as indicated by the direction arrow. The outer skin of the two tires that contains the tread is also the same. But attached in reversed directions. Simply installing a D407F in a backward direction to match the tread direction of the D408F is dead wrong and will cause a disaster. Also, riding on a cupped tire is not a good idea. The cupping on the tire will cause it to pulsate its contact force with the road surface. Very bad on a wet road. Since Harley is paying for the switch to the D408F, nobody who has a cupped D407F should delay getting it corrected.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Ocala,Florida
Went to local dealer this morning to see if they would replace the tire due to this problem. Told the svc mgr that I had slight vibration in the front wheel. He asked when I bought the bike and how many miles on it, told him 10/08 and 8500 mi. His reply was we need to put a new tire on for you, won't cost you anything because it is a warranty item and didn't look at the tire until after he said this. He told me this before I even asked whether it would be covered under warranty. When I was leaving he came out looked at the tire and said yes it cupped. He also stated he was told that there was suppose to be a tech order coming out on this problem very soon. The service dept guys always have treated me good, and I haven't bought any of my bikes from them, not that I wouldn't, but I can never get the sales people to deal.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
The D408F is NOT a just a D407F with a different direction arrow.
Both the D407F and D408F have the same base tire body. They are constructed to rotate in one direction only as indicated by the direction arrow. The outer skin of the two tires that contains the tread is also the same. But attached in reversed directions. Simply installing a D407F in a backward direction to match the tread direction of the D408F is dead wrong and will cause a disaster. Also, riding on a cupped tire is not a good idea. The cupping on the tire will cause it to pulsate its contact force with the road surface. Very bad on a wet road. Since Harley is paying for the switch to the D408F, nobody who has a cupped D407F should delay getting it corrected.
Both the D407F and D408F have the same base tire body. They are constructed to rotate in one direction only as indicated by the direction arrow. The outer skin of the two tires that contains the tread is also the same. But attached in reversed directions. Simply installing a D407F in a backward direction to match the tread direction of the D408F is dead wrong and will cause a disaster. Also, riding on a cupped tire is not a good idea. The cupping on the tire will cause it to pulsate its contact force with the road surface. Very bad on a wet road. Since Harley is paying for the switch to the D408F, nobody who has a cupped D407F should delay getting it corrected.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
I just checked my front tire tonight and at 4500+ miles, it's still smooth.....
I'm **** about checking air pressure before each ride, so maybe keeping the pressure at 36lbs at all times is helping.
BUT, if HD wants to replace it, I wouldn't be upset.......
I'm **** about checking air pressure before each ride, so maybe keeping the pressure at 36lbs at all times is helping.
BUT, if HD wants to replace it, I wouldn't be upset.......