I have 7,600 miles on my 2014 Sportster Custom with the factory Michelin tires. I was wondering when you guys usually change them out ? Side tread looks fine with maybe a little over a 1/8" in the center groove.
I've been dealing truck, passenger and tractor tires for the past 38 years but bikes are new to me.
Do I want Michelin's again or do you recommend another type that does better. Milage wear is okay but road gripping means more to me.
I DO NOT ride on wet roads unless I'm caught in a rain while riding. After wrecking many years ago wet roads scare the hell out of me....

Thanks so much for your help.

 

Look at the wear bars for judging when they're done. For replacement, the stickiest are the Avon Cobra or Pirelli Night Dragon.

 

Thanks so much, I'll see what my tire dealers have to offer in those types. Looking at pictures online I like the looks of that Avon Cobra tire. The bike tires today seem to not have much open tread, I guess I'm getting old....

 

I replaced my 1200C factory tires, Michelin Scorcher 31s, at a little over 19,000 miles and the front was not all the way down to the wear bars, the rear was.

I replaced them with Michelin Commander II tires. I only have about 1000 miles on the new tires but so far they seem better than the stock tires were new.
A couple of Sportster riders where I work have them and really like them too.

 

WOW! Michelins? I guess I'm way out of touch. When did H-D stop using the crappy Dunlops?

 

They didn't...Michelin = some models (and a minority within all HD model lines)

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2017 , Roadster equipped with Dunlop GT502 F radicals, no center groove
2017, 1200 Custom equipped with Dunlop with center groove
2017 , 883 Iron, 1200 48, 1200 Superlow, 883 Superlow all have Michelin 31 with a center groove made to H-D specifications with H-D logo.

 

The 2017 XL1200C still shows Michelin® Scorcher™ Tires.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...-features.html


The XL1200T also has Radial Michelin® Scorcher™ Tires.