What's up with these new Dunlop's?
#91
When I found this post I was hoping someone had the answer too. My Ultra front tire appears to be mounted backwards too. When I first looked at the bike on the showroom floor, it was parked next to two other Ultras, and noticed that it was different from them. The salesman didn't know why, but knew there was a recent change in the tires. After looking at some other '09's at a recent HOG picnic, it appears that the change was made around the 1st of April. All the tires we looked at that had the tread running like the red bike's, had manufacturing dates of the 13th week of '09 or earlier. Week 14 (1st week of April) and later, they go the other way. Maybe some engineer from Dunlop will read this and explain.
#92
When I found this post I was hoping someone had the answer too. My Ultra front tire appears to be mounted backwards too. When I first looked at the bike on the showroom floor, it was parked next to two other Ultras, and noticed that it was different from them. The salesman didn't know why, but knew there was a recent change in the tires. After looking at some other '09's at a recent HOG picnic, it appears that the change was made around the 1st of April. All the tires we looked at that had the tread running like the red bike's, had manufacturing dates of the 13th week of '09 or earlier. Week 14 (1st week of April) and later, they go the other way. Maybe some engineer from Dunlop will read this and explain.
When I contacted Dunlop, it was basically, 'we only build what Harley tells us to build'. True to a point, but tire experts should at least be able to advise Harley which way the damn tread goes! Perhaps time will tell.
#93
#94
I have a claim in RIGHT NOW on the 407s. The tires cupped really bad. My bike sounds like the front wheel bearings are falling out. I have 10k miles. The dealer said probably won't replace because of the mileage. I told em BS! So we did tread depth on NEW 408 and on GOOD portions of my 407. 1/32nd difference!
The D407s DO wear great! And... if HD were to offer a new tire, a 407 would suit me fine. I'd get 20k miles then outta the front tire.
The NEW 408 tread pattern has me concerned, too. But, tire engineers should know how a tire works, so I would imagine that what we SEE and how fluid dynamics actually work can be two different things.
I, too, wish E3s were made in these sizes.
The D407s DO wear great! And... if HD were to offer a new tire, a 407 would suit me fine. I'd get 20k miles then outta the front tire.
The NEW 408 tread pattern has me concerned, too. But, tire engineers should know how a tire works, so I would imagine that what we SEE and how fluid dynamics actually work can be two different things.
I, too, wish E3s were made in these sizes.
Last edited by gmurdock; 08-07-2009 at 03:05 AM.
#95
#98
MOCO replaced my front tire at half price for the tire. I didn't start the ball rollin until 9k miles and they said it was basically wore out so they would only pay for half. The labor was not reduced, but I took the wheel off the bike and took it to the dealer.
MY dealer was great about this and made repeated calls to MOCO to get at least something worked out. The tire was cupped very badly. Made an airplane type sound for the last few thousand miles I ran it(replaced it at 13k miles). Sounded like wheel bearing was going to fall out. It was EASY to see the cupping. The center tread blocks ended up being about 3/8s in. different in height!!!
Centenial HD in Patalaska Ohio did a GREAT job!
Happy with the 408 and drove through a Frog Strangler in Indiana and really felt confident driving.
BTW... my rear went to 2/32nds at 16k miles. Happy with that, too.
MY dealer was great about this and made repeated calls to MOCO to get at least something worked out. The tire was cupped very badly. Made an airplane type sound for the last few thousand miles I ran it(replaced it at 13k miles). Sounded like wheel bearing was going to fall out. It was EASY to see the cupping. The center tread blocks ended up being about 3/8s in. different in height!!!
Centenial HD in Patalaska Ohio did a GREAT job!
Happy with the 408 and drove through a Frog Strangler in Indiana and really felt confident driving.
BTW... my rear went to 2/32nds at 16k miles. Happy with that, too.
Last edited by wurk_truk; 07-18-2009 at 11:47 PM.
#99
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Danville Va, Providence NC
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Heres another question for ya. A friend of mine ordered a new rear Dunlap for his Sportster from J&P. When he was mounting it he noticed it was stamped made in Indoniasa. (or some foreign country) I thought Dunlap tires were made in the USA? Anyway it only lasted 4000 miles!
As far as front versus rear, today I put a "front" tire on the rear of my Sportster. Are there any safety issues with that? It is a Dunlop HD tire. Thank you.
#100
[quote=RANDYDOWDY;5291567]I worked at a GoodYear tire plant for almost 8 years. Goodyears, Kellys, Dunlops, and one other generic brand were the SAME EXACT TIRE! The machines made the same raw tire, some went to GY molds, some to K, Some to Dunops. Same tire, just different branding on the sidewalls.
As far as front versus rear, today I put a "front" tire on the rear of my Sportster. Are there any safety issues with that? It is a Dunlop HD tire. Thank you.[/quote]
Your comment at the the end if illogical. Not sure what you are trying to say.
BTW - were you a janitor or tire designer at Goodyear? That might make difference on the credibility of your statement too!!!
As far as front versus rear, today I put a "front" tire on the rear of my Sportster. Are there any safety issues with that? It is a Dunlop HD tire. Thank you.[/quote]
Your comment at the the end if illogical. Not sure what you are trying to say.
BTW - were you a janitor or tire designer at Goodyear? That might make difference on the credibility of your statement too!!!