OK, dumb question. Where do you guys see the tire model number on the tire itself? I must be blind. I am trying to look for the 408 or 407 number.

 

Dunlop's reply to my inquiry on that subject was "there are no plans to make Elite 3s for 2009 Touring model fitment". I suspect that it may be part of the exclusive contractual agreement that, in addition to D407/D408s ONLY being available from OEMs (ie H-D Dealers), Dunlop not make anything to compete with the D407/D408 *forcing* you to buy your rubber one place only. Really steams me!

Face it, no one in the know goes to the dealer to buy overpriced tires. Even if they use OEM rubber anyone with half a brain buys it at a discounter and mounts it themselves or takes it somewhere for mounting. Since Dunlop isn't going to compete with the dealers on rubber for newer models the competition is going to get the business. I'd Expect Metzeler, Continental, Avon etc to be offering these sizes eventually. Crying shame, Elite 3s are the best handling, longest wearing tires I've ever ridden on. Pretty tough to find those attributes in the same tire. Almost makes me reconsider swapping for a 2010 in a few weeks. If they do anything else stupid on the new bikes I'll dump the deal and keep what I've got.

TL

 

Can someone please post a picture of this "cupping" you are talking about?

 

In the center of the tread, Yours must have "worn off" already!

No seriously, are you being serious????????
If it were any bigger, it would bite you!
Look in the center "ribbed" part of the sidewall. It's pretty darned big!

 

i was at my local dealer tonight and looked at the '09's on the floor. all of the '09's FLHTC/U's [8 total] had the 408's and the direction of the "V's" was reversed from the 407's that came on my '09 FLHTC they were like the blue bike. carry on

 

Look for the name "DUNLOP" on the sidewall. The tire model # should be right after it. Mine's outboard of the white stripe in the ribbed portion. Never fails, it's usually hidden by the fender when I go to look for something on the tire, and I have to roll the bike a few feet to get it to where I can see it.

 

I've fot 16k on my 407f and severe cupping. I'm over a thousand miles from home and every dealer is giving me crap. Oh, we have to call in and get approval on monday, yeah right. So if this is a warranty issue the mo-co is going to be putting me up in a hotel until they can overnight me a new tire.

 

"So if this is a warranty issue"

Good luck with that. They told me 10-15K was normal for a front tire. I had 11k on mine and I had to buy a new tire. I wish you well.

 

I have 09 rg with the 407's and they suck, in the turns it howls like a monster truck and they only have 75 hundred miles on them.

 

Going thru the dealer the other way is like flipping a coin. Few cover all costs (the good ones), some 50%, the others just plain suck (these are the ones you should never return to).