Possible new tire choice for r3t rear

[muleskinner]

In the model year 2009 and up, Harley put a wider rear tire on all of their touring bikes. This tire is a "dual compound tire." Harder in the center and softer on the sides. The tire is made by Dunlop. The size is 180X65/16. Ours are 180X70/16. Anyone looked at this tire? Would going from a 70 series to a 65 series be too short of a tire? The tire is rated to handle a 901 pound Harley bagger with a passenger and a load. Of course if I call Dunlop they will say it's not for the R3's. But, if it's built strong enough for a 901 pound Harley bagger, it should be okay for our Rockets. What say you?

 

[CanberraR3]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. It would lower you top speed and/or mean you need higher revs at the same speed. It will also lower a bike a little - maybe 1/2 inch. On a bike with an abundance of torque, especially on the Touring, it is a totally unnecessary change. You'll also spin the back wheel much more easily, probably without even noticing, so you'll most likely, in part at least, negate any improved mileage from the harder compound. Conversely, I've put a higher profile on my standard and I believe the lower the tendency to inadvertently spin the rear wheel has added mileage.

 

[muleskinner]

Unfortunately at 5,000 miles I need both front and rear tires! I'm a bit puzzled, as Harley baggers go three rears to one front. I'm not a hard corner rider. I like straight on speed and could understand the rear going so fast, but not the front tire!What's up with the Rocket? Why does it eat front tires so fast??????? I was able to get two rears to one front on my Honda ST1300 also,,,,. What's up with our bikes?

 

[albertaduke]

Unfortunately at 5,000 miles I need both front and rear tires! I'm a bit puzzled, as Harley baggers go three rears to one front. I'm not a hard corner rider. I like straight on speed and could understand the rear going so fast, but not the front tire!What's up with the Rocket? Why does it eat front tires so fast??????? I was able to get two rears to one front on my Honda ST1300 also,,,,. What's up with our bikes?

my two bits

i run a roadster and i do three rear for one front all avon.. and I use front brakes only

 

[muleskinner]

my two bits

i run a roadster and i do three rear for one front all avon.. and I use front brakes only

Interesting. The stock tires must be junk! What ever I use next, it will NOT be the same tires that came on it.

 

[CanberraR3]

With Avons front and rear I got around 2:1 - 2 rear to 1 front. That's on a standard, not a touring.

 

[slidderhd]

Unfortunately at 5,000 miles I need both front and rear tires! I'm a bit puzzled, as Harley baggers go three rears to one front. I'm not a hard corner rider. I like straight on speed and could understand the rear going so fast, but not the front tire!What's up with the Rocket? Why does it eat front tires so fast??????? I was able to get two rears to one front on my Honda ST1300 also,,,,. What's up with our bikes?

I think it may have to do with the Rocket being heavier than the ST1300 and ad in agressive riding. Remember Air pressure plays an important part in getting life out of a tire. Especially the front. Dunlops like to cup if they are not maintained.

 

[muleskinner]

Interesting side note. I just got off the phone with Doug Douglas Triumph in San Bernardino, CA. The owner told me they have not had the tire problems with R3's we here talk about. But that's because most of the R3's they have sold are to out of the area buyers. So basically I take that as they don't see many R3's for service work.

But, he did say Metzler tires are JUNK! He said they had problems with them on the speed triples and WILL NOT install, or stock Metzler tires at his dealership! He is of the same mind set that I am. If a tire is rated for a 901 pound Harley bagger, it should be just fine on the R3T.

So the search for tires begins no matter what the tire manufactures say about their tires not being rated for a Rocket. Most likely because they never tested them on a Rocket in the first place!!!!!

 

[GPMAZ]

One big difference is torque. The R3T puts a lot more stress on the rear tire than does a Harley. Supposedly the high torque of the R3T was what Bridgestone claimed was the cause of the failure of the OEM Excedra tires.

After that its a combination of road composition, speed, tire pressure, and ambient temperature. I can get close to 10K from a Metzler, around 8K from an Avon. I hear the new Bridgestones may do a bit better.

If I ride a lot in the heat, something I don't do much anymore, and run at higher speeds it will drop that 10K to 7-8K.

 

[muleskinner]

I think it may have to do with the Rocket being heavier than the ST1300 and ad in agressive riding. Remember Air pressure plays an important part in getting life out of a tire. Especially the front. Dunlops like to cup if they are not maintained.

I agree. These are the stock Metzler's that came on the bike. Like a pilot pre-checking his airplane, I'm real anal about keeping on top of my tire pressure. I don't want to go down due to a tire failure.

I run 36 LBS in the front and 40 LBS in the rear like Triumph calls for. I check them once a week. I've never had a bike scallop up the front tires like this before. Really strange.