Whether you are a seasoned motorcycle rider or just bought your first one, you need to have roadworthy tires for the best grip, performance, and mileage.
If you have a Harley bike, you need to get custom-designed motorcycle tires for the best experience on the road. Once you buy your set, how long do they last? Here’s all you need to know.
How Long Do Harley Davidson Tires Last?
On average, Harley Davidson front tires can last about 15,000 -20,000 miles and the rear one about 20,000 – 30,000 miles without a tire change. However, this is not guaranteed; the lifespan depends on individual use. While the Harley tires don’t expire, they need to be replaced five years after the date of manufacture. In rare cases, they can last ten years.
To learn more about Harley tires, how many miles they last, when they should be replaced, and how many years you should use them, keep on reading!
How Many Miles Should Harley Davidson Tires Last?
Harley Tires can typically last about 15,000 – 30,000 miles (24,000 – 48,000 km) on average. However, some can last for more miles, depending on how you ride.
On the other hand, some can last for fewer miles, about 1,500. The mileage is determined by the type and quality of tires, riding habits, road and weather conditions, the performance of the bike, and storage and maintenance.
Harley Tires are primarily manufactured by Dunlop, who makes the most durable and high traction tires for motorbikes.
Mileage varies significantly depending on where the motorbike owner rides mostly.
Do Harley Davidson Tires Wear Out Fast?
Harley tires will wear out depending on how you take care of them. Just like any other tires, they are affected by the terrain, how your ride, and tire maintenance.
If you don’t take your tires to a professional mechanic for regular maintenance or check the PSI, your tires might lose pressure and wear out much faster than anticipated.
How Often Do You Replace Harley Tires?
Most tire manufacturers recommend that you should replace your motorcycle tires after five years.
While some riders use their tires beyond this period, they should not go beyond ten years for safety purposes.
According to the Harley Davidon tires manufacturer, tires that have been in use for more than five years should be constantly inspected by a specialist or professional at least annually.
However, once they hit ten years or more past the manufacture date, they should be replaced immediately.
Once your Harley tires get to this point, they need to be replaced even if they are still within the legal wear-out limit or look serviceable.
Some riders have been forced to replace their motorcycle tires pretty early after they failed the penny test.
How Can You Tell If Your Harley Tires Need To Be Replaced?
This is one of the most common questions for riders after how many miles will my motorcycle tires last.
So, how can you know that it’s time to make the replacement? Here are some of the key things to look out for.
Date & Year Of Manufacture
As stated, most motorcycle tire manufacturers recommend that the tires should be replaced after every five years.
To know whether your Harley tires have hit this age, you need to check the DOT serial code on the tire sidewall.
Out of all the letters and numbers embedded on the tire, the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was manufactured.
Keep in mind that after five years, the rubber compounds cease being reliable; therefore, if you continue using them, you are at higher risk of a puncture or accident.
Tread Depth
Just like cars, motorcycles also need to be inspected regularly to confirm that the tread depth is within the legal limit.
Use the penny test to see whether the tread is below 2/32”, which technically means the tire is worn out and needs to be replaced.
Cracks and Cuts
If your motorcycle is mostly stored outside or exposed to direct sunlight, the Harley tires will exhibit cracks along the sidewall on the tread.
Cuts also appear if you are riding in the rough terrains where there’s debris and rocks.
You should constantly check whether there are any cracks and cuts before you go out to ride; otherwise, you might experience a tire blowout or puncture on the road. To avoid this, you have to replace the tires.
Loss Of Tire Pressure
If you notice that your tire is losing air pressure frequently, there might be an issue with the tire beads, or there are some minor cuts.
For Harley tires, the PSI in the front tire is 36, and the rear tire is 40 PSI. However, this might change during the hot climate and change to 32 PSI for the front tire and 36 PSI for the rear one.
Therefore, if you notice your tires are losing pressure, despite inflating them correctly, it’s time to replace them.
Other Factors
When riding, you need to feel whether the motorcycle feels odd, for instance, pulsating or vibrating too much.
If you observe any abnormalities, have a tire professional check the tires for any issues that would warrant a replacement.
Should You Replace Both Harley Tires At The Same Time?
When replacing tires, it’s not a must that you replace both tires; you can just change the one with the problems.
However, if both Harley tires are over five years, you should consider changing both of them simultaneously.
In most cases, the rear tire wears out faster than the front one because the rear sends all the engine power and carries most of the bike’s weight.
On the other hand, if you are switching from one brand to the other, you should change both of them. If you ride a bike with different types of tires, you are more likely to experience handling problems.
How Do You Ensure Your Harley Tires Last Long?
If you just bought new tires for your motorbike, there are steps you can take to ensure that the tires last much longer. Here are some of them.
Check Pressure Frequently
Before going out for a ride, especially long trips, check the tire pressure to ensure that the tires are properly inflated within the correct PSI. This way, you lower the chances of a puncture or tire blowout.
Avoid Too Much Sun Exposure
If you can, avoid parking your motorcycle in the direct sunlight. Your Harley tires will wear out faster and get cracks if they are exposed to too much sun.
Inspect Your Tires
Apart from pressure, you should constantly check the tires for cracks, bubbles, and cuts. Additionally, check the tread wear to confirm that it’s within the legal limit.
Check Your Riding Habits
Riding habits contribute to how much the tires last; therefore, you need to be careful if you want the tires to last longer.
To know more about tires, you can also see our posts on whether or not can you plug motorcycle tires, how common are flat tires, and sidewall tire damage.
Conclusion
Harley tires can last between 15,000 – 30,000 miles on average. Like any other motorcycle tires, they need to be replaced after five years, even if they still look good.
On average, the mileage can vary depending on individual use, from tire maintenance, riding habits, road conditions, and type of tire.
If you take proper care of your Harley tires, they are likely to last much longer.