Who makes the best tires for Harley Sportster 1200 motorcycles? The Sportster is an iconic model, which has been turned into a flat tracker, dirtster, chopper, and just a great riding cruiser motorcycle.
Find reviews of the best Sportster tires in 2023 here.
When it comes to selecting tires for your Harley Sportster, you have a lot of options. Making the right choice is important since the tires are the only connection between your motorcycle and the road. This guide is designed to help you choose the right tire for your Harley Sportster and to ensure that your ride is safe, comfortable, and reliable.
Popular Harley Sportster tires
- The Dunlop D401 is the approved Harley-Davidson cruiser tire.
- An advanced motorcycle tire tread pattern and specifically formulated motorcycle tire compound deliver outstanding grip in wet or dry weather, while delivering long motorcycle tire life.
- All Dunlop D401 motorcycle tires use bias or bias-belted construction, and incorporate a computer-optimized motorcycle tire tread profile to reduce cupping for even wear.
- The Dunlop D401 is the approved Harley-Davidson cruiser tire.
- An advanced motorcycle tire tread pattern and specifically formulated motorcycle tire compound deliver outstanding grip in wet or dry weather, while delivering long motorcycle tire life.
- All Dunlop D401 motorcycle tires use bias or bias-belted construction, and incorporate a computer-optimized motorcycle tire tread profile to reduce cupping for even wear.
- The Dunlop D402 is the only motorcycle tire approved by Harley-Davidson for its touring bikes.
- Built with a three-ply polyester casing with two fiberglass belts, the Dunlop D402 offers greater load-carrying capacity and stability.
- Computer-optimized tread profile with offset center groove improves rider confidence over rain grooves and steel-grated bridges, while reducing cupping for even wear.
- The Dunlop D401 is the approved Harley-Davidson cruiser tire.
- An advanced motorcycle tire tread pattern and specifically formulated motorcycle tire compound deliver outstanding grip in wet or dry weather, while delivering long motorcycle tire life.
- All Dunlop D401 motorcycle tires use bias or bias-belted construction, and incorporate a computer-optimized motorcycle tire tread profile to reduce cupping for even wear.
- See fitment guide image for additional Machines this item fits. The Dunlop D401 is the approved Harley-Davidson cruiser tire.
- An advanced motorcycle tire tread pattern and specifically formulated Dunlop motorcycle tire compound deliver outstanding grip in wet or dry weather, while delivering long tire life.
- All Dunlop D401 motorcycle tires use bias or bias-belted construction, and incorporate a computer-optimized motorcycle tire tread profile to reduce cupping for even wear.
- The Dunlop D401 is the approved Harley-Davidson cruiser tire.
- An advanced motorcycle tire tread pattern and specifically formulated motorcycle tire compound deliver outstanding grip in wet or dry weather, while delivering long motorcycle tire life.
- All Dunlop D401 motorcycle tires use bias or bias-belted construction, and incorporate a computer-optimized motorcycle tire tread profile to reduce cupping for even wear.
- Expanded size range fits a wide variety of older bikes and cruisers. Tread compound delivers excellent balance of mileage and grip.
- Front and rear tread patterns designed for outstanding water evacuation and wet grip.
- Bias-ply construction designed to deliver excellent load-carrying capacity as well as a smooth ride for maximum comfort.
- Offset center groove offers excellent straight-line stability.
- The Dunlop D404 is not recommended for use on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Tube Type: Tube (sold separately).
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Some popular models of Harley Sportster tires include: Shinko 230 Tour Master Tire; Avon Cobra – Cruiser Tire; Metzeler ME 880 Marathon Tire; Michelin Commander II Cruiser Tire; Pirelli Angel GT Tire; Avon Roadrider AM26 – Sport Touring Tire; Continental ContiMotion – Sport Touring Tire; Dunlop D404T Whitewall – Cruiser Tire; Maxxis M6024 – Cruice/Touring Aluminum Rim Specific Rear Tire, and Dunlop D220M-V – Vintage Custom Motorcycle Rear Tires.
In order to choose a tire for your Sportster, you’ll need to understand some of the terminology used when discussing tires. Tires are classified by their size (rim diameter and width), profile (height or aspect ratio), type (radial or bias ply), load ratings (maximum amount weight it can handle) and speed ratings (maximum speed). You’ll also need to decide what type of features you want in a tire such as wet or dry performance, durability, etc. Once you have chosen a tire that meets all these requirements, then you can make an informed decision on which brand and model will best suit your needs.
Types of Harley Sportster Tires
When selecting tires for a Harley Sportster, it’s important to first consider the type of riding you plan to do, the environment in which you will be riding and the handling characteristics of your motorcycle. Harley Sportster tires come in three main categories—cruiser, touring or sport.
Cruiser Tires: Cruiser-style tires provide excellent grip and directional stability in both wet and dry conditions, with increased traction on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. They’re designed to reduce unexpected slides and provide more control than other types of tires. These are great for riders who want comfort while cruising around town or making long highway trips.
Touring Tires: Touring-style tires offer a balance between wet weather traction and long distance comfort. Their softer rubber compound is designed to handle long trips with increased stability at highway speeds and in varied terrain including city streets and mountain roads. They also offer better cornering ability due to their advanced tread pattern design with increased contact between tire and pavement for improved handling performance.
Sport Tires: The aggressive tread pattern on sport-style tires provides superior grip in dry conditions on winding back roads. On wet surfaces, they provide excellent grip that eliminates worry of losing control in curves, tight corners or when braking suddenly is necessary. These are a great fit for riders who prioritize secure cornering at higher speeds on paved surfaces while providing better handling characteristics than cruiser tires due to their shorter sidewalls —although they may sacrifice some comfort compared to touring types because of this factor as well as increased noise level when traveling at higher speeds over smoother roads due to their more rigid compound construction meant mainly for sporty performance purposes
Factors to Consider When Buying Harley Sportster Tires
When it comes time to buy new tires for your Harley Sportster, there are several factors to consider in order to ensure that you get the best fit for your motorcycle. The tire size and type will determine the performance of your bike, as well as the safety of both you and your bike. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Tire Size: This is the first factor most riders must consider—what size tire do they want and need? Measure the distance between the sidewalls of both front and rear tires to select an appropriate size. You should also consider your riding style when selecting a tire size—larger sizes tend to perform better on off-road terrains, while smaller sizes provide comfort and road handling on pavement.
Tread Pattern: The tread pattern of your motorcycle’s tires should be appropriate for the terrain you plan on traveling over. While street-riding often works best with a smooth, round shape, off-road conditions require aggressive knobby tires that can better handle slippery surfaces. Take into account how far you’re planning on riding too – mileage is affected by tread type.
Durability: Although it may cost more upfront, a high-quality tire makes all the difference when reliability is concerned. Most tires feature a TPI (Threads Per Inch) rating which tell riders how many threads the tire consists of – this rating closely follows durability – a higher number means higher quality construction materials were used in development. Additionally, look out for puncture resistance features such as Kevlar or steel insert belts – these help enhance durability and offer additional protection against punctures from sidewalls or due to continued wear over time or pavement wear marks like bumps and cracks.
The Right Price: Lastly, price should also play into deciding factors when looking at different types of tires available on the market today – while buying cheap can be appealing, tires made out of low quality materials could mean having to replace them sooner than they’re expected lifespan would tell otherwise — so don’t be afraid to test other brands or try something new! Taking advantage of online reviews before making a purchase can be very helpful in sorting through all available products based on price range too!
Where to Buy Harley Sportster Tires
When you’re looking for new tires for your Harley Sportster, you have many options. The most important factor is finding the type of tire that best fits your individual riding needs. You will need to consider the type of terrain you ride, as well as the types of surfaces you will be riding on, including asphalt, dirt or gravel roads. It is also important to consider what kind of riding experience you want and how often the tire will be used. Additionally, factors like the speed rating and weight capacity are important when selecting your tires.
When buying new tires for your Harley Sportster it is important to pay close attention to sizing specifications as well as other features such as load ratings and speed indexes that may differ from one model to another. All this information can usually be found on each individual tire’s product page. Many retailers carry a wide selection of these tires both in store and online so be sure to compare prices before making a purchase decision.
Installation Tips for Harley Sportster Tires
Before purchasing and installing tires on a Harley Sportster, there are a few important tips to be aware of. First, check to ensure the tire brand and size you’ve chosen is the appropriate fit for your bike not just in terms of dimension but also in terms of function. It is also important to note that some tires may require special adhesive to protect them against air leakage. This adhesive will come with each new tire, so be sure to follow any instructions provided for proper use.
Once tires are purchased and ready for installation, there are a few easy steps to follow for a successful swap. Make sure your bike is placed securely on an elevated level surface and the brakes have been disengaged before you begin removing the bolts from the wheel or fender of your rear tire. Then remove any existing rubber bands from around the spokes while keeping track of where they were previously located when reinstalling. Finally make sure you inflate each tire with the correct pressure indicated on its sidewall before mounting it back onto your Sportster motorcycle!
Tire Maintenance for on the best Harley Sportster tires
It is essential to ensure proper tire maintenance when riding Harley Sportster motorcycles. Proper tire care not only increases the longevity of your tires, but also helps ensure a safe, enjoyable ride. Here are some tips for maintaining your Harley Sportster tires:
1. Inflate and adjust tires correctly – Tire pressure affects traction, handling and the life of your tires — it’s crucial to maintain correct air pressure (check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations). Be sure to inflate your tires while they’re cold and not during or after a ride, as the friction generated on hot pavement will increase the pressure levels. You should also rotate your tires every 5,000-7,500 miles or as recommended by your manufacturer.
2. Check tread wear levels – As a rule of thumb, you should replace any tire when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch or 1/32 (for motorcycle) inches. It is important to check treads periodically because they may become damaged during normal use — you’ll need to replace them if they are too worn out or repeatedly punctured. Another way to quickly check for unsafe wear patterns is by using a penny: put a penny with Lincoln’s head facing downward into several grooves in each tire – if part of Lincoln’s head is showing in any groove, it’s time for new rubber!
3. Maintain wheel alignment – Keeping proper wheel alignment ensures that excessive wear does not occur; even though corrective alignment alone will not always correct pre-existing issues such as cupping and scalloping on old rubber, it can reduce additional damage after getting new tyres fitted. Additionally, abnormal heat build-up in misaligned wheels can eventually lead to premature tyre failure so be sure to get checked at least once or twice a year — especially if you tend towards heavy cornering and/or aggressive riding conditions like racetracks!
Following these basic guidelines regarding Harley Sportster tire maintenance can help keep you safe while enjoying long rides on your bike.. Be sure to follow the tire maintenance steps suggested by your manufacturer regularly — but don’t forget that there would be potential safety risks if worn out tyres are ignored too long!
Common Problems with Harley Sportster Tires
Owners of Harley Sportsters know the importance of maintaining good quality tires for safe riding and to maximize the life of their motorcycles. Common problems that come with tire wear are traction, stability and misalignment, as well as uneven and excessive tire wear. Many riders don’t realize that signs of wear occur long before the rubber wears to the point where it needs replacing.
Traction
As new tires usually come with shallow tread depths, careful monitoring for tire slickness should be done- as soon as you feel wheel slip, replace the tires immediately. Riders should also call attention to wet surfaces and adjust their speed accordingly.
Stability
If you feel your bike shaking or vibrating when riding straight or cornering, you may need to look at your alignment or consider switching over to tubeless rims- this provides better stability on straightaways and corners. You can also check your wheel bearing tolerances; wheel bearings may require frequent re-torquing after a few days of riding in order to maintain balance between wheels.
Imbalance/ Excessive Wear
Unevenly worn tires often result from motorcycle suspension being out of adjustment- if unchecked, premature tire wear can occur due to overloading one side more than another. Most often, this kind of wear is linked with an improper geography setup (front wheel off center). Also watch out for abnormal cupping on the centerline; this means there is something wrong with both chassis geometry and suspension setup together!
Find the best Harley Sportster 1200 tires in 2023 here.
Originally posted 2022-12-17 00:08:34.
