Do you look at the amazing performance of your bike’s tires and wonder how many miles do these beauties last? This is a common question for Harley-Davidson cruiser bike owners, as these beasts just keep going on and on.
Cruiser motorcycle tires typically last between 8,000 to 15,000 miles, depending on riding conditions, tire type, and maintenance.
In this article, you will get to know all about how many miles do cruiser motorcycle tires last, how to increase their lifespan, and more. Continue reading if you’re keen to know more about your Harley-Davidson cruiser bike’s tires.
How many miles do cruiser motorcycle tires last?
When you own a Harley-Davidson cruiser bike, it’s very important to know how many miles do cruiser motorcycle tires last. Tires are one of the most unexpected expenses when it comes to a cruiser motorcycle. This is the case because tires don’t last as long as other types of vehicles.
However, Harley-Davidson cruiser motorcycle tires are unlike any other. Harley-Davidson riders can expect anywhere between 5,000 and 25,000 miles on a cruiser bike. On average, the riders could get 5,000 and 15,000 miles from their rear-wheel Harley tires. Meanwhile, the front-wheel Harley tires usually last between 9,000 miles and 25,000 miles.
These are great numbers, especially if you love going on long drives. Cruiser motorcycles tend to wear out quicker due to their design, the compounds used, and the way they’re engineered. It will also play a key role in why these tires are so expensive sometimes. With that said, there are factors that play a factor in how quickly they wear out such as riding habits, the road surface, lack of maintenance, and more.
How many miles can you get from different tire brands on your Harley-Davidson cruiser bikes?
On average, Harley-Davidson tires last between 5,000 miles and 25,000 miles. The front-wheel tires can last between 9,000 and 25,000 miles while the rear-wheel tires last between 5,000 and 15,000 miles. When talking about the longevity of the tires, most manufacturers recommend that Harley-Davidson cruiser bike owners should replace their tires every 4-10 years depending upon the manufacturer. Some of the most commonly used tires for cruiser motorcycles are Dunlop, Avon, Metzeler, Michelin, and Pirello.Â
OEM Dunlop tires
OEM Dunlop tires are used for most Harley-Davidson cruiser bikes, and they’re designed to last between 10,000 and 28,000 miles. Meanwhile, they also last up to 10 years from the date of manufacturing. However, Harley-Davidson drivers last between 15,000 and 28,000 miles on the front tire while rear tires range between 10,000 and 20,000 miles.
Metzeler motorcycle tires
Metzeler tires are another exceptional option for Harley-Davidson cruiser bike riders. These tires are intended to be used up to 4 years from the date of manufacturing. With that said, Harley-Davidson cruiser bikes can expect the rear tires to last between 7,500 miles to 15,000 miles. Moreover, the front tires usually last between 10,000 and 22,000 miles.
Avon motorcycle tires
The Avon tires used on Harley-Davidson cruiser bikes must be replaced within 5 years from the date of manufacturing. Moreover, the drivers shouldn’t use Avon tires that are older than 7 years as it will be risky. They last between 10,000 and 20,000 miles, and it’ll be an enjoyable experience to drive Harley-Davidson bikes on these tires.
Pirelli motorcycle tires
Pirelli might not have given out any official date on their tires but it retains a huge userbase. Many Harley-Davidson cruiser bike owners state that their tires last between 5,000 and 18,000 miles. These tires give an extremely enjoyable experience but you should take care of the tires.
Michelin motorcycle tires
Normally, Michelin tires need to be replaced within 10 years from the date of manufacturing. These tires are pretty reliable and last between 6,500 and 18,000 miles
Factors that determine how long your Harley-Davidson cruiser tires last?
If you own a Harley-Davidson cruiser motorcycle, you would want your tires to last long. Motorcycle tires wear out pretty quickly, which means they end up being an unnecessary expense quicker than expected. There are many brands of tires, and different branded tires have different lifespans. There are certain factors that determine how long your cruiser tires last.
Riding style
Every Harley-Davidson rider’s style of driving is different. As a general rule of thumb, having a more aggressive style of riding will result in less mileage. Driving aggressively will mean that your tires wear out much quicker.
For instance, skids, burnouts, or locking the wheels will wear out your cruiser motorcycle tires very quickly. Further, engine braking and hard acceleration, especially in motorcycles with high torques, will also result in tires wearing out quickly.
It isn’t uncommon for Harley-Davidson owners who ride aggressively to wear out and replace the tires between 2,500 and 5,500 miles.
The quality and type of tires
Not all tires of all brands are manufactured equally. Some tires are soft and designed to offer premium performance, while others are hard tires designed for durability. The softer tires wear out quicker as compared to harder tires.
The driving conditions
The roads and regions where you use the Harley-Davidson cruiser bike tires determine how long the tires last. For instance, driving on highways will wear out the tires quicker than driving in cities. Twisties will also wear out your cruiser motorcycle tires quicker and more unevenly.
Load on the bike
The heavier the bike and the more weight the bike’s tires have to carry, the quicker they will wear out. Driving over the weight limit with extra luggage or having extra passengers will lower its longevity. Further, never try to pull a heavy trailer as you’ll soon end up having to replace your worn-out tires.
For instance, putting excess load on the tires could lower the mileage from 20,000-30,000 miles down to 12,000-18,000 miles.
Weather conditions
Driving on hot asphalt during the summers can be highly unrelenting on your cruiser bikes tires. Further, it leads to tires wearing out faster. Certain roads and kinds of asphalt will be rougher on the tires and speed in the wear of the tires.Â
Pressure on the tires
The pressure on the tires is an important factor as it affects how quickly the tires wear out. This is why spending a bit more on a high-quality, precise gauge is recommended. One of the mistakes that some Harley-Davidson riders make is that they don’t use the appropriate manufacturer-recommended tire pressure.
Certain brands of tires can take on higher pressure than other types of tires. For instance, Avon tires come with different pressure levels as compared to Dunlop tires. Riders need to make sure that they aren’t over-inflating or under-inflating the tires.
Tips to make sure that your Harley-Davidson cruiser motorcycle tires last long
1. Keep a close eye on your cruiser motorcycle tire’s lifespan
This might seem an obvious tip but you’ll be surprised to know how many riders drive without checking the tires. Try to make it a habit to check the tires before beginning your journey. Checking the tires regularly will let you know if they’ve started wearing out. This way, you can make a note to replace the tires when needed. The last thing that you’d want is to have tires give up midway through your journey.
2. Maintain the right air pressure in the tires
To make sure that your cruiser motorcycle tires last long, keep the tires properly inflated. Low tire pressure will increase heat, especially if you combine it with overloading. The heat will accelerate the wear and tear in the tires while also improving traction and handling. This could lead to damage to the tire structure while exposing you to potential danger.
You need to make sure that your bike’s tires are properly inflated to the level mentioned in the owner’s manual. As long as you’re keeping the tires inflated at the appropriate level, you will get long-lasting tires on your bikes.
3. Keep proper tire alignment in your bike
You should always ensure that the tires in your Harley-Davidson cruiser motorcycle are aligned properly. For checking the alignment, arrange for two long straight edges before taking a piece of string and then looping it around the tires. Try to ensure that the tires are accurately on the factory alignment marks. Keeping a keen eye on the rear wheel will tell you if the tires are out of alignment. Having proper alignment will give you better handling while also resulting in less wear and tear. Moreover, it’ll also keep the cruiser bike tires from working against each other.
4. Balance out the tires
Incorrect balancing will not just affect handling but it’ll also affect the lifespan of the tires. As balance tends to change after a while, it’ll be important to constantly check it after every 250-500 miles. The longest period that you can take before checking the tire balance is 1,000 miles.
5. Avoid hard starting and hard braking excessively
Hard braking will wear out the tires, especially when they’re locked. Keep the braking as mild as you can, especially when you’re making normal stops. As much as you might be tempted to impress with your starting prowess, you should avoid hard starting.
There might be some occasions when hard starting and hard braking may be needed. Other than these emergency situations, a soft brake, and soft start would keep your tire’s lifespan last longer.
6. Clean the tires with soap and water
Make sure that you use water and mild soap to keep the tires clean. Avoid using any harsh protectants that remove the oils from the rubber. This might cause the tires to prematurely crack and deteriorate much quicker. Moreover, wash the brake fluid, gasoline, and chain lube quickly.
7. Store the tires away from the sun
The sunlight from the sun can be quite harmful to the tires. Make sure that you’re storing them in a dark place, preferably away from electric appliances like refrigerators. Further, you should keep them away from any solvent fumes. Tires aren’t built to last forever, however, by keeping them away from the sun, you can increase their lifespan slightly.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading. Hopefully, now you have a better idea of how many miles do cruiser motorcycles tires last. On average, Harley-Davidson cruiser motorcycles tires have a lifespan between 5,000 miles to 25,000 miles. The rear tires on the bike can last between 5,000 and 15,000 miles while the front tires can last between 9,000 and 25,000 miles. From your end, you can do your bit to extend their lifespan by properly taking care of the tires and maintaining them.