Tri Glide Rear Tire choices question

[14TG]

I have the same question on the HD forum, but I know some on here are not members there… so I will copy the same question on here. (Apologies if this is a repetitive question).

I have a 2014 Tri Glide and will be needing new rear tires. The size is: 205/65 R15 and it currently has the original Dunlop Signature. (Yes... officially 10 year old tires!)

Already have the front tire ordered, but I see a few name brand tires out there mentioned for the rear and many favor one brand over another, but curious what seems to work best for our trikes?

I can google the tire size and many choices are shown... are they all compatible for our trikes?

Or are some better suited to use, where others are not?

They are "passenger car tires" but the Dunlop seems to make it sound they're “more suitable” for a trike...???



Thanks!

[Jack Klarich]

They are indeed a passenger car tire with a speed rating of H or higher

"

Harley would lead you to believe their Dunlop's are the only tire for your trike, not so

Goodyear Assurance and Michelin are but a few of IMO better choices

[rhino 2]

I put almost 50 thousand miles on the stock Dunlops 2011 Triglide....And when i traded it in....The tires still had many more miles left to go....Now with my last two Triglides (2017/2019)...Because of circumstances beyond my control i'll never see that many miles.....But if i did i would go right back to the Dunlops....

[Notgrownup]

I believe I responded to this on HDForums but here goes. Michelin Defenders, 22 psi . Traded the bike for a newer one so it will be Dunlops for a good while.

[14TG]

I believe I responded to this on HDForums but here goes. Michelin Defenders, 22 psi . Traded the bike for a newer one so it will be Dunlops for a good while.

Yes, I did see your reply there.

Thank you.

[Notgrownup]

Yes, I did see your reply there.

Thank you.

Probably some other brands are good as well, for me I asked my tire shop for the tire wit the softest sidewalls. If you decide on a different brand just get the best touring tire in there lineup. The light weight of a trike compared to a car or truck will be even more of an impact.

[cycle7447]

So, I will comment this way - you've had the trike for almost 10 years?

Are you satisfied with the way those tires handled? If so, why not buy them again - same size, same make.

Sort of like the same reason I have been married to the same woman for 44 years. I like the model and she handle things well.

[14TG]

So, I will comment this way - you've had the trike for almost 10 years?

Are you satisfied with the way those tires handled? If so, why not buy them again - same size, same make.

Sort of like the same reason I have been married to the same woman for 44 years. I like the model and she handle things well.

Actually, no… I’ve only owned this Tri glide since September. It is also my very first trike. I sold my road king and bought this in September. So I’ve only owned it for 4 months.

It only has a little over 6,000 miles on it since I put it in Pennsylvania hibernation.

So these tires only have 6,000 miles on them, I only personally put 400 miles on it and only rode in good weather, so I do not have any personal experience to give an honest opinion on them.

Unfortunately, they are the original tires, still has great tread ….. but they are now 10 years old.

the only thing I will say is all three are needed changed due to the age of the tires.

I already have my front tire ordered, but have not purchased the rear yet…. Which is the main reason for me to post this thread and get opinions on types and brands that anyone has.

Most likely I will go with the Michelin Defender at this point.

Thanks & hope this clarifies my asking.

-Brett

[cycle7447]

Actually, no… I’ve only owned this Tri glide since September. It is also my very first trike. I sold my road king and bought this in September. So I’ve only owned it for 4 months.

It only has a little over 6,000 miles on it since I put it in Pennsylvania hibernation.

So these tires only have 6,000 miles on them, I only personally put 400 miles on it and only rode in good weather, so I do not have any personal experience to give an honest opinion on them.

Unfortunately, they are the original tires, still has great tread ….. but they are now 10 years old.

the only thing I will say is all three are needed changed due to the age of the tires.

I already have my front tire ordered, but have not purchased the rear yet…. Which is the main reason for me to post this thread and get opinions on types and brands that anyone has.

Most likely I will go with the Michelin Defender at this point.

Thanks & hope this clarifies my asking.

-Brett

Thanks - your response does help quite a bit. The defenders are great tires, in my opinion.

What front tire did you order? Avon make a trike tire that will fit your bike.

[14TG]

Thanks - your response does help quite a bit. The defenders are great tires, in my opinion.

What front tire did you order? Avon make a trike tire that will fit your bike.

I have Dunlop American Elite coming in next week from my Indy. I’ve had those on all my 2 wheeled bikes and never had any issues and wore great.

as I have all parts at the paint shop, I have about a month & a half to get all the loose ends and other mods done while it’s all apart too.

I have the front wheel already off & the tire should be in by the end of the week.

I never tried the Avons… but have heard good things on them… but since I’ve had great experience on the Dunlop American Elite, I choose that for the front of the trike.

[14TG]

Quick update on the rear tires….

Just as I am ready to order the Michelin Defender T & H, I’ve just been told by 2 tire shops today that they have been discontinued. Although I can order a pair still, I’d rather not get a pair of tires that have now been discontinued by the manufacturer.

a little more research on the 205/65R15 rear tires, are still some options out there, from the General Altimax RT45, Cooper Endeavor, Toyo, Continental, among a few others….and one especially that I’m eyeing up now is the BF Goodrich Advantage Control.

Any other rear 15” tire recommendations (or pros or cons) and personal experience?

pics attached of the BF Goodrich that I’m now eyeing up:

[ROAD DOG]

Quick update on the rear tires….

Just as I am ready to order the Michelin Defender T & H, I’ve just been told by 2 tire shops today that they have been discontinued. Although I can order a pair still, I’d rather not get a pair of tires that have now been discontinued by the manufacturer.

a little more research on the 205/65R15 rear tires, are still some options out there, from the General Altimax RT45, Cooper Endeavor, Toyo, Continental, among a few others….and one especially that I’m eyeing up now is the BF Goodrich Advantage Control.

Any other rear 15” tire recommendations (or pros or cons) and personal experience?

pics attached of the BF Goodrich that I’m now eyeing up:

I like BF GOODRICH & GENERALS both good tires I would buy over Michelin & Cooper. Cooper seem to dry rot fast .

[ROAD DOG]

I have Dunlop American Elite coming in next week from my Indy. I’ve had those on all my 2 wheeled bikes and never had any issues and wore great.

as I have all parts at the paint shop, I have about a month & a half to get all the loose ends and other mods done while it’s all apart too.

I have the front wheel already off & the tire should be in by the end of the week.

I never tried the Avons… but have heard good things on them… but since I’ve had great experience on the Dunlop American Elite, I choose that for the front of the trike.

What Color or colors you painting it ?

[14TG]

I like BF GOODRICH & GENERALS both good tires I would buy over Michelin & Cooper. Cooper seem to dry rot fast .

I have BFG’s on the truck, so I’m kinda partial.

In fact I had my local tire supplier check stock and it’s only a 2 day delivery…. So I’m about 99% sure that’s the route I’m going with.

[14TG]

What Color or colors you painting it ?

House of Kolor: Brandywine over their SilverMax base.

We decided that 3 coats was the preference of the final color.

Also, we will have a “marbleizing” accents around the gauges area, on the AdvanBlack center console center area, on the newer “waterfall” horn center area, and also on the Air cleaner trim piece).





-Brett

[ROAD DOG]

House of Kolor: Brandywine over their SilverMax base.

We decided that 3 coats was the preference of the final color.

Also, we will have a “marbleizing” accents around the gauges area, on the AdvanBlack center console center area, on the newer “waterfall” horn center area, and also on the Air cleaner trim piece).





-Brett

Looks Good Cool color. Thats a lot of work to paint a complete trike like that in a custom color. What do you have for wheels ? Going to be bad Ass !

[ROAD DOG]

I have BFG’s on the truck, so I’m kinda partial.

In fact I had my local tire supplier check stock and it’s only a 2 day delivery…. So I’m about 99% sure that’s the route I’m going with.

My brother got a 67 Camaro he just finished doing up he bought BFG Radial TA white letter its dark green with a black top the tires made the car just has steel rally wheels.

[14TG]

Looks Good Cool color. Thats a lot of work to paint a complete trike like that in a custom color. What do you have for wheels ? Going to be bad Ass !

Thank you!!! My painter got all parts on stands over this past weekend… now the sanding and prepping before he lays a sealer down first… then the SilverMax, then the Brandywine Kandy paint, then a few coats of clear.

For the wheels, I bought an extra set of wheels and was going to initially have them powder coated and try to match the paint. Then I realized, it will not be an exact match. So they talked me into the “Super Chrome” powder coat.

I will say that they do look much nicer than stock, but of course, not as shiny/reflective as chrome.

(Most likely I’ll get new chrome wheels next year and use either “Willy Shiny” or “Excalibur” chrome exchange)… but I’ll determine that once it’s all back together next month.

I’m still waiting for my rotors to come back from getting polished, so I still have the front jacked up & waiting for those before reassembling the front wheel back on as I just got my front tire on it.

pics:



don’t know why two pics are sideways???

but it shows what it will look like.

~Brett

[Colleydog]

Going to look great Brett, can’t wait to see the end result

[14TG]

Going to look great Brett, can’t wait to see the end result

Thanks Steve!

I’ll post pics and maybe do a video on all the mods and accessories done to it too.

I always accessorize my bikes and now owning this trike is no different. I’m really excited about getting it all back together!

Thanks again,

Brett