Planning a trip, Advice? Route? Suggestions?

Try DennisKirk.com

Read where I cannot get the Dunlop American Elites as they are for 2009 and up. My bike is a 2001 Ultra. to bad sounds like a great tire.

I think the 'American Ellite 3' is for your bike. Similar claims.

Nope. I checked the Dunlop site and its says "2009 and up". I'm stuck in the 402 series..will check with local dealership.

I notice they have a MT90-16 American Elite III for the front..wonder if I could put it on the back?

I would be carefull about trying. I'm no tire engineer.

I've been hearing a lot about dyna beads. They will extend tire life and ride smoother and you don't need ugly weights on your wheels.

Don't do it. I like you are stuck with the 402's. Went down the "ask the dealer" routine with 3 different dealers and two different indys. They all said to stay with the 402's.

Could be worse I suppose? Thanks for sharing your experience with dealers, saves me the bullsh*t.

402's aren't bad but you're not getting 10,000+ miles on them.

Badinfluence, my bike requires the same size as yours, but other tires will work too. I'm not saying Dunlop is better or worse, but I switched to Michelin Commanders for a little softer ride and a few more miles (18-20,000). I use 150/80/16 on rear (plenty of room), and 150/80/17 front. Got em at Dennis Kirk (both for $225) with free shipping.

Don't look for these tires under the "Harley" heading. Go to "Sport Touring" heading.

Yes, get the Dyna Beads for balancing, but Dennis Kirk doesn't have em. Go to Competition Accessories for these. (1) 2 oz. pkg. per tire...$15 I think.

What year is your bike?

It's an '08. The wheels and tires are the same as your 2001 (MT/16 front, MT or MU/16 rear).

H-D changed sizes in 2009: 180/16 rear, and 140/17 front. I bought an '09 StreetGlide front wheel (17") for mine and it fits perfectly.

It would be great to have a back tire I could safely get over 10,000 miles with.

These will serve you well, and they have the same load rating as the Dunlops. I don't recall if you said what size tires you are running now.

Mt90-16

MT/90/16 is the equivalent of 145mm in metric, but a 150/16 will fit easily.

On Dennis Kirks website they show all the measurements spec'd by the tire maker mounted on the wheel. Only tire retailer I've ever seen that provides this much info.

I've been looking for alternatives to the 402 for my Fatboy. Problem is both wheels are 16's and there doesn't seem to be a front tire in 16" by other manufacturers.

I'm gonna look into the Metzelers! Thanks for the tip. The Fatboy has the same size (width) on front and back that is where I always come up short, no front tires in the right width. I'd like nothing better than to have that Metzeler name on my tires!

Ps. Thanks Cowboy they do make them for my bike! The ME880 Marathons. Next tires I'm going the Metzeler way.

:cheers: