General
Warning: Match tires, tubes, rim strips or seals, air valves and caps to the correct wheel. Contact a Harley-Davidson dealer. Mismatching can lead to tire damage, allow tire slippage on the wheel or cause tire failure, which could result in death or serious injury.
Warning: Harley-Davidson front and rear tires are not the same. Interchanging front and rear tires can cause tire failure, which could result in death or serious injury.
Notes:
- Tubeless tires are used on all Harley-Davidson cast wheels.
- Tire sizes are molded on the tire sidewall. Inner tube sizes are printed on the tube.
- Store new tires on a horizontal tire rack. Avoid stacking new tires in a vertical stack. The weight of the stack compresses the tires and crushes the beads.
Tire Pressure
Warning: Be sure tires are properly inflated, balanced, undamaged, and have adequate tread. Inspect your tires regularly and see a Harley-Davidson dealer for replacements. Riding with excessively worn, unbalanced, improperly inflated, overloaded or damaged tires can lead to tire failure and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.
Check tire pressure:
- As part of the pre-ride checklist.
- At every scheduled service interval.
1. Check tire pressures when tires are cold. Compare with specifications. See Table 2-4.
Note: Harley-Davidson does not perform any testing with only nitrogen in tires. Harley-Davidson neither recommends nor discourages the use of pure nitrogen to inflate tires.
Tread
Warning: Replace tire immediately with a Harley-Davidson specified tire when wear bars become visible or only 1/32 in (0.8 mm) tread depth remains. Riding with a worn tire could result in death or serious injury.
Check tire tread:
- As part of the pre-ride checklist.
- At every scheduled service interval.
1. Inspect each tire for punctures, cuts and breaks.
2. See Figure 2-4 or Figure 2-5. Inspect each tire for wear. Replace tires before they reach the tread wear indicator bars.
![](https://motoinstruction.ru/img/harley/22/127651.jpg)
Figure 2-4. Tread Wear Indicator: Michelin Tires: 1. Indicator; 2. Tread wear bar
![](https://motoinstruction.ru/img/harley/22/127652.jpg)
Figure 2-5. Tread Wear Indicator: MRF Tires: 1. Indicator; 2. Tread wear bar
Table 2-4. Tires and Tire Pressure
MODEL | MOUNT | SIZE | SPECIFIED TIRE | PRESSURE (COLD) | |
kPa | PSI | ||||
XG500/XG750 | Front | 17 in | MRF Zapper (India only): 100/80-17 | 207 | 30 |
XG500/XG750 | Rear | 15 in | MRF Zapper (India only): 150/70/15 67H | 276 | 40 |
XG500/XG750 | Front | 17 in | Michelin Scorcher 11: 100/80 R17 | 234 | 34 |
XG500/XG750 | Rear | 15 in | Michelin Scorcher 11: 140/75 R15 | 290 | 42 |
Replace
Inspect
Tread wear indicator bars appear on tire tread surfaces when 0.8 mm (0.031 in) or less of tire tread remains. Always replace tires before the tread wear indicator bars appear on the surface of the tire.
See Figure 2-4 or Figure 2-5. The locations of tread wear indicator bars are identified by the TWI marks on the tire sidewalls.
When To Replace Tires
New tires are needed if:
- Tread wear indicator bars become visible on the tread surfaces.
- Tire cords or fabric become visible through cracked sidewalls, snags or deep cuts.
- A bump, bulge or split in the tire.
- A puncture, cut or other damage to the tire that cannot be repaired.
See Removing and installing tires for replacement instructions.