Wheels & Tires Buyer’s Guide

Wheels

Strong on the Inside

When a wheel is engineered with the highest material strength placed in the same direction as the operating load, the result is lightweight and superior strength. That’s what Performance Machine did when they made Rival one-piece forged aluminum wheels, available chrome-plated or Contrast Cut. Applications for most models are available. Priced at $1,149.95. Go to www.dragspecialties.com or see your local Drag Specialties dealer.

Hog Wired

HDW offers Apollo and Apollo-SL wire wheels for 2009 Harley touring models. They fit new compensated (rubber cushioned) drive systems as OEM replacements without any bike modifications. In various spoke configurations and lacing styles, chromed or powdercoated. Contact: 818-887-9065, www.hdwheels.com, Reader Service No. 86.

Definitely Dimensional

Chip Foose and MetalSport offer several new 2D wheel designs like the 1969 shown. Also new is the Phoenix wheel, just one of 17 sparkling 3D creations. See them all at www.MetalSportWheels.com, 562-776-9594, Reader Service No. 87.

Goin’ Coastal

Coastal Moto manufactures their own line of custom motorcycle wheels—like the black anodized Cyclone and Maverick styles from the Daytona series, for a top-of-the-line look without emptying your wallet. They also offer hundreds of wheels from other top wheel manufacturers and have many styles in stock for Harleys. Contact: 888-899-MOTO (6686), www.coastalmoto.com, Reader Service No. 88.

Tradition & Lace

The new line of 40-spoked chopper wheels from Paughco take you back to basics. Designed for ’99-earlier applications with Timken bearings, they feature chrome spokes laced to a chrome steel rim and hub. Each assembly comes with pre-set bearings and custom hubcaps that hide the mounting hardware. Available for a variety of disc and drum brake applications. Contact: 775-246-5738, www.paughco.com, Reader Service No. 89.

Sleek Sophisticate

The split 5-spoke design of Renegade’s new Vail wheel was developed to maximize reflected light from the angled spokes. Appropriate for baggers or choppers, the rugged one-piece wheel is made for a variety of applications, even for 360-series tires. Available in chrome, black ebony and black powdercoat; priced as low as $1,150. Contact: 714-998-7241, www.renegadewheels.com, Reader Service No. 90.

In Living Color

Landmark Motorcycle Accessories offers a choice of 28 powdercoated color options to their spoke wheel line. This option adds $150 to any of their 80, 40 or Fat 40 spoke wheels. Priced from $549.95, Landmark spoke wheels have billet aluminum hubs, spun steel rims and polished stainless steel spokes. Contact: 800-497-0312, www.landmarkmfg.com, Reader Service No. 91.

Endless Options

Each of Sinuous’ 13 made-in-the-USA wheel designs are available in 18-, 21-, and 23-inch sizes. The billet wheels are finished in show chrome or in the Sintrast option: custom paint over chrome or powdercoat, then machined. A fully assembled set, including rotors, pulley and tires range from $3,200 to $3,700. Contact: 707-588-9412, www.sinuousinc.com, Reader Service No. 92.

Who’s Your Daddy?

Fat Daddy wheels are radial-laced with 3⁄8” black stainless steel spokes with custom nipples, billet chromed aluminum custom hubs and polished chrome steel rims. They are sealed to accept tubeless tires; valve stems sold separately. For sizes and applications go to www.dragspecialties.com or see your local Drag Specialties dealer.

T Minus 10…

Pickard USA is launching a stocking program to keep up with the high demand of their High Rolla wheel among Bagger riders. The program is designed to deliver the High Rolla (in popular bagger sizes) within one week of ordering: no more 4-6 week lead times. Clean and classy, the High Rolla’s 15 spokes are 3D-machined, polished, and chromed. Contact: 972-231-1298, www.pickard-usa.com, Reader Service No. 93.

Tuff Stuff

The new Tuff Luck wheel by Wicked Image is surface machined in 3D. It’s available in stock and custom sizes up to 360mm wide, with matching 3D rotors and pulleys. You can order any of Wicked’s 12 designs with tires pre-mounted, ready to install. Contact: www.wickedimage.com, 951-894-292, Reader Service No. 94.

Do The Math

Simple yet defined, Performance Machine’s Riviera wheel features eight linear spokes that split before fusing back into the rim lip. The styling is carried all the way to the soft rim lip with custom grooves. It’s offered in polish, chrome, and Contrast Cut finishes with design-matched discs and sprockets. Priced at $999.95. Contact: 714-523-3000, www.performancemachine.com, Reader Service No. 95.

Livin’ Large

MetalSport 26” wheels address the need for large-diameter wheels. In fact, the company’s entire wheel lineup can be ordered in 26” diameters, both 3D and 2D styles. The 2D line is the more affordable option. Contact: 562-776-9594, www.metalsportwheels.com, Reader Service No. 96.

Taking Charge

Biker’s Choice offers their cast forge-alloy Dominator Wheels in several styles. The one-piece show polished wheels are CNC-machined right here in the USA. Contact your local Biker’s Choice dealer for retail pricing, fitment and availability or go to www.bikerschoice.com, Reader Service No. 97.

RELATED ITEMS

Spoken For

HDW has re-engineered the 40-Spoke Pulley to eliminate such weak points as a drilled sprocket, and increased the cross of the spokes from four to five. Custom finish options will make your bike’s pulley unique. For sizes and applications contact: 818-887-9065, www.hdwheels.com, Reader Service No. 98.

Rim Shot

Chrome aluminum Excel rims are constructed of 6-series aluminum alloy to be lightweight and strong. The classic 40-spoke pattern is just right for restorations or stock replacement. Drilled to match OE 40-hole hubs, they’re available in stock and custom diameters (16”-21”) and widths (1.85”-5.50”). Priced $218-$414. Contact: 760-732-3161, www.RKExcelAmerica.com, Reader Service No. 99.

Wheely Clean

When it comes to cleaning wire wheels—or any wheel—elbow grease used to be the main ingredient. Now Dayton Wire Wheel has released a Wire Wheel Cleaner that eliminates the need for scrubbing. Just spray it on and rinse it off to remove road grime. Safe for chrome, gold, and painted surfaces, it sells for $5.99 per bottle. Contact: 800-862-6000, www.daytonwirewheels.com, Reader Service No. 100.

TIRES

Extended Family

The Metzeler family of ME880 tires includes 81 sizes to fit Harley-Davidson models and most V-Twin customs. With zero growth at speed, they’re great for slamming fenders to the max. Metzeler’s Alphanumerics have all the popular features of ME880s but in the exact sizes and load indexes required for Milwaukee’s iron. They feature bias-ply construction and a specially formulated compound for firm grip and light rolling resistance. Available in whitewall and narrow white stripe, and a whitewall 21” front. Learn more at www.us.metzelermoto.com, Reader Service No. 101.

Coil and Strike

Avon listened when customers demanded a tire with great handling, stability, durability, and aesthetics. The Cobra is the result. Avon applied sportbike tire technology called Wide Custom Tread Arc (WCTA) to provide racer-like nimbleness, plus Advanced Variable Belt Density (A-VBD) for straight-line stability, compliant contact at lean, and longevity. The Cobra range has 20 sizes for cruisers, touring bikes and customs. Contact: 600-624-7470, avonmotorcycle.com, Reader Service No. 102.

Hot Ticket

Scorcher 31 tires are the first co-branded tires from Harley-Davidson and Michelin. You’ll find them as original equipment on many 2010 Harley-Davidson Dyna models but they’re also available as replacement tires. Offered as a 17-inch rear (P/N 43250-07A, $189.95) and as a 19-inch front (P/N 43258-07A, $119.95), the Scorcher 31 offers durability, comfort and handling. For fitment details see your local Harley-Davidson dealer, visit www.harley-davidson.com, or call 800-443-2153.

White Wedding

Need a whitewall for your high-mile hauler? MetalSport has teamed with VEE Rubber to create a whitewall tire in most popular sizes for cruiser and touring bikes. These tires have load ratings to handle heavy dressers and are engineered for superior handling characteristics. Contact: www.MetalSportWheels.com, 562-776-9594, Reader Service No. 103.

Slay the Twisties

Pirelli’s Night Dragon tire was developed using race-proven technology to maximize power to the ground and improve handling. The goal was to provide the best performance for American and metric V-twins while offering comparable mileage to OE tires. Contact: Pirelli Tire North America, 706-368-5427, www.us.pirelli.com, Reader Service No. 104.

Tread Lightly

The high performance ContiRace Attack Custom is designed to handle the power of today’s custom machines. Joining the rest of Continental’s Attack line, it has a speed index above 168 MPH and features the newest technology in quick warm-up compound for extra grip in dry and wet conditions. The tread offers the maximum amount of “slick” area allowable to be DOT-legal. Priced from $133 front, $300 rear. Contact: www.conti-moto.com, 740-966-3106, Reader Service No. 105.

Oldie But Goodie

For authentic vintage looks using modern manufacturing techniques and materials, check out Coker’s line of G&J tires for pre-1920 machines. They feature period-correct tread design and authentic sidewall engravings and come in the popular 28 x 21⁄2 and 28 x 3 sizes. Retail priced from $150 per tire. Coker Tire stocks an extensive offering of classic motorcycle tires, including Firestone Non-Skid, and ANS military motorcycle tires. Contact: www.cokertire.com, 800-251-6336, Reader Service No. 106.

Are You In Good Hands?

If you live in the right place, this might be good news for you. Starting October 2009, Harley-Davidson Financial Services expanded its Tire & Wheel Protection program from the initial four pilot program states to an additional 20 states, upping the total to 24.

Available exclusively through participating Harley-Davidson dealers, the H-D Wheel & Tire Protection program covers costs associated with the repair or replacement of tires and wheels, including labor and taxes, towing, lodging and meal reimbursement. All motorcycle tires are covered—original and replacements—for the duration of coverage, with no maximum occurrences and no deductible. Coverage periods from one to seven years are available. H-D Tire & Wheel Protection must be purchased at the time you purchase your motorcycle or at the time you purchase new tires or wheels from an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership.

Joining the current Tire & Wheel Protection pilot states of Colorado, Florida New York and Utah are Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and West Virginia.
For complete program details and availability, see your local participating H-D dealer or go to www.hdfsi.com.