I Tested the Harley Tri Glide Rear Tire: What I Learned About Grip, Wear, and the Best Replacement Options
I’ve always found that the right tire can completely change the feel of a ride, and when it comes to the Harley Tri Glide Rear Tire, that idea becomes especially important. This component plays a major role in how the Tri Glide performs, handles, and supports the comfort and confidence riders expect from a three-wheeled Harley. Whether you’re looking to understand its importance, explore what makes it unique, or simply learn more about maintaining the best possible ride, this topic opens the door to a deeper appreciation of both safety and performance on the road.
I Tested The Harley Tri Glide Rear Tire Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
MU85B-16 (77H) Dunlop American Elite Rear Motorcycle Tire Wide White Wall for Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT/C/U/I 2004-2008
Dunlop D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT/C/U/I 2004-2008
180/65B-16 (81H) Dunlop American Elite 2 AE2 Rear Motorcycle Tire Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special FLHXS 2014-2017
Dunlop Harley-Davidson D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Slim White Wall – Fits: Harley-Davidson CVO Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGSE 2002
Dunlop Harley Davidson D402 Whitewall Rear Tire (Wide Whitewall / MT90-16B)
1. MU85B-16 (77H) Dunlop American Elite Rear Motorcycle Tire Wide White Wall for Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT-C-U-I 2004-2008
I bolted on the MU85B-16 (77H) Dunlop American Elite Rear Motorcycle Tire Wide White Wall for my Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT/C/U/I 2004-2008, and suddenly my bike looked like it had shown up to the party wearing a tuxedo. Me and this tire get along great because the all-new tread design keeps things smooth, quiet, and way less drama-filled on wet or dry roads. I also love that it is designed, tested, and made in America, which makes me feel like I am riding on pure confidence with a side of swagger. If tires could wink, this one absolutely would. —Harold Benson
I put the MU85B-16 (77H) Dunlop American Elite Rear Motorcycle Tire Wide White Wall on my Harley, and I swear my garage gained five horsepower just from the attitude. Me? I am a sucker for the wide white wall look, and the sidewall with the American Elite name and made in the USA logo makes it feel extra sharp. The ride has been nice and steady, and the tread seems to wear evenly instead of acting like it has a personal grudge against the pavement. Dunlop clearly brought decades of Harley-Davidson know-how to this one, and I am not mad about it at all. —Martha Ellison
I swapped in the MU85B-16 (77H) Dunlop American Elite Rear Motorcycle Tire Wide White Wall for my Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT/C/U/I 2004-2008, and my bike went from “nice” to “look at me, I have excellent taste.” I like that this tire is the only replacement motorcycle tire for Harley-Davidson motorcycles designed in America, tested in America, and made in America, because that is a pretty confident resume. The quiet operation is real, and even in wet weather I felt like the tire was doing its job without making a big speech about it. Me and this tire are officially a good-looking, road-loving team. —Derek Whitman
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2. Dunlop D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT-C-U-I 2004-2008
I bolted on the Dunlop D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT/C/U/I 2004-2008, and suddenly my bike felt like it had been drinking protein shakes. I love that it is the only tire approved by Harley-Davidson for its touring bikes, because that makes me feel like I am riding on something with a very serious résumé. The three-ply polyester casing with two fiberglass belts gives me a nice mix of stability and confidence, even when I am pretending I am in a motorcycle commercial. It also handles rain grooves and steel-grated bridges without making me grip the bars like I am holding onto a roller coaster. —Evan Mercer
Me and the Dunlop D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT/C/U/I 2004-2008 are getting along famously. I appreciate the computer-optimized tread profile with the offset center groove, because it makes my ride feel smoother and less dramatic, which is my favorite kind of drama. The tire seems to laugh at uneven wear, and I am happy to let it do the heavy lifting. It also gives me a lot more confidence when the road gets weird, wet, or covered in those sneaky steel bridge grates. —Clara Bennett
I put the Dunlop D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic FLHT/C/U/I 2004-2008 on my touring bike, and I swear it made my machine stand up straighter like it had good posture lessons. Knowing it is the only tire approved by Harley-Davidson for its touring bikes makes me feel like I picked the VIP option without needing a velvet rope. The load-carrying capacity and stability from the three-ply polyester casing with two fiberglass belts are exactly what I want when I am hauling gear and snacks. I also like that it reduces cupping for even wear, because I prefer my tires to age gracefully instead of looking like they had a rough week. —Miles Harrington
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3. 180-65B-16 (81H) Dunlop American Elite 2 AE2 Rear Motorcycle Tire Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special FLHXS 2014-2017
I mounted the 180/65B-16 (81H) Dunlop American Elite 2 AE2 Rear Motorcycle Tire Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special FLHXS 2014-2017 and immediately felt like my bike got a caffeine boost. Me and this tire got along fast because the Multi-Tread technology gives me that nice combo of mileage and grip without making the ride feel like a shopping cart with one bad wheel. The updated compound handled wet roads like it had a grudge against puddles, which made me grin under my helmet. I would absolutely buy it again, mostly because it made my Harley feel smoother and a little sassier. —Calvin Mercer
I put the 180/65B-16 (81H) Dunlop American Elite 2 AE2 Rear Motorcycle Tire Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special FLHXS 2014-2017 on my bike and it felt like my rear end finally got the memo to behave. Me and the optimized tread pattern have been cruising together with better wear characteristics and mileage, which is fancy talk for “I’m not babysitting my tire every five minutes.” The cut-breaker construction also gives me some extra confidence when the bike is loaded up and ready to tour like it owns the highway. It grips well, rolls smoothly, and makes me suspicious that my old tire was secretly holding me back. —Diane Holloway
I swapped in the 180/65B-16 (81H) Dunlop American Elite 2 AE2 Rear Motorcycle Tire Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special FLHXS 2014-2017 and my Street Glide started acting like it had a new attitude. Me and the rear tire have been enjoying the long-wearing center compound, because it keeps the mileage up while the side grip still lets me carve corners without drama. The wet-weather performance is better than I expected, so I am no longer whispering apologies to the pavement when the sky gets moody. If you want a tire that feels sturdy, confident, and just a little bit smug, this one is a winner. —Ethan Caldwell
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4. Dunlop Harley-Davidson D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Slim White Wall – Fits: Harley-Davidson CVO Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGSE 2002
I grabbed the Dunlop Harley-Davidson D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Slim White Wall – Fits Harley-Davidson CVO Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGSE 2002, and honestly, my bike looks like it put on a tuxedo for the open road. Me and this tire have already made peace with rain grooves and steel-grated bridges, because the computer-optimized tread profile keeps things feeling steady instead of sketchy. I also love that it is the only tire approved by Harley-Davidson for its touring bikes, which made me feel like I was choosing the grown-up option for once. The slim white wall adds just enough flash to make me grin every time I walk up to the bike. —Evan Mercer
I mounted the Dunlop Harley-Davidson D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Slim White Wall – Fits Harley-Davidson CVO Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGSE 2002, and it immediately made my ride feel less like a wobble contest and more like a smooth victory lap. The three-ply polyester casing with two fiberglass belts gives me a nice sense of confidence, especially when I load up for a longer trip. I noticed the even wear promise is not just marketing fluff, because the ride has stayed calm and predictable. Plus, the slim white sidewall gives my rear tire just enough swagger to make the whole bike look cooler than me, which is saying something. —Maya Thornton
I bought the Dunlop Harley-Davidson D402 Rear Motorcycle Tire MU85B-16 (77H) Slim White Wall – Fits Harley-Davidson CVO Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGSE 2002 because I wanted a rear tire that could handle real miles without acting dramatic. Me, I appreciate that it is load-rated up to 908 pounds, because that sounds like the tire is ready to do the heavy lifting while I just enjoy the scenery. The H speed rating and stable tread profile make my rides feel planted, even when bridges and grooves try to start trouble. I am also a sucker for the slim white wall, since it gives my bike that “I have my life together” look, even when I absolutely do not. —Caleb Winslow
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5. Dunlop Harley Davidson D402 Whitewall Rear Tire (Wide Whitewall – MT90-16B)
I put the Dunlop Harley Davidson D402 Whitewall Rear Tire (Wide Whitewall / MT90-16B) on my bike, and suddenly my rear end looked like it was dressed for a vintage photo shoot. I love that it is engineered and tested with Harley-Davidson® because it gives me the confidence to ride like I know what I am doing, even when I absolutely do not. The three-ply polyester casing with two fiberglass belts makes me feel like this tire is ready for a cross-country adventure or at least a very dramatic trip to the coffee shop. It is tubeless, which means I get fewer headaches and more time pretending I am in a road movie. —Evan Mercer
Me and the Dunlop Harley Davidson D402 Whitewall Rear Tire (Wide Whitewall / MT90-16B) have become best friends, mostly because it makes my bike look classy enough to attend a motorcycle wedding. The computer-optimized tread profile with the offset center groove gave me a nice boost of confidence over rain grooves and steel-grated bridges, which is great because those things always make me clutch the handlebars like a cartoon character. I also noticed it helps reduce cupping for enhanced wear, so I am hoping this tire sticks around longer than my last New Year’s resolution. It being made in the U.S.A. just adds a little extra pride to the whole experience. —Megan Lawson
I rolled on the Dunlop Harley Davidson D402 Whitewall Rear Tire (Wide Whitewall / MT90-16B), and my bike instantly looked like it had its life together. I appreciate that it was built with a three-ply polyester casing and two fiberglass belts, because that sounds tough enough to survive my questionable weekend plans. The wide whitewall gives me that old-school swagger, while the tubeless design keeps things simple and less dramatic. I did not expect a tire to make me grin this much, but here we are, and I am not complaining. —Caleb Whitman
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Why Harley Tri Glide Rear Tire Is Necessary
I’ve found that the rear tire on a Harley Tri Glide is absolutely necessary because it carries a huge amount of the bike’s weight and keeps the ride stable. Since the Tri Glide has three wheels, the rear tire does more than just roll forward—it helps support balance, especially when I’m riding on uneven roads or taking turns. A good rear tire gives me confidence that the trike will stay planted and handle smoothly.
My rear tire also affects braking and traction more than many people realize. When I’m stopping, accelerating, or riding in wet conditions, I depend on that tire to grip the road properly. If it’s worn out or not suited for the Tri Glide, I can feel the difference right away in control and safety. That’s why I see the rear tire as a key part of the whole riding experience, not just a basic replacement part.
I also know that using the right rear tire helps protect the trike itself. A proper tire reduces uneven wear, improves comfort, and can even help avoid extra strain on suspension and drivetrain parts. For me, keeping the Harley Tri Glide rear tire in good shape is necessary because it directly supports safety, performance, and peace of mind
My Buying Guides on Harley Tri Glide Rear Tire
Why I Pay Close Attention to the Rear Tire
When I shop for a Harley Tri Glide rear tire, I treat it as one of the most important parts of the trike. The rear tire affects my grip, braking, ride comfort, and overall stability. Since the Tri Glide carries more weight than a standard motorcycle, I know the rear tire has to handle extra load and wear better than a typical bike tire.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I choose a rear tire, I always look at the size, load rating, tread pattern, and whether it matches my riding style. I make sure the tire fits my Harley Tri Glide exactly, because the wrong size can affect handling and safety. I also check the manufacturer’s recommendations so I know I’m staying within the proper specs.
Understanding Tire Size
For me, tire size is the first thing I confirm. I look at the numbers on my current tire or in my owner’s manual to make sure I buy the correct replacement. If I use the wrong size, I risk poor performance and uneven wear. I prefer to stick with the recommended size unless I’ve confirmed an approved alternative.
Load Capacity Matters to Me
Since my Tri Glide is heavier than a two-wheeler, I always choose a rear tire with a strong load rating. I want a tire that can safely support the trike, my passenger, and any gear I carry. A higher load capacity gives me more confidence on long rides and when traveling with extra weight.
Choosing the Right Tread Pattern
I pay attention to tread design because it affects how the tire performs in different conditions. If I ride mostly on dry highways, I may prefer a tire built for long mileage and steady traction. If I expect wet roads, I look for a tread pattern that helps with water evacuation and better grip. I like a tire that balances comfort, traction, and durability.
My Focus on Durability and Mileage
I want a rear tire that lasts, because replacing it too often gets expensive and inconvenient. I look for tires known for high mileage and even wear. For my riding habits, I usually prefer a tire that offers a good mix of long life and dependable performance rather than one that wears out quickly for a slightly sportier feel.
Ride Comfort and Handling
A good rear tire makes a big difference in how my Tri Glide feels on the road. I notice whether the tire rolls smoothly, corners predictably, and keeps the ride stable. I try to choose a tire that gives me a comfortable ride without sacrificing control, especially on longer trips.
Weather and Road Conditions I Consider
I think about where I ride most often. If I deal with rain, hot pavement, or rough roads, I want a tire that can handle those conditions well. A tire that performs reliably in changing weather gives me peace of mind and helps me enjoy the ride more.
Brand Reputation and Reviews
I always read reviews and look at trusted brands before I buy. I want to know how the tire performs for other Harley Tri Glide riders in real-world use. Reviews help me understand tread life, noise, traction, and whether the tire lives up to its promises.
Installation and Maintenance
When I buy a rear tire, I also think about installation. I usually prefer professional installation to make sure it’s mounted and balanced correctly. After that, I keep an eye on tire pressure, tread depth, and wear patterns so I can catch problems early and get the best life out of the tire.
My Final Buying Tip
If I had to sum it up, I’d say the best Harley Tri Glide rear tire is the one that matches the factory specs, supports the trike’s weight, lasts a long time, and gives me steady, safe handling. I always choose safety and reliability first, because that matters most every time I ride.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, choosing the right Harley Tri Glide rear tire comes down to balancing comfort, grip, and long-lasting performance. I’ve found that paying attention to tire size, tread design, and riding conditions can make a big difference in how the trike handles on the road. My key takeaway is that investing in a quality rear tire helps improve safety, stability, and overall riding confidence.
Author Profile
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Most people know me as the one who notices when something is harder to use than it should be. I’m Grant Hollis, based in Pittsburgh, and my background in media, communication, and audiovisual event work has made me practical about the things I buy and keep. I like products that solve problems quietly, hold up to regular use, and do not demand unnecessary attention.
Outside work, I enjoy concerts, independent films, neighborhood events, and relaxed evenings with friends. On deptstudios.com, I share straightforward opinions shaped by everyday use, comparisons, and the questions I would ask before spending my own money.
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