Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X Forty-Eight - Owner's Manual > Tires

Refer to Specified Tires for tires and pressures.

• Keep tires properly inflated.
• Follow tire data for correct cold tire inflation pressure.
• Check tire pressures when tires are cold.

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.

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.

Only install original equipment tire valves and valve caps. A valve, or valve and cap combination, that is too long or too heavy can strike adjacent components and damage the valve, causing rapid tire deflation. Rapid tire deflation can cause loss of vehicle control, which could result in death or serious injury.

Check tires for correct pressure, excessive wear or any signs of tire damage at least weekly if in daily use. Check before each ride if only ridden occasionally.

Use only Harley-Davidson specified tires. Other tires may not fit correctly and could adversely affect stability, handling and performance. Refer to Specified Tires.

Tires are a critical safety component. Contact a Harley-Davidson dealer for tire repair or replacement. Improper tire service can adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Replace punctured or damaged tires. In some cases, small punctures in the tread area may be repaired from within the removed tire by a Harley-Davidson dealer. Speed should NOT exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should NEVER be 50 mph (80 km/h) for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should NEVER be used over 80 mph (130 km/h). Failure to follow this warning could lead to tire failure and result in death or serious injury.

Striking an object, such as a curb or pothole can cause internal tire damage. If an object is struck, have the tire inspected immediately inside and out by a Harley-Davidson dealer. A damaged tire can fail while riding and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Tire Replacement

Tread Wear

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.

Harley-Davidson tires are equipped with wear bars that run horizontally across the tread. When a tire is worn to the point that the wear bars are visible, or 1/32 in 0.8 mm tread depth remains, the tire can:

• Be more easily damaged leading to tire failure.
• Provide reduced traction.
• Adversely affect stability and handling.

Replace the tires with new tires before the tread wear bars appear:

• See Tread Pattern: Michelin Tires or Tread Pattern: Dunlop Tires. Indicators (1) on the tire sidewalls point to tread wear bars (2) in the tread.
• Tread wear bars appear in the tread pattern when 1/32 in 0.8 mm or less of tread remains.

Tread Pattern: Michelin Tires

1. Indicator
2. Tread wear bar

Tread Pattern: Dunlop Tires

1. Indicator
2. Tread wear bar

Tire Damage

Replace tires with new tires when:

• Tire cords or fabric are visible through cracked sidewalls, snags or deep cuts.
• A bump, bulge or split is found anywhere on the tire.
• A puncture, cut or other damage cannot be repaired.

Shock Absorbers

Inspect shock absorbers and rubber bushings for leaks and bushing deterioration at proper intervals.

Spark Plugs

Disconnecting spark plug cable with engine running can result in electric shock and death or serious injury.

Do NOT pull on any electrical wires. Pulling on electrical wires may damage the internal conductor causing high resistance, which may result in minor or moderate injury.

Check the spark plugs at proper intervals. Refer to Regular Service Intervals: 2016 Sportster Models.

1. Disconnect spark plug cables from plugs by pulling up on the molded connector caps.

2. Check spark plug type. Only use those spark plugs specified for your model motorcycle.

3. Check spark plug gap against specifications. Refer to Electrical.

NOTE: If a torque wrench is not available, tighten new spark plugs finger-tight and then tighten an additional one-quarter turn with a spark plug wrench.

4. Always tighten to the proper torque. Spark plugs must be tightened to the torque specified for proper heat transfer. Refer to Electrical.

5. Connect each molded connector cap until the cap snaps firmly into place over the spark plug.

See also: