12,000 miles and you're not happy?? I was ecstatic at getting 10,000 out of my Metzlers, I thought 8,000 out of the Avons was acceptable. Now, when I got 2,000 miles out of a set of tires on sport bikes, well that started to get a bit expensive.
I just changed out my factory tires at 6400 miles. About right for me at 190 pounds on a heavy cruiser. But, the front started cupping and caused front end handle bar shake at 40 MPH around 5500 miles. I'm still trying to figure that one out, as a touring Harley at 901 pounds will go three rear tires to one front!
I don't buy into the "Torque" thing either, as the R3 is not a front wheel drive bike! I kept both front and rear tires at 36 and 41 pounds like the factory calls for. I now have Dunlop D251s and will see how long they last. The only reason I went to the Dunlops was Dunlop specs them for the Rocket.
5200 miles on the factory tires and the back tire had cords showing... the front tire was badly cupped.. Now running max recommended pressures in both tires. I do 90% 2 up riding.... I would not complain about 12,000 miles either....
Yea I figure for as heavy of a throttle hand as I have, 6400 miles was not bad on the rear. But the front being all cupped up seems to be a regular occurrence on the Rockets. That should not be! My dealer had no explanation for it. If it was just mine I would say it's the way I ride. But everyone here seems to have the problem. My Street Glide would do three rears to one front. Same on my wife's Road King. And if you talk to most Harley touring bike riders, three to one is normal. So why does the Rocket eat up front tires????