I put some Metzler 880s on my softail and after only 6500 miles, I am down to the threads...and I mean threads. I don't ride crazy and almost all this milage was interstate miles...went to Sturgis and that was 4,500 miles...Is this normal...I'd really like some more wear out of tires than this, it makes me want to go back to the Dunlops...I got 10k out of them. What are you guys getting out of your tires?

 

I got 11k out of the stock dunlop rear. I'm still on the front. That does seem like a short life, but from what I hear, the me880 is a softer tire than the dunlop. I wouldn't expect it to wear out that fast after long trips and stuff, though. Is your rear wheel aligned?

 

as far as I know the mechanic that put it on sure does a lot of them...I knew these tires were softer but had no idea this was all the mileage I was going to get. Like I said...almost all of it was interstate milage.

 

DANG!! I just mounted a new metzeler yesterday after 11,200 on the original. I am hoping for 10,000 miles but it ain't lookin good huh.

 

I'd be VERY happy with 11k miles...

 

I pulled my OEM Dunlop with a little over 8,500 miles on it (still had some tread left) and replaced it with a 210-50-17 Metz 880...I've run a little over 4,000 miles on it (1,000 highway) and the tread is already getting thin...I don't see it making 6,000...the soft compound is great for cornering/handling...not so good for long life. I never had a single problem with the stock Dunlop and bieng as that Dunlops have a harder compound they're a longer lasting tire...bottom line...if you're an aggressive rider and blast a lot of twisties the softer compound tires (Metzelers/Avons) are nice...but for the $$$ you can't go wrong with the Dunlops.

 

if you ride the bike around town your tire will last a long time, but if you ride your bike on a straight away like going 4500 miles to sturgis on highways, all your wear is on the middle. so you tire will not last long. I have done sturgis 3 times from NJ and always end up needing a rear tire after only 6000 miles. when you ride local you spread the wear all accross the tire....

 

Ive got 7K on my ME880's and probably have about another 2-3K left in them.

 

An easy way to check to make sure your rear tire is lined up straight is by putting a board on the ground along the front and back tires and it will show if it is lined up straight or just a little off. Any misalignment will wear the tires down. That was right about softer tires. For long rides a harder tire will last longer but around town a softer tire will last. Seems to me most of the tire companies are going softer to make more money on replacements. Its all about the big bucks and the economy. They say its better performance...

 

A friend of mine put metzlers on his wide glide and he got @5,500 miles and the rear tire was down to the cords. I guess you have to give up mileage for better handling. I'm going to stick with dunlaps.