02 Fatboy
Stock rear rim

My last 2 sets of tires have been the HD Dunlop 402 MT90/16 (130/90 16), same size front and rear. I am going to try some Metzler ME88's. I asked for a Metzler rear 130/90 but he suggested that I use the 140/90. I've stayed with the stock size because of the fender clearence and everyone seems to go up to 150/90 (barely any clearence for an 02) and that's why I'm content with the current tire size. Metzler has the 140 and my question is this: Is the Metzler 130 smaller than the Dunlop MT90 402 and if so, would the Metzler 140 be the same size as the Dunlop 130/90 402? The reason that I ask is because I know that tire profiles change with the manufacturer. I do not have any complaints with the Dunlops but I'm going to try the Metzlers. Thanks!!! aw

 

The Dunlop MT90 rear I have measures 4.936" or 125.597 m.m.wide, the 130 Metzler is 4.925" or 125.318 m.m. That's only .011" or the thickness of 4 human hairs difference. The 140 Metzler I run on my '02 Fat Boyis 5.475 or 139.31m.m. Yeah I run a 140 without the wide tire kit available from Harley which supposedly allows a 150m.m. tire. As you can see the 140 Metzler is more than 1/2 inch wider than the Dunlop 130.

I measured real tires mounted and aired up on rims. These are not numbers copied from some website.

 

I run a 150 without problem and always have. The original owner of the bike had a 150 put on, although I am nor sure if there were any changes he had to make to do this. I have never had any problem related to running a 150. I think I could stuff a 160 under there if I wanted to.

 

the numbers on the tires are the same across the manufacturers. there is a formula for the sizes.
Width x Aspect Ratio = Section Height
Section Height x 2 = Combined Section Height
Combined Section Height + Wheel Diameter = Tire Diameter

Example: 185/60R14 85H or 185/60HR14

185mm x .60=111mm
111mm x 2=222mm
222mm + 355.6mm(14")= 577.6mm or 22.74"

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=7

http://www.metric-conversions.org/

 

***** Metzler tires/ME880 ***** I am the worst of the worst when making up my mind on something new. Some people will just say "put them on and ride" which is good advice because if I feel confident about my choice, then I won't be concerned about my tires but my tires are what connects me to the pavement, so I'm going to think about this for just a little bit. This doesn't seem to be a cut and dry situation and there seems to maybe be some controversy in tires sizes and of course, then there are personal choices. So, here is what I've basically read......... and by the way, I'm researching the Metzler ME880's for an 02 Fat Boy.

My bikes OEM tire sizes/brand are: front Dunlop MT90/16 and rear MT90/16 and those sizes are supposedly = to 130/90 16 but from what I've read, they are not really the same size.

#1. I'm changing to a new brand tire, Metzler ME880. From a few articles that I've read from people that have installed many of these tires, the (older) Metzler recommendation of OEM replacement was front 130/90 16 and upgrade the rear to 140/90 16. It seems that the rear 130/90 16 was narrower than the front tire. Now this recommendation of tire sizes is still being suggested from several people. Also, the load rating of these Metzler tire sizes are lower than the OEM Dunlops and now Metzler has come out with direct OEM replacements which have the same load ratings as the original OEM tires.

#2. The MT90B16 and the MU85/16 are now direct OEM replacements for the Harley and this decision may have something to do with the other tires having a lower load rating, differences in actual tire sizes ( older Metzler recommended OEM tire replacement) and let's not forget the customer complaints???

#3. From the Metzler site, according to their fitment chart, the recommended tires for my bike are MT90B16 and that's for the front and rear. In the past the upgraded rear tire recommendation was 140/90 16 which is supposedly wider but yet taller than the 130/90. From what I understand, they recommended the 140/90 because the rear 130/90 was narrower than the 130/90 front. Hmmmm........ but now instead of choosing the 140/90 as an upgrade it almost appears there is an OEM replacement MU85/16 which has the width of the 140/90 16 but not the heigth and the load rating for both of those tires are the same, 77H . The MU85 was designed with another Harley model in mind but we will look into that matchup very shortly.

#4. Let's just glance at the load index (rating), which I think I understand as the direct vertical force put directly down on the tire. I guess you add up the load index for the front + rear tire and then compare it to the combined weight of your bike, you/passenger weight, bags, etc...... to see if the tire load ratings are safe for your bike.

#5. I've noticed that the load ratings for the new OEM replacements are the same as the stock Harley Dunlop 402's but the Metzler 130/90's, front and rear have a slightly lower load rating. http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc.../tire-data.htm

Front ME880 130/90 16 67H vs Metzler ME880 MT90B16 72H
Rear ME880 130/90 16 73H vs Metzler ME880 MT90B16 74H
Rear ME880 140/90 16 77H vs Metzler ME880 MU85B16 77H



I just went down to the tire store and had a few questions to ask. He only does motorcycle tires. He's been doing it for 15 years and he owns a Harley Softail. He informed me that the MU85 16 would not fit my bike. He said it was not the same as putting a 140/90 on my bike which is still recommended as a bigger tire upgrade. The MU meaning 140 but the lower profile of the 85=wider and it would make it too wide. He went as far as saying that he would not install one even if I wanted it. He said that without any modifications to my current stock setup, that a 150/90 would not fit. So, I grabbed one of each off of the tire rack 140/90 vs MU85 16 . The MU85 was a much bigger tire. So, it doesn't look like that the MU85=140/90, not even close. He said that now, they primarrily order the MT,MU, etc..... series because they are considered to be load bearing tires (MT). He also noted that 130/90 front Metzler ME880 could either be a reinforced or not reinforced tire. It will say reinforced on the sidewall and you have a choice when you buy that size tire. I also mentioned the fact I read that the Metzler rear 130/90 was narrower than the front and that's one of the reasons they suggested going to a 140/90. That's about as far as that topic went. Please take into consideration that I haven't tried any wider tires and am relying on first hand info but I'd swear that I've read where people have put a rear 150/90 on 02 earlier softails and only modifying the inner strut bolts, which amounts to hardly nothing. Since I'm not going to do the wider tire, it doesn't matter to me. As it is, my inner strut bolts are not reversed and do protrude inside the fender well, so the inner strut bolts are obviously a must to do for a larger tire.


I've made up my mind to go with the Metzler ME880 MT90B16 front and rear. Good Luck!!!!!

 

too much thought and too much info.

 

I struggled with understanding your last reply because of the controversy in tire sizes. Thanks. aw

the numbers on the tires are the same across the manufacturers. there is a formula for the sizes.
Width x Aspect Ratio = Section Height
Section Height x 2 = Combined Section Height
Combined Section Height + Wheel Diameter = Tire Diameter

Example: 185/60R14 85H or 185/60HR14

185mm x .60=111mm
111mm x 2=222mm
222mm + 355.6mm(14")= 577.6mm or 22.74"

 

Get a 150 for the rear and 130 for the front. You will be happy with that.