Hello friends,

So after exactly 10k miles on my bike, the stock rear tire is almost bald and is ready to give up. Now after some research I am leaning towards either Metzler ME 888 150/80B16 or Dunlop American Elite 150/80B16.

Has anyone tried any or both of these on their bikes? Price-wise they are same and the reviews don't seem to tell which one is better.

 

Better in what sense?

 

I replaced the stock tires with the American Elite on my last bike , 2009 Ultra Classic.
The American Elites had a nice road feel , built to last long , ran quiet , good in the rain.
I liked the fact that they were all manufactured in Buffalo NY.
The Metzler are suppose to be the successor to the ME880 , they look to be more quiet running than the 880.
I would buy the Dunlops again , just personal preference.
Mick

 

I swapped out the Dunlops for the Metzlers and discovered that I preferred the Metzlers. I was using the 880s and then put on a 888 rear. At 14,000 it still had nice tread remaining.

What I noticed is the Dunlops, including on my new ride, seem to really be effected by road surfaces and even cause wobbling with grooves and other common road damage (imperfections). The Metzlers held the corners really well and glided over bad roads without effecting the steering and stability of my ride.

 

I'm running the 880's. I like them better than the Dunlops for traction. Only thing I've noticed is the front picks up sand and water and throws it out the top front of the fender and you guessed it up in my face.
I also heard that due to the softer rubber they don't last as long.

 

Metzlers Vs Dunlops is like night and day on the Sportsters. Metzlers have better grip and softer ride.

 

I put on the 888s. First impression is the look. They are a bigger tire. the 130/90 has the appearance of a 140 or even a 150, and it's a "barely fit" fit deal, with about 1/8" clearance at the drive belt. At least on a 2002 model.

I'd definitely buy again. In fact I'm lookin' to put those on my Triumph

 

Thanks so much guys ... it looks like Metzler is preferred based on personal experience. I will put them on this time and revive this thread once it's time to change the tires again ... only this time I will have my own experience to add

 

Had 880's. Liked em. Running the Elites now. LOVE them. Great tires in all conditions! Great rain manners. Great mileage, Over 4k on em and they look new. Great traction off center. Really good.

 

I'm running Avon Cobras (AV71 front, AV72 rear) and I absolutely love them. Much better than the stock Dunlops and so far I really recommend them. Can't really speak to the wear since I've only got about 6 months on them, but I definitely love them so far.