I currently have American Elites on my EGlide. They perform very good in regards to traction on wet or dry pavement and they wear like iron. I have about 16K on them so far and they still have plenty of thread left.
My only complaint is that they don't absorb rough pavement imperfections too well. Maybe it's me and maybe I'm looking for something that doesn't exist but wondering if there are tire brands available that would be more suple in absorbing small bumps etc. and still offer good traction.
Was thinking maybe a softer compound, sacrificing a few miles of wear?
Would appreciate hearing about your experiences with various tire brands. your

 

The absolute cushiest ride comes with running a car tire on your bike. My wife noticed and commented the difference on her very first ride.

Of course if you do run a car tire you need to understand that you are liable to suffer from spontaneous combustion for doing so. Just ask anyone who has never run a car tire they will tell you....

 

How about experimenting with different air pressure?

 

Know Michelin are much smoother then the last 3 sets of Harley Lops on my bike. I run what the owners manual say for pressure and you would swear they are low. I can't tell any difference in handling but I drive the old age I am and never push it.

 

I saw an add in American Iron Mag. for Bridgestone Battlecruise H50 that makes the claim they ride smooth but I'm not sure they make them for HD touring bikes.

 

call me crazy but when I went to the m-commander 2 I had thought I had put new shocks on!! ride on MICHIGAN ROADS BUMMMMPYYYYY

 

Avon. I've been using them on my Harleys since the '70s. Changing pressure on some brands will not give any improvement in ride quality, as they use such a heavy unforgiving carcase.

 

Car tire. I've been running them on rigid frames and touring bikes since 1978.

 

I have been running Dunlop Elite 3's on my GW for 11 yrs and love them. I have American Elites on my lowered night train and did notice a smoother ride after not replacing with HD tires but that thing rides almost like a hard tail so not a real comparison in my opinion. I would however recommend Ride On. I first used it in my GW and now use it in my SG and NT as well. It will make a noticeable difference in ride quality due to (in my opinion) a better balancing job than weights.

 

I understand what OP is asking and why. I tried several MT (hard) tires on my Heritage. I went back to the OEM Dunlops and got my ride back.
Avons would be my first choice if ride only was a priority. Metz 880's (not the 888's) and some of Dunlops.