New Tires
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,147
From: Las Vegas
He got the hammer when this place went full fairy, right?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 2,144
From: NC
I went with the Shinko 250's, because thats what I could afford, 0 regrets, tire handles well, grips well, and has held up very well, 6000 miles, no funny wear, still plenty of tread depth, and the tire loses 0 air, also check out the Shinko 999's, I think this is their newest touring tire.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 399
From: Vancouver, BC
Love my AEs. Tried others but have always come back. I'm about to put sets on both bikes this spring and I'm relieved they are no longer made in America. I didn't want to change to another brand and now I won't need to.
Last edited by hamah; Feb 12, 2025 at 01:19 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 936
Likes: 55
From: C. Texas
Thanks for the responses and good reads. I was quoted $1,050 for a set of Elites at the local HD. Said thanks but I'll look around. Checked out RideNow in GTown, $669 OTD. I think that is a good price. Thinking of adding TPMS with the tire change but preliminary search is iffy.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 719
From: Indianapolis
I have a track bike and over the last 15 years, I've been on all the major brands and multiple compounds. In short, I've learned how to listen to tire feedback. On my '18, the factory Dunlop were pretty good, but only in the dry. As they wore down, they would howl as soon as you leaned a little. As far as wet traction, Michelin and Pirelli have it figured out with the advantage still going to Michelin. I put the Commander3 on early last summer and rode across the country this summer. Cold mountain passes, scorching desert, and a couple bouts of midwest rain. I would say these are way better than the OEM in the wet, and better ride overall than the Dunlop. I think hard cornering feedback is about the same. I've not ridden any of the other brands on the bagger. Just going by what I've learned from the racetrack for the different brands. All that said, the third brand I'd put on the bagger and have confidence in would be the Metzler. I've heard great things about the Avon, but zero experience with that brand. If the price was right, I might try them, but swapping tires on the bagger isn't a "for the weekend" like the racetrack. I'll stick with a tire for which I have full confidence.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 1,429
From: pensacola fl
The only issue I have is a very very slight buzz in the grips form 30-40mph. It's so faint I had a buddy ride the bike and he experienced the same thing. Lean the bike ever so slightly right or left and it goes away. I would think it's something in the very center of the tire causing this, but I'm not a tire expert. Could it be a bearing? I doubt it's a balance issue? I did buy the extended warranty and might try and get a new tire.
Not really sure what to do though. The tires seem great other than the slight buzz. Date code 09/23