New Tire Advice
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Stage I
Joined: Jul 2008
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New Tire Advice
Hey all. Learned something new yesterday, how true or false it is I cant say. A buddy of mine told me average expected mileage on a set of stock Dunlops are 7500 miles? Curiousity got the best of me, my ride is an 07 FXDL, just turned over 14,500. I always take a glance at my tires before I head out but never paid attention to tread depth. I did yesterday, found out my rear tire is 2/32. Front is at 4/32. I guess its time for new tires. I was going over some of the old posts on tires and most of them are dated back to 2007. Has anything changed much in tires since then? I hear people talking about Metzlers are they really that much better than stock? From what I read it sounds like I did well getting close to 15,000 miles. Any recommendations? Thaks all.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 27
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RE: New Tire Advice
I have an 05 Wide Glide and got 16000 miles out of the stock tires. Last year I put on the new Dunlop Elite 3 tires and have really enjoyed great traction out of them. The back tire is slightly smaller 3/8" \\;than the stock size but not noticable at all. They do not track grooves or uneven paving jobs or tar snakes. Not bad in the rain either but I definetly take it easy when I get caught in the rain. I have 10000 miles on them and the front will need to be replaced soon. I think I'm going to try the Metzler 880's next. I hope this helps.
Ride Safe
Ride Safe
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,302
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From: SW Corner of NW Corner
RE: New Tire Advice
I think that average is a bit low, but keep in mind, you are talking "average", that means some folks are going to get more than that and others will get less.
It depends on your ride style and the roads where you to the most riding.
 \\;
Regarding replacement - over the years, the overwhelming direction is either Avon or Metzler. \\; There are folks that make difference choices, but I am comfortable in saying MOST people go with one of the two mentioned.
 \\;
I went with Metzler and the difference is unbelievable. \\; My front end (21") always had trouble on highway grooves, even when brand new. \\; When I changed to the Metz, all that went away. \\; Additionall, a lot of my rear end wiggle on bumpy curves went away. \\; Overall handling of the bike improved significantly.
 \\;
fyi - I changed out at 10k. \\; My rear was fine, but the front needed to be replaced... but I did both cuz I was really looking for handling improvement. \\; I live in an area with lots of twisties, and most of them have bumps right in the crux of the curve.
It depends on your ride style and the roads where you to the most riding.
 \\;
Regarding replacement - over the years, the overwhelming direction is either Avon or Metzler. \\; There are folks that make difference choices, but I am comfortable in saying MOST people go with one of the two mentioned.
 \\;
I went with Metzler and the difference is unbelievable. \\; My front end (21") always had trouble on highway grooves, even when brand new. \\; When I changed to the Metz, all that went away. \\; Additionall, a lot of my rear end wiggle on bumpy curves went away. \\; Overall handling of the bike improved significantly.
 \\;
fyi - I changed out at 10k. \\; My rear was fine, but the front needed to be replaced... but I did both cuz I was really looking for handling improvement. \\; I live in an area with lots of twisties, and most of them have bumps right in the crux of the curve.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 1
From: Reno, Nevada
RE: New Tire Advice
I agree, the mileage estimate is a bit low. Obviously, the mileage depends on how you ride. My 07 Road Glide gets about 13k on the rear and 18K on the front. My 04 Deuce gets 9K on the rear and 15K on the front. Now about Metzlers... THEY ARE FANTASTIC!! Handle much better than the stock Dunlops and seem to wear better.
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RE: New Tire Advice
Metzler... they are great! dunlops wear out so fast! i am on my 3rd rear with my bike with the dunlop, Granted i have a great hook up on dunlop rears so i have been going with them but alll the bikes i work on i recomend Metzler!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 99
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From: Lenexa, Kansas
RE: New Tire Advice
As bad as it seems I have only gotten about 3000 miles out of my tire. \\; I seem to have some sort of nail curse though. \\; Just on the bike, no nails in the tires on the cage.[sm=confused06.gif]