Metzeler Tire Pressures
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
ME880's
My indy uses the 880's on her (yeah, a good-looking married lady) bike, so knew about the higher pressure. W/ almost 1,000 miles on the rear, on wet, dry & dirt roads, I was impressed enough to order another 880 for the front.
BTW I'm running the heavy-duty tubes on my laced rims, in an effort to minimize the chances of a flat. They're only an extra $10 or so. Desert racers (think Baja 1000) here run them.
Note: check your wheel bearings while the wheel is off. My rear bearings needed replacement @ 9,000 miles! Went to All ***** (American-made). This is also a good time to do a thorough wheel & inner fender cleaning and to check alignment, wiring harness, brake pads...
BTW I'm running the heavy-duty tubes on my laced rims, in an effort to minimize the chances of a flat. They're only an extra $10 or so. Desert racers (think Baja 1000) here run them.
Note: check your wheel bearings while the wheel is off. My rear bearings needed replacement @ 9,000 miles! Went to All ***** (American-made). This is also a good time to do a thorough wheel & inner fender cleaning and to check alignment, wiring harness, brake pads...
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 2
From:
That's a little higher than I run my 880's. Solo 39 front, 40 back. I got 10K out of the rear with the first set I put on (front/rear) and changed the front one with it as the Indy showed me where the sidewall on the front was cracking. It was almost 2 1/2 years old and had sat a lot on concrete garage floor without being ridden that much (about 4K a year). I know that sucks as a Harley rider but retirement is just around the corner and so is a lot of riding. BTW, I'm sold on my 880's.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
Last edited by rounder; Aug 17, 2010 at 07:47 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,555
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From: Clarksburg, PA
Your front is under inflated IMO.
Why would you want to go off of the HD numbers when Metzeler has recommendations listed for you?
Supposedly, the Metz has a softer sidewall...this is even more reason to go with the recommendations from Metz., and not HD, who has numbers listed for the stock Dunlop.
I just rode to work last night with 40 / 45 and liked the ride and handling so I am going to stay around those figures.
Why would you want to go off of the HD numbers when Metzeler has recommendations listed for you?
Supposedly, the Metz has a softer sidewall...this is even more reason to go with the recommendations from Metz., and not HD, who has numbers listed for the stock Dunlop.
I just rode to work last night with 40 / 45 and liked the ride and handling so I am going to stay around those figures.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
From Metzeler - "Insufficient air pressure will result in poor handling and cause a tendency for the motorcycle to "wander". In addition, improper and insufficient tire will cause accelerated tire wear, increased fuel consumption, less control and the possibilities for tire failure to due an overload/under inflated operating situation. "
Just ask Ford about recommending lower pressure than the tire manufacturer.
Just ask Ford about recommending lower pressure than the tire manufacturer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
Metzelers are known to need higher pressure than stock Dunflops. If you pump Metzelers up to the pressure in the manual then they will be under-inflated; the bike will handle badly and could be dangerous.
Unlike some tyres, Metzelers usually list the recommended pressure on them, not the max. First ones I put on a Harley I read the numbers on the tyre wall and automatically assumed it was a max even though it doesn't say so, but reading on the Metzelers site confirms that it is the recommended pressure not max.
Unlike some tyres, Metzelers usually list the recommended pressure on them, not the max. First ones I put on a Harley I read the numbers on the tyre wall and automatically assumed it was a max even though it doesn't say so, but reading on the Metzelers site confirms that it is the recommended pressure not max.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: I'm on the Central West Coast
Okay that Metzeler PDf is worthless. http://www.8541hog.com/metz.pdf
In one spot it tells you one pressure and in the other spot it tells you something different.
The first page (22) it says;
Recommended Minimum ire Pressures (P.S.I.)
Touring/Cruiser
ME880 Marithon Solo 2 Up light 2 Up heavy
Front 38-40 40-42 40-42
Rear 44-46 46-48 48-50
Then in the specific model listing it says;
FXD Super Glide 06-08 (mine is an 09 but I dont think that matters) Lists the specific tire size then says; Front 38-42 Rear 40-42
Now which is supposed to be correct?
Bunch of Bullshit in my humble opinion. I just go by what's on the sidewall.
In one spot it tells you one pressure and in the other spot it tells you something different.
The first page (22) it says;
Recommended Minimum ire Pressures (P.S.I.)
Touring/Cruiser
ME880 Marithon Solo 2 Up light 2 Up heavy
Front 38-40 40-42 40-42
Rear 44-46 46-48 48-50
Then in the specific model listing it says;
FXD Super Glide 06-08 (mine is an 09 but I dont think that matters) Lists the specific tire size then says; Front 38-42 Rear 40-42
Now which is supposed to be correct?
Bunch of Bullshit in my humble opinion. I just go by what's on the sidewall.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Okay that Metzeler PDf is worthless. http://www.8541hog.com/metz.pdf
In one spot it tells you one pressure and in the other spot it tells you something different.
The first page (22) it says;
Recommended Minimum ire Pressures (P.S.I.)
Touring/Cruiser
ME880 Marithon Solo 2 Up light 2 Up heavy
Front 38-40 40-42 40-42
Rear 44-46 46-48 48-50
Then in the specific model listing it says;
FXD Super Glide 06-08 (mine is an 09 but I dont think that matters) Lists the specific tire size then says; Front 38-42 Rear 40-42
Now which is supposed to be correct?
Bunch of Bullshit in my humble opinion. I just go by what's on the sidewall.
In one spot it tells you one pressure and in the other spot it tells you something different.
The first page (22) it says;
Recommended Minimum ire Pressures (P.S.I.)
Touring/Cruiser
ME880 Marithon Solo 2 Up light 2 Up heavy
Front 38-40 40-42 40-42
Rear 44-46 46-48 48-50
Then in the specific model listing it says;
FXD Super Glide 06-08 (mine is an 09 but I dont think that matters) Lists the specific tire size then says; Front 38-42 Rear 40-42
Now which is supposed to be correct?
Bunch of Bullshit in my humble opinion. I just go by what's on the sidewall.
Big difference between a touring bike and a Dyna.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: I'm on the Central West Coast
Besides look up the specific models for the touring bikes and you'll find the same discrepancy.
Last edited by plumbertom; Aug 17, 2010 at 04:24 PM.
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