better tires
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,166
Likes: 4
From: la
I have Avon Cobra's and they handle great, they seem to be wearing faster than the stock Dunlops but I'm also pushing it harder because I have more confidence with the traction I have. I never ran a Metzler but have read a bunch of posts on them being a good choice also.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 1
From: A house.
Haha, me too. 2nd front and 4th rear on this bike. A lot of dunny haters out there, and that's okay. I've been running them since the late 70's. They stick fine in the corners right down to the foot pegs and their friction break is gradual and predictable... what more could you ask?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Pa
I have Avons on my bike now handle good but had Metzlers before handle about the same the Metzlers lasted longer
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
standard or premium?
That is a great question!
Of course just about any brand's tires will work just fine and meet manufacturer's standards. One might consider the stock Dunlops as a "standard" grade tire, one that a manufacturer buys in huge quantities, w/ an eye towards cost. Once we've used up the Dunlops which came on our bikes, we have the opportunity to upgrade to a "premium" tire, if we perceive any benefit: longer tread life, better wet and dry traction, more nimble handling, better puncture resistance, ... The added cost is usually nil, if we shop around. But, short of test-riding them, all we have to judge a tire by is the recommendations of those in the know who went before us, and our own past experience and judgement.
The Metzler brand was familiar to me because they made a very highly regarded off-road tire I happily used on my dirt bikes, 40 years ago. The recommendations from professional riders & motorcycle mechanics, internet blogs & forum members led me to replace my stock rear Dunlop w/ the ME880. Though I've put less than 1,000 miles on that tire, I have been so satisfied as to buy a replacement ME880 for the badly cupped (w/ correct air pressure) stock front Dunlop, even though there is still tread @ 10,000 miles.
YMMV.
Of course just about any brand's tires will work just fine and meet manufacturer's standards. One might consider the stock Dunlops as a "standard" grade tire, one that a manufacturer buys in huge quantities, w/ an eye towards cost. Once we've used up the Dunlops which came on our bikes, we have the opportunity to upgrade to a "premium" tire, if we perceive any benefit: longer tread life, better wet and dry traction, more nimble handling, better puncture resistance, ... The added cost is usually nil, if we shop around. But, short of test-riding them, all we have to judge a tire by is the recommendations of those in the know who went before us, and our own past experience and judgement.
The Metzler brand was familiar to me because they made a very highly regarded off-road tire I happily used on my dirt bikes, 40 years ago. The recommendations from professional riders & motorcycle mechanics, internet blogs & forum members led me to replace my stock rear Dunlop w/ the ME880. Though I've put less than 1,000 miles on that tire, I have been so satisfied as to buy a replacement ME880 for the badly cupped (w/ correct air pressure) stock front Dunlop, even though there is still tread @ 10,000 miles.
YMMV.
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