Tires
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
I had a Perelli ND 180 on my last change...
I liked the tire pretty well.. its heavy but seemed to corner pretty well. Although it didnt feel very confident under wet conditions - specifically braking. Tire lasted me 8000 miles.
Back to the dunlop for this change but I'll probably try something new next time.
I liked the tire pretty well.. its heavy but seemed to corner pretty well. Although it didnt feel very confident under wet conditions - specifically braking. Tire lasted me 8000 miles.
Back to the dunlop for this change but I'll probably try something new next time.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Cardington, OH
I can't swear to how they wear, but there's plenty of testimonials for that to the positive.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 617
Likes: 19
From: Baltimore, MD
I put on Michelin Commander IIs about 2,000 miles / a month ago. Love them! I've never had Avons or Metzlers, so I can't say if they are "sticker", but I can say that they sound like basketball shoes on a gym floor when the bike is in my garage.
IMHO, they are quiet, responsive and grippy. And, they're supposed to last 2x-3x other tires. I can also attest to the wet weather capabilities after riding through those "derecho" storms in MD a few weeks ago. On top of it all, they aren't much more expensive than any other tire. I'm not crazy about the looks of the sidewall, but you can't expect everything.
And to answer ...
I can't speak for everyone, but I liked the stock Dunlops on my Fat Bob. They performed just fine and look great. I would have put them on again, all other things equal. I switched because they are ONLY available from the HD Dealer where ... they were almost 2x the cost of the Michelins AND I was going to have to wait 2-3 weeks for an appointment AND I'd have to leave my bike for "a couple days to a week" for them to do the work. 
I went to my indy shop (Cycle Shack in Randallstown, MD - recommended!) They gave me a good price on the MCIIs and put them on the same day.
IMHO, they are quiet, responsive and grippy. And, they're supposed to last 2x-3x other tires. I can also attest to the wet weather capabilities after riding through those "derecho" storms in MD a few weeks ago. On top of it all, they aren't much more expensive than any other tire. I'm not crazy about the looks of the sidewall, but you can't expect everything.
And to answer ...
I couldn't help but notice that NOBODY has ever said that they would put back on the same tire as the bike came with originally. My Road King came with Dunlops that appear to be wearing very well. At 11,000 miles I'm just starting to think about possibly replacing the front and the rear seems to be wearing fine. What's the stigma with using the OE tire as the replacement tire?
I went to my indy shop (Cycle Shack in Randallstown, MD - recommended!) They gave me a good price on the MCIIs and put them on the same day.
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
Pirelli Night Dragons - I am running the 180 on the back and mine is lowered as far as you can go.
Pirelli is the only one I could find that has a Bias for front and back other than the stock Dunlops.
So far I feel a whole lot more confident on the twisties than I ever did on the Dunlops.
The Night Dragons were specifically developed for Harley rims.
Pirelli is the only one I could find that has a Bias for front and back other than the stock Dunlops.
So far I feel a whole lot more confident on the twisties than I ever did on the Dunlops.
The Night Dragons were specifically developed for Harley rims.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: SOCAL
Ok... I will take the plunge..
First I want everyone to know that I am on a very minimal budget. I do all my own tire changes, balancing, lacing and everything else to my bike. I always look for the best bargain with the most mileage.
Now I say the following if you are in the same boat as me...."extreme budget"!!
Best budget front tire I have found is the Bridgestone spitfires. Last one I put on I got 13000 miles out of it. And they are were a bargain 73.00. I did just buy a Kenda Cruz so I will let everyone know the mileage I get outta them.
The rear I still run the stock dunlops.
First I want everyone to know that I am on a very minimal budget. I do all my own tire changes, balancing, lacing and everything else to my bike. I always look for the best bargain with the most mileage.
Now I say the following if you are in the same boat as me...."extreme budget"!!
Best budget front tire I have found is the Bridgestone spitfires. Last one I put on I got 13000 miles out of it. And they are were a bargain 73.00. I did just buy a Kenda Cruz so I will let everyone know the mileage I get outta them.
The rear I still run the stock dunlops.