Need new tires
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey, Fl
Need new tires
Ok guys I need to buy new tires so I'm debating between putting dunlops back on or going with Michelin or metezler tires. Let me know what brand you guys think I should go with. Thanks
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: anthem, arizona
I've been riding Harleys for 35 years and have tried every tire brand you can imagine (except Chinese). I've always come back to Dunlops, although all were good tires. Just depends on what you like yourself. I'm not a hot roder or cafe racer, etc., just expect good performance with good mileage. I'll stick with Dunlops, just a personal opinion. Opinions are just like belly buttons though, everyone has one.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
New Tires
Just a word of advice on new Michelin tires...I just put a new set of Michelin Pilot Road 3s on my bike back in September. I thought I had make a huge mistake but I had the original Pilot Road 1s and loved the way they handled. The new tires were all over the place every time I rode the bike. I thought they were the worst tires I ever installed on any vehicle. Anyway, after about 5 long rides on the bike, they finally leveled out and are great. The problem was the release agent they sprayed in the mold when the tire was made. I have never had it last that long on any tires I've ever had. Maybe the tread compounds on these type of tires requires extra release agent to get the tire to release from the mold but it was really dangerous till it burned off in about 10 heat cycles.
Just a heads up...
Just a heads up...
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 900
Likes: 111
From: surrey, england
I went with metzelers & can't believe the improvement over stock tyres ! I know some guys say they don't get the mileage out of these compared to other tyres but I'll be sticking with them.
Trending Topics
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Geneva
Michelin Contender II in my opinion is probably the best for dry and wet traction, and they advertize 25 or is it 50 percent longer tread life, I have 6,000 Plus miles on then on my 12 Ultra classic and checked them the other day and they look great. the stock HD Dunlop tires went at 12,000 for me. The cupping problem is what I got with them. That is a problem and you can check on this forum. Just read what is being said about these tires and also see where HD slammed them as well. I saw that on a monthly email that HD sends me.
So far I am very pleased
So far I am very pleased
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 89
From: Reno, NV
I've was using Dunlops for a long time before trying something different. I went with the metz last summer and found a huge improvement in handling. I keep hearing they don't last as long as the duns, and I don't expect them too. But have yet to find out for myself how long they will actually last.
Dunlops seem to handle a little weird on grooved concrete highways. Maybe it's the squiggly line tread pattern down the middle of the tire? I don't know if I'll go back to the metz next time around, but I know I'm not going back to the duns any time soon. Or any tire with similar tread pattern.
Dunlops seem to handle a little weird on grooved concrete highways. Maybe it's the squiggly line tread pattern down the middle of the tire? I don't know if I'll go back to the metz next time around, but I know I'm not going back to the duns any time soon. Or any tire with similar tread pattern.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 457
Likes: 4
From: Idaho falls
I just changed mine last weekend. Went with Metzler after the recommendation from an indy shop. So far i'm pretty impressed at the difference, especially on the freeways here in California. Will have to see what kind of life i get. The Dunlop gave me about 6800.