Stock tires on M8 Touring - what do you think of them in wet conditions?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,649
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From: Orange County
Stock tires on M8 Touring - what do you think of them in wet conditions?
I get the impression they are a bit sketchy. Just rolling down the road in a very slight curve I go over some lettering in the road and I feel my front tire shimmy over. Not a good feeling. The front tire is pretty much a low profile tire, so I don't think there's a lot of tread that meets the road. Keep in mind this is in rainy conditions. When the roads are dry it is all good.
Anyone else care to share their experiences?
Anyone else care to share their experiences?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Great State of Texas
My experience has been painted road markings, crosswalks etc. are always slippery in the rain no matter what tires your running. I have had zero problems with the stock tires in dry or wet conditions. I chose to replace mine with the factory tires due to that fact. Some say they are junk and cheap. I disagree.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Carlsbad, CA
On my new Ultra Limited with the OEM HDDunlops, I recently did a 5,000 mile tour, with about 4 days of heavy rain in Texas. I didn’t push it hard in tight turns. But, on sweepers and highway conditions they handled well. They only had 1,000 miles starting out, so had a lot of tread, and they still do. Did not have any issues with hydroplaning at 70 MPH on the Interstates,
i know now I’ll have to replace them in the spring, in preparation for another big trip. I’ll likely go with Dunlop American Elites, which are supposed to handle even better than the OEMs,
The one complaint I have is that they tend to track grooved highways.
i know now I’ll have to replace them in the spring, in preparation for another big trip. I’ll likely go with Dunlop American Elites, which are supposed to handle even better than the OEMs,
The one complaint I have is that they tend to track grooved highways.
Last edited by TriGeezer; Nov 30, 2018 at 12:41 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: PA
I assume the stock tires on a M8 are the same that we’re used on my 15RGS??
if so those things worked pretty good for me in the rain. I got a little over 15k on them before replacing and they still had life. Got caught in multiple rain storms on highways and back twisty roads. Never felt em slip or give me reason to doubt em.
if so those things worked pretty good for me in the rain. I got a little over 15k on them before replacing and they still had life. Got caught in multiple rain storms on highways and back twisty roads. Never felt em slip or give me reason to doubt em.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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Factory tires are very good all around tire. Severed us well in rain . When replacement time comes I replace with the Dunlop American Elites few more miles out of them.
Last edited by smitty901; Nov 30, 2018 at 04:24 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 494
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From: Qld, Australia
I’m with smitty on this one - I’m still on my original rear tyre at 29590km! Beat that! I replaced the front about 4000km ago because it all got a bit loose up front, but the stock tyres IMO are the best mix of grip and longevity in any weather condition. Every tyre I’ve used in the wet is one where caution is required despite what the manufacturer blurb might say.
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Joined: Oct 2016
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From: On my bike!
Mileage wise they seem ok but for me they are in the top 3 worst tires I've ran in the wet. I have had several instances where the rear broke loose on wet pavement without any paint or stripes. I switched to metezeler me888's and have not duplicated the problem of the stockers. Never had any issues in the dry with the stock dunlops but in the wet, it's a different ball game in my honest opinion.
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I have around 12k miles on the stock tires and they are wearing pretty good. Probably have about 3-4k to go. I have no issues with them in dry conditions but they suck in the rain. I will spin in 2nd and sometimes 3rd gear when moderately accelerating from a stop. Going around a curve, have to slow down enough to minimize leaning or it will get squirrely. Never hydroplaned though.
