Rocker C tire suggestions welcomed

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Aug 17, 2017 | 05:21 AM

JeffersonHI

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6th Gear

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 10

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From: O'ahu

Rocker C tire suggestions welcomed

Aloha, all! This is my first post on hdforums. I retired last year so finally have the time to ride...LOL. I bought a 2009 Rocker C with just under 8K miles last May and have been making mods: Heartland rear fender, tank lift, Bitchin Seats pullback bars (which lowered the handlebar height by 3" to accommodate my bum shoulder), and a few other things. I'm currently waiting for a 21 X 3.25 replica wheel from Heartland to arrive and wanted to solicit your suggestions on new rubber. (Note: I'll also be installing a new triple tree from HHI with a 5-degree rake to accommodate that new wheel.)
I run the stock rear wheel, mounted with a Dunlop Elite 3 (date pressed on it indicates it was made in February, 2013). It's got well over 50% tread left on it so I wasn't going to replace that.
But I haven't decided on what rubber to slip onto the new 21 X 3.25 front wheel...and I'm hoping other Rocker owners out there can share their experience and provide suggestions for me. Should I get a matching Elite 3 for the front? Right now, the stock 19" wheel has a D401 90/90/19 tire on it. I was leaning toward a 120/70/21 Elite 3 for the front. Would that work out for me?

Aug 17, 2017 | 05:14 PM

Rocker B

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Joined: Jul 2014

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From: "Old Hangtown" Placerville Ca.

Welcome Jefferson!! I have Metzeler 880 Marathon tires on my Rocker, I really like Metzeler, and wanted a 260mm rear tire. My front is a 120/70/21 on a 21" x 3.5" rim..... I hear good things about the E3 as well, I know a lot of people are running the Elite 3 on their Breakouts, and I think most are happy with them.... Also, Don't worry too much about having to match the rear now, the rear tire is not going to last very long compared to the front, usually only about 5K-6K miles, so get the brand you want now, for the front, and you will be able to match it up with a new rear soon enough!!.....and be sure to post some pics on the Rocker Picture Thread!!

Last edited by Rocker B; Aug 17, 2017 at 05:16 PM.

Aug 17, 2017 | 08:04 PM

JeffersonHI

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6th Gear

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 10

Likes: 1

From: O'ahu

Thanks for that suggestion, Rocker B. I'll look into the Metzeler 880 Marathon for the front. You mention you "...wanted a 260mm rear tire" - did you use the stock wheel to mount your 260mm rear tire? I've read on other posts that the Rocker rear can accept up to 260mm without any modifications - was that true in your case also? Can you comment on how a 260mm tire handles compared to the stock 240mm?

Aug 17, 2017 | 08:34 PM

Rocker B

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Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 1,626

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From: "Old Hangtown" Placerville Ca.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffersonHI

I have Southern Motorcycle Works wheels on my Rocker, with a 8.5" rear, but yes you can install the 260 on the stock wheel with no modifications. I also have one on my Breakouts stock 8" rim, which has the same set up as the Rocker, and it fits fine. The difference over the "stock" Dunlop 240 is huge, but the stock tire was horrible. I haven't tried the E3, but from what I've read, you might not notice a big difference between the Metz. 260 and the E3 handling wise, but the Metzeler tires handles great, and I like the way the 260mm fills up the fender...

Here's pics, the 1st is the stock 240mm/stock fender, 2nd is the Metz 260mm with the stock fender, and a couple with the 260 and my current Thunderbike fender.

Last edited by Rocker B; Aug 17, 2017 at 08:41 PM.

Aug 17, 2017 | 08:51 PM

JeffersonHI

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 10

Likes: 1

From: O'ahu

...gorgeous bike! I remember spending several nights paging through your build thread that documented all the mods you've made on your bike. That was inspiring for me!
Thanks for the assurance re: 260mm on the stock wheel. I'm probably going to get the Metzeler 21" front, then, as you suggest, get a matching one for the rear after a few months of riding. Great advice, and thanks again.

Aug 17, 2017 | 10:47 PM

Rocker B

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 1,626

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From: "Old Hangtown" Placerville Ca.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffersonHI

Your very welcome, and thanks for the compliments!! I'm sure you'll be happy with the Metz. tires, and going to the 21" front with the 120/70/21 tire will greatly improve the handling of your Rocker, also, the wider tire wont grab and try to follow tar snakes and cracks in the road, which for me was always a annoying problem with the skinny 90/90/19 stock tire.
Let me know what you think after install... It should feel like a new bike!!