New tires... wrong choice :-(
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,097
Likes: 13,030
From: Texas, USA
For the record, I use Dunlops and will continue to do so. I really don't care how long they last. When they need replacing I'll replace them.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
A couple things to try out before throwing the new rubber away:
If you do plan on getting new tires after all of that, stay far away from Metzeler 888. They are fine on dry, straight roads but when it comes to the wet and roundabouts, you won't stand a chance.
- Check the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure for your specific model. Some people have the "one size fits all" mentality.
- Check the alignment. Maybe the spacers are not in the same order as they were taken off.
- Have them re-balanced or put Ride-On in them.
If you do plan on getting new tires after all of that, stay far away from Metzeler 888. They are fine on dry, straight roads but when it comes to the wet and roundabouts, you won't stand a chance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
A couple things to try out before throwing the new rubber away:
If you do plan on getting new tires after all of that, stay far away from Metzeler 888. They are fine on dry, straight roads but when it comes to the wet and roundabouts, you won't stand a chance.
- Check the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure for your specific model. Some people have the "one size fits all" mentality.
- Check the alignment. Maybe the spacers are not in the same order as they were taken off.
- Have them re-balanced or put Ride-On in them.
If you do plan on getting new tires after all of that, stay far away from Metzeler 888. They are fine on dry, straight roads but when it comes to the wet and roundabouts, you won't stand a chance.
Cheers!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Very interesting thread. My original stock Dunlops on my 2015 Fat Boy now have 4,500 miles and the tire guage shows that there is still some life left in them. So was thinking about replacing them at the 6,000 mile service. I have been VERY happy with the handling of the Dunlops so probably will go with them again, notwithstanding the unimpressive life of the tires.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
Personally, I'd rather be alive between tire changes than try to save a few euro's on a 15k plus toy.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 386
Likes: 155
From: Englewood, CO
Bingo. As with anything, there's always a trade-off.
And I'm on the other side of the topic. I ride daily, it's my main mode of transportation 10 months out of the year (gotta love Colorado!). I need the tire longevity. I'm not carving the mountain roads like a bat-out-of-hell, so crazy grip is less important to me than replacing tires every 4 months.
And I'm on the other side of the topic. I ride daily, it's my main mode of transportation 10 months out of the year (gotta love Colorado!). I need the tire longevity. I'm not carving the mountain roads like a bat-out-of-hell, so crazy grip is less important to me than replacing tires every 4 months.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Yes and I've posted my results in here a bunch of times about the Commander II's not being the tire I hoped them to be...
the Comd II rear lasted me about 2k longer than the Lop 401 (12K vs 10k)
the Comd II front lasted me about 1/2 as much as the Lop 402.. (12K vs 22K)
what I didn't like about them was they were really squirrelly in turns that had tar snakes and they both started cupping at 8K and only got worse..
I'll also never buy them again and last fall I went with some new Lops, their latest - American Elites... not a lot of miles this summer on them, but so far I am liking them a lot better.
..
the Comd II rear lasted me about 2k longer than the Lop 401 (12K vs 10k)
the Comd II front lasted me about 1/2 as much as the Lop 402.. (12K vs 22K)
what I didn't like about them was they were really squirrelly in turns that had tar snakes and they both started cupping at 8K and only got worse..
I'll also never buy them again and last fall I went with some new Lops, their latest - American Elites... not a lot of miles this summer on them, but so far I am liking them a lot better.
..
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