New tires... wrong choice :-(
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 64
From: The Netherlands
New tires... wrong choice :-(
The Dunlop's that were fitted on my '16 Fatboy S lasted 11.500 km (approx. 7.000 miles) so I had to shop for some new rubber...
Based on various sources the Commander II from Michelin should work well on my bike... well, after I've done 1000 km on them I can only say: they don't !
IMO compared to the Dunlops:
- less precise in cornering (more difficult to keep a chosen line)
- much harder work in fast S bends
- not sure how to put this in proper English but they seem far more sensitive to road imperfections, especially tarmac repairs are much more noticeable.
Never thought I'd say this, but hope they won't last too long
In short: I won't buy these again!
Anyone with similar experiences?
Based on various sources the Commander II from Michelin should work well on my bike... well, after I've done 1000 km on them I can only say: they don't !
IMO compared to the Dunlops:
- less precise in cornering (more difficult to keep a chosen line)
- much harder work in fast S bends
- not sure how to put this in proper English but they seem far more sensitive to road imperfections, especially tarmac repairs are much more noticeable.
Never thought I'd say this, but hope they won't last too long
In short: I won't buy these again!
Anyone with similar experiences?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 386
Likes: 155
From: Englewood, CO
The Dunlop's that were fitted on my '16 Fatboy S lasted 11.500 km (approx. 7.000 miles) so I had to shop for some new rubber...
Based on various sources the Commander II from Michelin should work well on my bike... well, after I've done 1000 km on them I can only say: they don't !
IMO compared to the Dunlops:
- less precise in cornering (more difficult to keep a chosen line)
- much harder work in fast S bends
- not sure how to put this in proper English but they seem far more sensitive to road imperfections, especially tarmac repairs are much more noticeable.
Never thought I'd say this, but hope they won't last too long
In short: I won't buy these again!
Anyone with similar experiences?
Based on various sources the Commander II from Michelin should work well on my bike... well, after I've done 1000 km on them I can only say: they don't !
IMO compared to the Dunlops:
- less precise in cornering (more difficult to keep a chosen line)
- much harder work in fast S bends
- not sure how to put this in proper English but they seem far more sensitive to road imperfections, especially tarmac repairs are much more noticeable.
Never thought I'd say this, but hope they won't last too long
In short: I won't buy these again!
Anyone with similar experiences?
Common sense tells you that a tire that is made to last longer, probably won't be as sticky.
Rain performance sucks *****, no question. You WILL fishtail if you give it too much throttle.
Tar Snakes suck *****, no question. They like to follow the snakes path and take you down.
But those are the only two downsides I've found in the C2's. They're wearing far better than my Dunflops did, so they're doing what I bought them for.
If you want a sticky tire, you shouldn't have bought these.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
I've always been happy with the Dunlops except for the 12-16000 KM I get on them on the rear.
The front I get more than 24,000 KM but I don't leave them on longer than that.
I've seen reviews of other tires that get longer life, but they don't seem to perform as well.
I've seen reviews of other tires that perform better but don't have a longer life.
I just stick with what works best and that's the Dunlops for me.
The front I get more than 24,000 KM but I don't leave them on longer than that.
I've seen reviews of other tires that get longer life, but they don't seem to perform as well.
I've seen reviews of other tires that perform better but don't have a longer life.
I just stick with what works best and that's the Dunlops for me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
What I am running. They are not near as stiff as the LOPs , so I bet you are correct. I like that on my bike. I drive like an old man, so I do not have any performance need. They seem to be wearing about the same as LOPs did. About like a eraser on a first grader's #2 Pedigree..
Hit the air pressure up (no more then what's on sidewall) and will probably help.
Personally, I would not push limits unless I was on a race track. Never know when the next curve has gravel and dust on it.
Hit the air pressure up (no more then what's on sidewall) and will probably help.
Personally, I would not push limits unless I was on a race track. Never know when the next curve has gravel and dust on it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2,015
From: Missouri
There has been a lot of discussion about tires and different brands on this forum. Do a search, there are many, many threads. I'd just say try diff ones till you find the ones that work best for you.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
For what it's worth:
I'm on my 3rd set of Metzlers, with the front being the new 888. While I've never run the Avons, I have no reason to change. I'm very happy with the perfomance of the Metzlers. Longevity is not an issue as I'm more interested in performance than the mileage (14,000) that I'm getting out of them. They certainly have better performance in the rain, and on any road surface imperfection.
A riding buddy switched to Metzler this past spring and says that it's like riding a brand new bike.
I'm on my 3rd set of Metzlers, with the front being the new 888. While I've never run the Avons, I have no reason to change. I'm very happy with the perfomance of the Metzlers. Longevity is not an issue as I'm more interested in performance than the mileage (14,000) that I'm getting out of them. They certainly have better performance in the rain, and on any road surface imperfection.
A riding buddy switched to Metzler this past spring and says that it's like riding a brand new bike.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 792
Likes: 258
From: N.E.Ohio
Over the last 45 plus years I think I've tried most tires, but I have to admit that it is very hard to improve on the stock Dunlops in my opinion. Again in my opinion!! I never found a better wet weather tire and in NE Ohio and touring this part of the country, I find wet performance very important. Any tire will go down the freeway but I found over the years that a stickier tire instills more confidence when the weather turns. So I will gladly give up 5% to 10% in mileage for the Dunlop safety.
