Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

New tires... wrong choice :-(

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 12:53 PM
  #1  
Tinker55's Avatar
Tinker55
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 218
Likes: 58
From: The Netherlands
Default 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?
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 01:03 PM
  #2  
Prot's Avatar
Prot
Club Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,825
Likes: 17,830
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Riders Club Member
Default

Give Metzeler 880's a try next time.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 01:41 PM
  #3  
FattyMcJ's Avatar
FattyMcJ
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 386
Likes: 155
From: Englewood, CO
Default

Originally Posted by Tinker55
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?
I have 'em on my FLHTC and while they're not the best, I chose them for longer life.

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.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 02:22 PM
  #4  
Spindrifter's Avatar
Spindrifter
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 432
Likes: 43
From: Portland, Oregon
Default

I've had pretty good luck with the Avons I bought.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 03:04 PM
  #5  
Bluraven's Avatar
Bluraven
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 899
From: Omaha
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 03:26 PM
  #6  
Jackie Paper's Avatar
Jackie Paper
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,202
Likes: 6,281
From: Honah Lee
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 06:44 PM
  #7  
01dyna's Avatar
01dyna
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2,015
From: Missouri
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 06:59 PM
  #8  
Deucedog's Avatar
Deucedog
Stellar HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 09:49 PM
  #9  
cobalt07's Avatar
cobalt07
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 792
Likes: 258
From: N.E.Ohio
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2016 | 09:55 PM
  #10  
Fatboy1389's Avatar
Fatboy1389
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 272
From: Canton, GA
Default

Check out the Avon Cobras for you bike ..... you won't be disappointed
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:09 PM.