Hi All -

I am hoping the good people of this forum can help me out. It's time for a tire change and I'm a noob at this. I am riding a 2018 softail slim with 16" spoke wheels and I have a few questions:

1. Tires: I have the tire I want picked out Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra Tires. According to my manual the the stock tires are 16" Dunlop D401 130/90B16 BW for the front. The one ones on Cyclegrear are 130/90B16 73H TL Reinforced. Is there a difference between "BW" at the end for the stock tire and "TL" at the end for the Metzeler?
   
2. Similarly, the stock back tire is 16" Dunlop D401 150/80B16 BW. The Metzeler is 150/80B16 77H TL WWW. Do I need to worry about "BW" and "77H TL WWW" difference?
   
3. How do I choose the correct inner tube? I'm on softail slim and when looking at inner tubes on Cyclegear I get two dropdown options
   

4) Lastly, beside tire, inner tube and rim strap do I need anything else? For example do I need a new valve stem or something else?


Thanks everyone for your help!

 

Tubes- just ruff size is gooder enough.
Next, If you have not ever done a bicycle tire I am pretty sure this will kick your ****.
Personally, I think you picked the wrong tire.
I have had two ME 888 come apart and if you check the net I ain't the only one.

You need two tire irons , soapy water, a vice or away to bust the bead off.

 

Pay to have the tires mounted and balanced.
It ain't worth the hassle for a novice to do it especially if you dick up the rim or the tire.

 

Thanks all, I should have mentioned that I will pay to have them mounted. I neither have the tools or experience to change the tires myself. I just want to make sure I bring the right equipment so I don't have to pay the mechanic other than labor.

 

BW, means black wall tire, WWW means wide white wall tire. Big difference. Ride safe.

 

 

The best thing you can have is an extra set of hands when reinstalling the wheel. Getting everything lined up and the axle back through is a pita to do by yourself. Especially with that arm for the brake caliper. Don't loose the rubber bumpers for that arm. Unless they stopped using them on the M8 models.

 

IF you didn't get the tires, the new Metzelers I ordered are made in China and quite frankly, they look like ****. I returned em..