Which new 200mm tire?
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
Metzeler ME880 on my Custom as well. the difference between the OEM Dunlops is very noticeable IF you ride the bike in a manner that you would notice. if most of your riding is interstate or boulevard cruising, I don't think you will see a difference.
If you like to attack the twisties and live for S curves and switchbacks like I do, there is no comparison, in my opinion.
the additional speed and confidence I can carry into a curve now is much higher than with the Dunlops. Especially on a warm day. The 880's heat up quick and really stick when you are flicking the bike through the turns. I found the Dunlops did not stay in their performance zone from a heat standpoint for very long. I would notice them giving up adhesion well before the 880's do.
I certainly don't ride hard all the time, and don't try to make my bike handle like a CBR1000, but when I'm in the mood to run a 7 or 8 mile twisty road section, I want tires that can keep up.
and I really like the way their tread pattern looks like on my bike as well.
more expensive, yes, and I am sure will not last any longer than the Dunlops(maybe not as long).
It's your only contact with the pavement and I want the most performance I can buy.
If you like to attack the twisties and live for S curves and switchbacks like I do, there is no comparison, in my opinion.
the additional speed and confidence I can carry into a curve now is much higher than with the Dunlops. Especially on a warm day. The 880's heat up quick and really stick when you are flicking the bike through the turns. I found the Dunlops did not stay in their performance zone from a heat standpoint for very long. I would notice them giving up adhesion well before the 880's do.
I certainly don't ride hard all the time, and don't try to make my bike handle like a CBR1000, but when I'm in the mood to run a 7 or 8 mile twisty road section, I want tires that can keep up.
and I really like the way their tread pattern looks like on my bike as well.
more expensive, yes, and I am sure will not last any longer than the Dunlops(maybe not as long).
It's your only contact with the pavement and I want the most performance I can buy.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 438
Likes: 2
From: Florida
George c, if your 200 tire is almost touching your belt then you should double check your alignment. Even 1mm difference in distance between axle center and swingarm center will result in several mm difference at the tire. I'm wondering if your rear wheel is pulling to the left.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
Glad to see this post as I need a new D 407 200 tire on my "08 springer.It was shot at 5800 miles.My bike has the 110 motor so that extra power may have added to the quick wear,however It seems from what I have read hear I might as well stick to the Dunlop. I wish there was a higher mileage tire because there is no way the lean angle or power of a Harley will push a tires traction limits.My under carriage,pegs,even the tip of my big radius pipes are ground down from cornering,but never was traction an issue.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From:
Avon
My first tire was shot at 5800 miles, down to the cord in the middle of no &%$@ Wyoming. I limped into Lander and found a shop there with another Dunlop. This one had about 4500 miles when the bike went in for service this winter. My shop guy recommended the Avon Vipers over Metzeler or Dunlop. He had nothing against the Metzelers just he had more experience with the Avons. He builds custom bikes and does restoration so I'll trust his judgment. I have only ridden about 150 miles on the new tires but they ride and handle far better than the stock. Now how many miles, I'll wait and see.
I'll buy American as fast as anyone, but if the difference is a few bucks or my butt sliding down the asphalt....
Can't wait for warm weather in Illinois!!!
I'll buy American as fast as anyone, but if the difference is a few bucks or my butt sliding down the asphalt....
Can't wait for warm weather in Illinois!!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 5
From: near Buffalo, NY
George c, if your 200 tire is almost touching your belt then you should double check your alignment. Even 1mm difference in distance between axle center and swingarm center will result in several mm difference at the tire. I'm wondering if your rear wheel is pulling to the left.
thomkat,
It's very easy to say that the tire difference is far better, but remember you are going from a worn out profile to a brand new profile.
That's going from worst to best, so ofcourse you are going to notice a major difference.
I guess I'm just a Dunlop guy. As far as sliding down the road, you'll see that the Avons are a little squirlley on the edges of the tire.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 546
Likes: 2
From: Rio Grande Valley, TX
I got about 5k out of my Dunlop and switched to the Cobra. I've got about 7K on it and it still looks new. It's a good tire. The front is Dunlop is starting to crack in areas and the surface has a strange feel to it after 12K. Next week I'm ordering a Cobra for the front.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From:
200 tire
George C;
you make a good point and it may be that it has been several months since i rode on new tires so it is hard to say. i'll know more after 6000 miles to see if they are worth the difference. thanks for the heads up on the extra lean traits.
i guess this is why there are so many tire companies out there. i was always a goodyear guy for my truck!
ah, hell, i just wanna ride!!
you make a good point and it may be that it has been several months since i rode on new tires so it is hard to say. i'll know more after 6000 miles to see if they are worth the difference. thanks for the heads up on the extra lean traits.
i guess this is why there are so many tire companies out there. i was always a goodyear guy for my truck!
ah, hell, i just wanna ride!!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 2
From: Port Richey, Florida
I did a post about 8 weeks ago on this subject. I went with Shinko Radials, 200/50/17 rear from the 200/55/17, the 50 series tire is shorter in the sidewall changing the gear ratio just enough that now 6th gear is much more useable and 4th and 5th are alot more responsive at 45-55 MPH. Shinko bought out Yokohama witch was a OEM tire on alot of bikes for years. Alot of Crotch Rocket guys here have been running them and I have not heard any negative stuff yet. I have 2700 miles on them now and they show very little wear with better handling, and the wet weather handling is like night and day compared to the Dunlops. I live in Florida, the Train is all I own, I ride everyday and IMHO I will not go back to Dunlops. Plus I can buy 2 sets for the price of 1 set of Dunlops.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 438
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Decon blue, thanx for that post about the 50 series vs. 55 sidewalls. I was wondering if the shorter tire would have a noticeable affect on the feel, accelleration, or throw off the speedo a bit, or whatever. I would like mine "geared down" just slightly, so this should work great for me.