Metzlers fatboy tire
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
anubisss, I want to mount my wheels myself. I'll have the tires mounted and balanced, but how big of a headache is mounting the rear tire, adjusting belt tension, etc?
bi
Also, what model Avons did you buy? $250 for the set is way better than the $375 I have been quoted. Did you get Radials, Bias Ply? Thanks
bi
Also, what model Avons did you buy? $250 for the set is way better than the $375 I have been quoted. Did you get Radials, Bias Ply? Thanks
Last edited by WARG; May 1, 2009 at 11:37 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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I am keeping the rear dunlop for now, since it is nearly new. next year I will change it to a metzler too. Buying online is not really an option for me. I am not going to mount the tire myself. I will take off the wheels and take them to the local indy shop to have the tires mounted.
Difference between a small city and large one is: I can either pay the markup on the tire or I can pay an inflated price for mounting. Either way its the same money. Figure it is just easier to order the tire local. Besides I really do try to buy local when I can. I do not have a lot of options where I have the tires mounted.
Difference between a small city and large one is: I can either pay the markup on the tire or I can pay an inflated price for mounting. Either way its the same money. Figure it is just easier to order the tire local. Besides I really do try to buy local when I can. I do not have a lot of options where I have the tires mounted.
I have run Dunlop's, Metzler's, and and Avon's. I currently have Avon's but let me tell you, when I switched from the lop's to the Metzlers the difference was night and day. I suddenly ahd a different bike. Same was true for the Avon's.
The main difference is that the Metz's and Avon's are made of a much softer compound and are more rounded than the lop's. When I cahnged (both tires) the bike fell into corners and felt like it was on rails. Seriously, if you are considering getting one I would recommend doing both tires. You WILL feel the differnce big time.
As far as quality control issues, I have read about a few problems with the Metler's although I never experienced any myself. I woudl recommend buying online and takeing the wheels off and taking them to an indy to avoid a rediculous stealership bill.
I used american moto tire . com and got 2 tires shipped for $250. Mounted them up myself and was good to go. Tires are one thing that I do not skimp on as they connect me to the ground.
The main difference is that the Metz's and Avon's are made of a much softer compound and are more rounded than the lop's. When I cahnged (both tires) the bike fell into corners and felt like it was on rails. Seriously, if you are considering getting one I would recommend doing both tires. You WILL feel the differnce big time.
As far as quality control issues, I have read about a few problems with the Metler's although I never experienced any myself. I woudl recommend buying online and takeing the wheels off and taking them to an indy to avoid a rediculous stealership bill.
I used american moto tire . com and got 2 tires shipped for $250. Mounted them up myself and was good to go. Tires are one thing that I do not skimp on as they connect me to the ground.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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remounting the retire is easy. make sure you remember which spacers goes where, and buy a belt tension gauge. measure the distance on the adjusters, count threads, on each side. pull everything and then put it back using the same thread count. personally I measure from the pivot bolt, to get everything square.
check your tension and adjust accordingly.
check your tension and adjust accordingly.
anubisss, I want to mount my wheels myself. I'll have the tires mounted and balanced, but how big of a headache is mounting the rear tire, adjusting belt tension, etc?
bi
Also, what model Avons did you buy? $250 for the set is way better than the $375 I have been quoted. Did you get Radials, Bias Ply? Thanks
bi
Also, what model Avons did you buy? $250 for the set is way better than the $375 I have been quoted. Did you get Radials, Bias Ply? Thanks
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
Cool, I've got a belt tension gauge already. I didn't think it would be that bad, I'll just make sure I have some buddies on hand to help out. I may also swap out my brake pads at the same time.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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The pads do not cost that much, so I would change them. I changed both front and rear this year becasue I had them off anyway. I did the rears when I changed the rear tire, and I did the fronts when I put on the chrome front end.
If there are a couple of you lift the rear tire up in to the swingarm. If you are alone, I put the tire up on a couple of 2X6s, then lowered the jack to install the axle.
measure both sides from the center of the pivot bolt to the center of the rear axle. make sure the distance is same within 1/32 of an inch.
If not, your axle is off center.
If there are a couple of you lift the rear tire up in to the swingarm. If you are alone, I put the tire up on a couple of 2X6s, then lowered the jack to install the axle.
measure both sides from the center of the pivot bolt to the center of the rear axle. make sure the distance is same within 1/32 of an inch.
If not, your axle is off center.
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I have heard good things about michelins too.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
They are a beefy looking tire (you can see them in my gallery), handle great and seem to be wearing real well, too. I am not sure what sizes are available.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Spokane, WA.
Figures.........OEM tires- they are not usually a super great tyre. Would like Metz's on my Fatty frt and rear, but both tyres still have miles left in them. That being said, I would like to have BETTER handling in corners and etc!
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