So, I've got my bike on my Craftsman jack tonight, and I'm shining her up all pretty, and notice 2 tire issues. 1- rear tire has a "shiny" streak on the right side, like it's been rubbing on something (actually, it looks like I did a burnout, but way off-centered). It's damn near on the sidewall. As I'm checking this out, I notice a small groove right through the middle of the shiny streak.....not all the way around; looks like the tire is hitting something under the rear fender, but only when I hit bumps. So, I think to myself- "Self, I may need a new tire." This one has 4,200 mi on it. 2- As I'm cleaning the front wheel, I realize that my front tire has a small lump in it, right next to the rim. About the size of a marble (cut in half). This tire has about 7,500 mi on it.

I'm leaving in 8 days for Fayetteville, Arkansas for Bikes, Blues, and BBQ (round trip will be less than 1k miles). Guess I need to call around and find a new set of tires. I'm torn between the stock Dunlops, Perelli Night Dragons, or Metzeler ME880s. I've searched around, and seen pros and cons to each. This is my 2nd Dunlop rear (got 8,200 out of the first one). With my tight time-frame, I don't really have the luxury of shopping around and having them shipped to me.....may have to just buy locally, and pay more. Thoughts from the gallery?

 

if there is a better tire than the stock HD one I would get that, Metz are good from what I hear, and that will be my second tire set after my factory skins are done.

 

I guess the obvious thing is to make sure that whatever is cutting that rear gets taken care of.

We change tires often enough anyway. Get what you can local so you can meet your schedule and have fun. This gives you more time to consider what's next.

By the way, why not Avon? Just curious.

 

I'm about 2" down in the rear. I think what's happening is that I'm rubbing something when I hit bumps riding 2-up.....I almost NEVER ride 2-up. I've had this bike for almost 3 yrs, and my wife has been on it a handful of times.

I left Avon off the list due to cost. I don't mean to be a cheap @$$, but $300 for a rear is a little too much, IMO. I didn't even look at the cost of the front. The price of a rear scared me off. I've read some posts from guys getting 3,500- 5k out of ME880 rears......I'm not sure I like that idea. We'll just have to see, I guess.

 

I have been running Avon's for several years and love em, but the past year or so, the price has just about driven me away.

 

It never seems to happen when you "don't" have a trip planned. Have fun at B, B & BBQ. It's a great rally. I'm a local so I don't get the pleasure of riding to it. This thing just keeps growing.

 

BBQ can hardley wait!!Hope it's not raining too hard! Any tire will do,come on over!

 

i am trying the avon for the front but have used metzler also. i am trying the new dunlop roadsmart on the rear and all i can say it is great. it also is just a little smaller than the stock rear but just as wide. it has a sport tread and hard rubber in center and soft on sides. it lowered my mph and raised my rpm about 4% and that is great on a 6 speed.

 

Make sure your tire is centered in the rear fender. Measure each side of the tire to the wheel well. Mine was not centered and seemed to rub only once in a great while. Yanked the crap out of the fender where the struts are to get tire centered in the wheel well. All is good again.

 

Do you firm up your shocks when you ride two up?
Tom