Rear Tire?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Some where In Between Lost & Found
Rear Tire?
I need a new rear tire and was wanting to get a METZELER ME880 ME 880 MARATHON REAR TIRE 150/80-16 the front tire has allot of tread left and it is the Dunlap that came on the bike My question is can I miss match the METZELER on the rear and Dunlap on the front without any problems the Harley service dept said it wouldnt handle right!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
I ran a Dunlop on the rear and Metz on the front for 8K, never a problem.
The thing you don't wanna do is mix a Radial and a Bias tire. For the most part the tire industry has dumped the bias tires for on-highway use, but bias type tires are still offered in the ATV and 4x4 off-road industry. And bias tires are for Farm equip. aircraft, etc....
You'll be fine.
The thing you don't wanna do is mix a Radial and a Bias tire. For the most part the tire industry has dumped the bias tires for on-highway use, but bias type tires are still offered in the ATV and 4x4 off-road industry. And bias tires are for Farm equip. aircraft, etc....
You'll be fine.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Andover, Maine
I went from a dunlop to a metzeler after going through two rear dunlops. First rear dunlop I got about 7500 miles. Second rear dunlop (after 103 kit ) I got only 5000 miles (understandably with the added power) and that was pushin' it. I'm ready for a change on the 880 rear now on my bike and I've got around 7000 miles on it. Bike handles noticeably better with the Metzelers. You can corner and brake harder. Also a better tire for riding on wet roads IMHO. I'll be ordering another from Dennis Kirk this week. Good deals from that company.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
Trending Topics
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
You can mix if you want. When I first got my bike I trashed the Dunlop's as soon as the rear was worn out and got a set of ME880's. The softer compound and different shape of the ME880's made the bike ride a completely new vehicle and it was well worth it in my opinion. The bike suddenly just fell into corners and rode much smoother.
Drew
Drew
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
First of all I don't normally hang out here cause I have a touring bike. But I need your help. My wife's Deluxe will need it's first new rear tire. In the touring world, most like the Dunlop E3 tires. What tire do most like for the Softail Deluxe?
Also, does she need to have the tube replaced when she changes the tire (laced wheels)?
Thanks for your help.
Also, does she need to have the tube replaced when she changes the tire (laced wheels)?
Thanks for your help.
Last edited by Ozoneman; Jul 22, 2010 at 07:33 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
I ran the ME880 on front and rear and the ride was superior to the Dunlop which made my bike feel like the flintstones car and now just put the 160 16 ME880 and it rides NICE plus it has a little more load capacity. Don't know about mix/match cause I always replace as a pair but don't think it would cause an issue.