Metzeler ME880
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Metzeler ME880
Ok. I did a search and didn't find the info I was looking for. I ordered a set of stock size 880's for my FATBOY. But after looking at my order, it says they are a bias ply. So I looked and did not find a radial option. Did I make a mistake???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
Older Harley call for bias. What does yours call for since you do not provide much info. Probably does not matter. Radials need special tubes if you have spokes. Guess that why old school Harley's call for bias. Sure tire people say not to mix types but my front to back is not matched by Harley's spec on their Dunlops but they are both bias. I have an 880 on the front. Noticed it is wearing in a sort of bumpy look but it's still smoother then the last Dunlop. Although balanced by local dealer lop had a lot of vibration and untill I put the cast wheel on had not noticed it.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Apr 27, 2011 at 09:29 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 5
From: Emerald Coast, FL
Bias ply tires are recommended on all Harleys except the V. Also a note to Ripsaw... run the max cold psi on the front tire and avoid the cupping syndrome. As soon as you change tire away from OEM... you have to adjust inflation psi - the manual is no longer a good guide.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
I just read in another post that bias ply tires arent as good as a radial ply tire. I believe the quote was "bias ply are outdated and primarily used for ATV's and tractors." So, I was looking for opinions/input from guys who actually run them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
Bias ply tires are recommended on all Harleys except the V. Also a note to Ripsaw... run the max cold psi on the front tire and avoid the cupping syndrome. As soon as you change tire away from OEM... you have to adjust inflation psi - the manual is no longer a good guide.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Apr 27, 2011 at 11:39 AM.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
We fall under the "Tractors" category.
Bias is just fine.
And a +1 on going with the tire makers recommended air pressure.
I'm running Avon's at 44 front and 44 rear per their site.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
I love my Metzlers. I run them on an '02 Fat Boy and on my Streetglied too. They are bias ply and require more pressure than Dunlops. I run 45lbs. p.s.i. in the front and 42 to 45 in the rears depending on whether I pack a chick or not. I've been running them for seven or eight years exclusively. They wear as well as Dunlops 10 to 12 thousand on the rears. Double that on the fronts. No cupping. I live in Colorado where the roads ain't straight, so I run them on the sides some. These tires stick on the pavement! Great in the canyons. Call them tractior tires if you will, but they are the best I've tried for the way I ride. Don't be scared to air 'em up. They are meant to run that way.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
Bias means 'tubes', R is for Radial (tubeless), most of our bikes sadly run 'B', I say 'sadly' because..
1 - Radial tires have much less disastrous consequences when inflated at speed
2 - Radial tires increase the handling and performance of the bike.
But Radials require a good seal between the Tire and the Rim, there are companies that make Radial (tubeless) spoked wheels, but they are prone to problems, same with Cast wheels.
Further more skinny wheels (like the 90/21 fronts on the FXST/B/C/D/S and FXDWG series can not seal properly they need wider rims and wider tires.
Some Harley mechanics run tubes inside tubeless to avoid dealing with leaks in seals in newer bikes, but that is dangerous as tubeless tires run way hotter than tube tires. and will affect the tube.
In short, if your bike calls for 'R' then use R, if not then stick with B (ply bias ) like the rest of us and be careful, and calm in case you get a flat while moving.
Best of Luck.
1 - Radial tires have much less disastrous consequences when inflated at speed
2 - Radial tires increase the handling and performance of the bike.
But Radials require a good seal between the Tire and the Rim, there are companies that make Radial (tubeless) spoked wheels, but they are prone to problems, same with Cast wheels.
Further more skinny wheels (like the 90/21 fronts on the FXST/B/C/D/S and FXDWG series can not seal properly they need wider rims and wider tires.
Some Harley mechanics run tubes inside tubeless to avoid dealing with leaks in seals in newer bikes, but that is dangerous as tubeless tires run way hotter than tube tires. and will affect the tube.
In short, if your bike calls for 'R' then use R, if not then stick with B (ply bias ) like the rest of us and be careful, and calm in case you get a flat while moving.
Best of Luck.