I have an '03 Fatboy. Looking to get new tires, not Dunlops. Currently the rear is a 150/80-16 Dunlop. Leaning towards the Pirelli NIght Dragon. How does the 150/80-16 Pirelli compare in size to a Dunlop 150/80-16? I know they are labeled the same size, but it seems like every tire manufacturer is a little different in tire height and width.


I had Pirelli on my Moto Guzzi LeMans and loved them. Then they stopped making that particular model and swithched to Avons. Loved the Avons as well, but they have gotten a little pricey.

 

Just got home and my set of Night Dragons for my '02 Heritage were here. Decided to give'em a try. Hope to get them changed out this weekend. I checked the width and they seem just under my stock Dunlopes but really won't be able to tell until they're mounted. I'll try to check the difference after mounting when I do we'll see.....

 

Finnally got'em on the bike tonight. They were a bugger getting them on the rims, you'd think they were 15in tire going on 16in but gott'em mounted up yesterday over at a buddy of mine's shop. They are a little narrower than the 150 Dunlop I had on before but not by much, this due to the design being more rounded than flatter across like the Dunlop, nice looking tire though. The front looks to be about the same. Haven't had them out yet.

 

Let me know how they handle after you fet a few miles on them. While I don't need a soft rubber high performance tire, they should be able to stick at least as well as the Dunlops and get decent tire wear.

 

Most any tire will stick to the ground better than a Dunlop stock tire. I have always been a firm believer in good tires as they are what attaches me to the road and I only have two of them. I find that tires can greatly affect the handling of a bike.

I have never run the Pirelli's, but I have run Avon's and Metzelers and they both were much better than the Dunlops. I get about 10K out of a set of tires.

Drew

 

I just switched from the stock Dunlop to Avon Vernom and I'm very pleased.

Years ago I had a Moto Guzzi LeMans with super sticky Pirellis, handled like it was on a rail. On the softail I think the Avons or Metzlers are great choice.

 

I have an 06 and looking for stock rims. Found some on craigslist but need to make sure it will work. What is the axle size on my 06? Is it 3/4 or 1/2? Looms lime a good deal and don't want to miss it.

 

I got a set of free Pirelli Night Dragons 140 front and 200 mm rear... from one of my suppliers.
I went through 2 Dunlop rears and one front in 10k miles...hoping for more mileage with Pirellis. I don't think you will find any size diff that will matter ...either for looks or handling.

 

+1 on this.

I've run Metzelers on my bike and always loved them. The bike I just bought last fall has Dunlops on them. They aren't bad, but I like the Metzelers better; trying to get enough miles on the Dunlops so I can change them out. I just switched out front and rear on my girlfriend's '04 Sportster from the Dunlops to Avons last weekend. Wow what a difference. I did notice the Avon's were slightly narrower (a few mm) than the Dunlops but as said above the tire is more rounded than the Dunlops.