Tire setup for 2008 Night Train

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 12, 2012 | 06:14 AM

#11

Branner

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,700

Likes: 7

From: Buffalo

Another vote for Avons, here.

Apr 12, 2012 | 08:43 AM

#12

NDBadlands4-2

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 14,778

Likes: 69

From: Badlands of ND

I also have a Avon rear tire on my Night Train. I really like it.

Apr 12, 2012 | 09:45 AM

#13

Hogpro

Former Sponsor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 10,968

Likes: 54

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadeye

I've got the Night Dragons on now and my last tires were the Metz 880. Both are better than stock. Due to my riding environment (mostly stop-and-go city) I never get more than 3K out of front or rear tires before hitting wear bars or bald spots. I hope the Night Dragons hold out for 3K but they seem softer than stock or Metz...so I doubt it.

I would tend to think something is wrong if you are only getting 3000 miles out of any tire. Metzelers need to be run at a higher pressure than stock tires, that might be part of the issue. There is a max PSI listed on the side of the tire. Higher pressure always equals more miles out of a tire assuming that you are running it low at something like 36.

Apr 12, 2012 | 10:07 AM

#14

DC_Night_Train

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 106

Likes: 0

From: Washington, DC

Thanks for all the tips fellas. Looking at the treads of the Avon and Metzler, it looks like the Metz is better set up to handle rain. I try not to ride in it but get caught out there every once in a while. How'd the tires hold up in the wet?

Apr 12, 2012 | 10:14 AM

#15

sBender

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 269

Likes: 0

From: The seat of my pants.

I've got about 7500 miles on my first set of Night Dragons. I've got an 09 train at the moment and got about 7K out of the stocks. Even though the NDs are a softer compound I've seen better life out of them. I think the reason is that I followed some advice here on the forums and started upping my pressure in both front and rear. I ride fairly hard and am really happy with this tire. It also does extremely well in the rain. I just did a trip where we experienced some torrential down pours and even though I couldn't see the bike gripped the road very well. I've run Metz in the past and thought they were OK. Honestly the main reason I picked up the NDs was because of price. I'll definitely put another set on... I'm guessing I can get another 3K - 5K out of them.

Apr 12, 2012 | 03:21 PM

#16

imboden

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 2,967

Likes: 94

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSS_FXD

DC

I say go with the Metzeler ME880 too. They look the best I think and last awhile too. My rear Metz is due for a change too and I will go with a Metz again.

me too....

started with Avon venoms, didn't like em. switched to metzeler 880 and never looked back

Apr 12, 2012 | 06:25 PM

#17

tourman12

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 311

Likes: 0

From: Fond du Lac,Wi.

I have over 18k on my 09 train & ran through 2 Dunlop & 1 Metezler rear tire. The Metzeler gave me more milage(approx. 6.5k) but now I'm due for yet another rear tire. I've learned that any 200/55R17 tire just does not last more then 7k. Yes there are exceptions but on average from the bikers & garage folks I talk to thats what you get with the 200's. Higher pressure does give you longer life.Now I'm looking at the Avon's but also looking at the Michelin Commander 2. This is a new updated Michelin that perports to get twice the milage as other's in the same class. Also the price is competitive with Metz.,Avon or Dunlop.