My 2012 Heritage has almost 6000 miles on it and both tires have all sorts of tread depth left. Are you drifting the thing?

 

I've just replaced the stock HD-branded Dunlop 200/55R17 at around 5500k miles. I was expecting more, especially since these are presumably developed for somewhat warmer or at least drier weather than we have here in the UK. I probably still had another 500 miles or so out of it, but found it too slippy in the wet. Have switched to Avon this time. They are meant to be much better for the European roads without suffering too much from fast wear due to the weather.

 

Commander II or Metzeler ME888 will both yield much better mileage and handle much better than the stock tires. 6000 miles sounds really low. You might want to check that tire pressure every other week to ensure it is inflated properly.

On wider tire like on the fatboy's with the 200 tires 6000 is fair but on a Heritage 6000 miles is nothing.

 

I just commented on a thread put out by "lizdc" about OEM tires. I have 9100 miles on my WWW Dunlop 402's and compared to a new set they look nearly the same. I have always gotten exceptional mileage out of my tires over the years and on any bike I have ever had. I put in that thread what I do for my tires and how I ride but like I stated, I don't ride any different, that I can see or tell, than any of my buddies so I can't explain it or why but what ever the reason, I am very happy about it given the price of these tires along with the install. Good luck and keep us posted on what you end up going with, costs, where and from who you get them from.

I also agree though that when it's time for new tires I don't push the issue and try and squeeze every single last mile out of them. My life and safety trumps every thing else!!!

 

Recently put Commander IIs on my Slim and they are indeed the shiznet. You will be very pleased with the difference.

 

To answer any question about tire maintenance, I check tire pressure weekly and sometimes twice a week if there's a big temp flux. We can have a wide range of temps in the spring and fall. I'm 60 years old and definitely don't ride as fast as I used to and I don't do burn-outs and juvenile **** like that. The only thing I can think of that would cause more accelerated tire wear would be that I live on hwy. 28 in the foothills of the Blue Ridge section of the Smoky's. Almost all of my riding is in the mountains. Clayton GA, Franklin NC, Dillard GA etc... The mileage I experience is not unusual for this area.

CJ

 

Softail, 150/16 Metzler 888. It is a much heavier tire, load capacity is higher, reinforced sidewall, high mileage compound, designed to run at 45-50 lbs PSI, about $140 at Dennis Kirk. I have run this on the back of my Heritage now with 4000 miles on it, looks good, rides good and looks like it may go 12-15000 on rear with 95% 2 up and twisties. Only negative I have had is that it will give you a momentary feel of a slip on initial lay into a tight curve. When my front tire is ready to replace it will get the 888 also. They are avail in WW's now.

 

+1 on the above, but the only place I could find that size in WW was J&P and it cost me $191.00 shipped to my door. Dennis Kirk did not have it in WW. Been running the 880's for several years looking forward to the new 888's.

 

Hi, it's about time for me to replace my rear tire on my slim. I just ordered on the phone a Metzeler ME888 150/80H16 from motorcycle superstore. The tube they told me would fit is http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...uty-inner-tube Is this the proper tube I need?

 

You will have to look at your wheel to see if valve stem comes out the center or at an angle. You will use a metal SMV if it is a laced wheel. I always buy my tube from the installer. That way if it fails after install it is the installer's responsibilty, not me who bought the tube. If you are self installing, this is not an issue.