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I did ok on my stock Dunlops as i've gotten 18k on the rear and still have the front on the bike. I replaced the rear with the Metzler 888 and really like how it handles. As far as longevity of it, only time will tell but i really like the profile of the tire and how it rides. When it's time to replace the front tire, i'll also switch it over to a Metzler. I used to use Metzler tires on my crotch rockets which i did ride extremely hard and they held up well under that punishment so i can't imagine them not doing well and lasting on my Harley. Like everything else, it's all about personal choice.
I get around 6K on my 200 rear and twice that on the 130 front.
I have just ordered another set of tires and would like to have gone with the Commander II's, but because I want to stick with the 130 front tire it limits me to HD Dunlop.
Order #: Order Date: 08/31/2014 - 8:32pm Shipping Method: UPS Ground Products Subtotal: $338.42 UPS Ground: $26.90 ------ Total for this Order: $365.32
Products on order: 1 x 43100008 - $148.76
SKU: HD-43100008
From some of the replies it seems some people have replaced the rear stock Dunlop with a different brand while keeping the front Dunlop? I was told when you replace any one tire, say the rear one, which usually needs replacing first, you should stay with the brand and tread pattern that matches the front tire (the one that you're not replacing). Is it not correct that both front and rear tires should be the same brand and tread pattern?
I guess that's what I was asking for, is there a logical reason or is just being overly conservative? FWIW - I was told by two HD techs to maintain the same front and rear tire brand/tread pattern the same, so I went that route when I replaced my rear tire.
From some of the replies it seems some people have replaced the rear stock Dunlop with a different brand while keeping the front Dunlop? I was told when you replace any one tire, say the rear one, which usually needs replacing first, you should stay with the brand and tread pattern that matches the front tire (the one that you're not replacing). Is it not correct that both front and rear tires should be the same brand and tread pattern?
I have been running mixed brands on my Heritage for years. Dunlop E3 up front and Avon Venom X in back. I like that combination. Since Avon no longer makes the Venom in my size, the next rear tire I buy will be michelin commander II's. I'm also running mixed brands on my FXST.
6500 miles on a 150-80-16 seems way low. Even when I was running stock Dunlops on my bikes I got 12-14K
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