Best tires for a sporty
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Tourer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 461
Likes: 14
From: NJ
Best tires for a sporty
I'm buying new wheels for my Iron and trying to decide what tires to get. Originally decided on Metzeler ME888's but reading they may be better suited for heavier bikes. Considering the ME888's, Michelin Commander II's, Avon Cobras or Cobra Chromes, Dunlop D401's. I mainly just cruise around town, not really going on many long mileage rides and mostly in dry weather but obviously want to be prepared if I get stuck in the rain
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,837
Likes: 1,430
From: NJ
I had Commander IIs and they were fine. Never any issue in any condition. I think I got 13K out of them which is 3k more than I should have gone.
I just went with the ME888s. They not as soft as the Commander II so they'll last longer but still soft enough for plenty grip. I hear they're better in wet and they were a bit cheaper than the IIs.
The boys at Indian Larry put ME888's on their 100k chopper builds so if it's good enough for them, I figure they're good enough for me.
I'm happy with them so far.
Another thing that swayed me to the ME888's over the IIs is that it's a pain in the butt and expensive to have tires mounted and balanced. I want to get more mileage between changes.
I just went with the ME888s. They not as soft as the Commander II so they'll last longer but still soft enough for plenty grip. I hear they're better in wet and they were a bit cheaper than the IIs.
The boys at Indian Larry put ME888's on their 100k chopper builds so if it's good enough for them, I figure they're good enough for me.
I'm happy with them so far.
Another thing that swayed me to the ME888's over the IIs is that it's a pain in the butt and expensive to have tires mounted and balanced. I want to get more mileage between changes.
A similar question was asked on Sportster Sickness UK and the general consensus was that Cobra Chromes are the best tyres for a Sportster . And that's what I'm running although mine have seen much better days. I'll definitely be replacing them with another set in the spring .
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 592
From: Philly PA
I'm buying new wheels for my Iron and trying to decide what tires to get. Originally decided on Metzeler ME888's but reading they may be better suited for heavier bikes. Considering the ME888's, Michelin Commander II's, Avon Cobras or Cobra Chromes, Dunlop D401's. I mainly just cruise around town, not really going on many long mileage rides and mostly in dry weather but obviously want to be prepared if I get stuck in the rain
No one tire will be the best in all of these situations
I fall into the category of high miles so long life is important to me. I've run the ME880's, ME888's, Michelin Commander II's, and now the Dunlop American Elites. I wasn't a fan of the ME888's, cannot say why really, but the others were fine for my use. Some complain about the Commander II's breaking loose but I have never had that issue and I ride in the rain quite a bit. The only reason I am switching from them to the American Elites is because my Indy hates mounting the Commander IIs because he has trouble seating the beads on Sporties and because others had gotten more miles out of the American Elites. I have 8,000 miles or so on my rear tire and it still has plenty of tread
For shorter riding (as in miles per year) I've seen good things posted about some of the Avons and Pirelli's. They are from what I understand a softer tire and have more grip. The downside is they will not last as long which is why I don't run them.
My suggestion to the OP is ask questions of those that post regarding their riding style and include that info when considering what tires to purchase
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 253
From: Northern Los Angeles area.
The problem with a question such as this is the responses are very subjective. There are many use cases for riders, some like twisties, some like long distance riding, some do 1,000 miles a year (or less), some do 30,000 miles a year (or more) ...
Last edited by lewk; Oct 18, 2019 at 12:26 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 340
Likes: 125
From: Nashville
I really like my Michelin Commander II's.
I'm on my second set got about 10k from my first set.
I'm on my second set got about 10k from my first set.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 180
Likes: 54
From: California
The problem with a question such as this is the responses are very subjective. There are many use cases for riders, some like twisties, some like long distance riding, some do 1,000 miles a year (or less), some do 30,000 miles a year (or more)
No one tire will be the best in all of these situations
I fall into the category of high miles so long life is important to me. I've run the ME880's, ME888's, Michelin Commander II's, and now the Dunlop American Elites. I wasn't a fan of the ME888's, cannot say why really, but the others were fine for my use. Some complain about the Commander II's breaking loose but I have never had that issue and I ride in the rain quite a bit. The only reason I am switching from them to the American Elites is because my Indy hates mounting the Commander IIs because he has trouble seating the beads on Sporties and because others had gotten more miles out of the American Elites. I have 8,000 miles or so on my rear tire and it still has plenty of tread
For shorter riding (as in miles per year) I've seen good things posted about some of the Avons and Pirelli's. They are from what I understand a softer tire and have more grip. The downside is they will not last as long which is why I don't run them.
My suggestion to the OP is ask questions of those that post regarding their riding style and include that info when considering what tires to purchase
No one tire will be the best in all of these situations
I fall into the category of high miles so long life is important to me. I've run the ME880's, ME888's, Michelin Commander II's, and now the Dunlop American Elites. I wasn't a fan of the ME888's, cannot say why really, but the others were fine for my use. Some complain about the Commander II's breaking loose but I have never had that issue and I ride in the rain quite a bit. The only reason I am switching from them to the American Elites is because my Indy hates mounting the Commander IIs because he has trouble seating the beads on Sporties and because others had gotten more miles out of the American Elites. I have 8,000 miles or so on my rear tire and it still has plenty of tread
For shorter riding (as in miles per year) I've seen good things posted about some of the Avons and Pirelli's. They are from what I understand a softer tire and have more grip. The downside is they will not last as long which is why I don't run them.
My suggestion to the OP is ask questions of those that post regarding their riding style and include that info when considering what tires to purchase
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There is no ultimate best. There's best... for you and how you ride, your standards, your style.
Searching for the "Best" anything is mission that failed at it's inception.
"Best for you" that's the ticket... engenders a whole different set of questions, doesn't?
Searching for the "Best" anything is mission that failed at it's inception.
"Best for you" that's the ticket... engenders a whole different set of questions, doesn't?
Last edited by cvaria; Oct 23, 2019 at 08:48 AM.
