Hi fellas. Help an old dude out here will ya?
The old lady finally let me get another bike and I'm just loving it. I picked up an 03 1200 custom this winter for a song. It had been sitting awhile so I spent the winter and spring tearing this thing apart, cleaning it up, replacing stuff etc. New brakes, new tires, plugs, wires, got it all tuned up and running great. I rode the thing home and a few times before dropping any coin on it so I'd be sure it was a keeper. It is!

Took it out today for about a 100 mile ride and it was a bit disconcerting to say the least. I put a set of Metzeler 880's on it and noticed a difference right away. The back of the bike sits up a bit higher then it did with the original stock Dunlops. Nope didn't change the stock shocks or the preload. So took it for a ride and noticed the rear tire feels like it's slipping out a bit on curves. Stock tire sizes 130/90/16 rear and MH90/21 on the front as per the Metzeler website. Cold tire pressures are 48 rear and 38 front with max pressure on the tires being 50 & 40 respectively. No shakes, no wobbles, tracks smooth and straight. Just slips on curves. Not twisties but just nice easy highway curves. 50 was as fast as I felt comfortable. The old original dryrotting tires handled better and I ran the same curves on those at 65-70 easy.

Any ideas? With all the great reviews of the Metzelers I'm shocked to say the least.

Thanks.

 

Aren't they considered "RAW" in the beginning? HD told me to take it easy for a while when I put my Pirelli's on. I would think 100 miles is enough to make it grab good, though....

 

After the stock tire on my bagger I put on an Avon venom,After that I tried the metzler 880, Now I'm runnin an E3. long story short I will never put a metzler on another bike!!!!!!! Avons stuck like glue. I would slide the Metzlers on the corners. Not a good feeling. Happy for the guys that like them but I think they SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thats weird I havent noticed any slipping with the 880 I love it running 42 psi rear

 

The Metzler recommended pressure for that tire on your Sporty is 44 solo & 50 2up. I'd give it another try at the lower psi.

 

A buddy of mine has an Indy shop. He worked for HD for 21 years and had enough, runs his own now.

This dude know his $hit and he told me we would be replacing my tires with what came stock on my Iron. He says 2 back tires and one front should get you 15-17k ( give or take depending on riding style).

 

Are you sure its not 43½ and 49½? Just saying.







.

 

Give em a few miles to get scrubbed in...should stick better after 50-100 miles...I would drop the psi a bit too.

Kevin

 

I only use 48psi in the rear tyre of my dresser when we are 2-up and loaded for touring - around 1200 pounds ready to roll! That cannot be right for a Sporty, surely? If pressures are too high your bike will certainly slide. I have also read that not all Metzelers are created equal. Seems they are made in at least two different countries, with different riding feel, although I'm not sure how true that is.

 

All new bike tires need to be scrubbed in before you start pushing them hard. Give them some time and see if they get better. I always run the stock Dunlops on my bikes and never have an issue-even when new and they seem to last good too.