new tire options
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
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new tire options
I have a 2012 ultra limited and wanted some input on the next set of tires. my old 98 I went to elite 3 and got 3 or 4 k more miles on the rear I dont like the width of the tires used on the newer bikes handling is not as good but thats life. anyway more milage tire is what im looking for comments??
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
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From: Knoxville, Tn
New Tires
To me, if you want mileage out of tires then it's either Michelin Commander IIs or the Dunlop Elite 3. I had the CIIs on my RGU and they did fine except for the rain. A couple of times on entry ramps to interstates, the back end tried to catch up with the front. Never happened anywhere else but ramps. I had about 9000 miles on them when I traded that bike and there was still plenty of tread left.
Next time I buy tires for a touring bike it will be the Dunlop Elite 3s.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Next time I buy tires for a touring bike it will be the Dunlop Elite 3s.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Last edited by dyna rider; Dec 4, 2016 at 05:58 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 464
Likes: 42
From: NC
I had the Michelin Commander IIs and in the rain on twisty roads they are junk. No grip whatsoever. So glad I picked up a nail and had to replace it. Because I was short on time I had the Harley dealer put the oem Dunlop back on. My next go around I'm going to try Metzeler 888.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
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From: NY
I have a 2012 ultra limited and wanted some input on the next set of tires. my old 98 I went to elite 3 and got 3 or 4 k more miles on the rear I dont like the width of the tires used on the newer bikes handling is not as good but thats life. anyway more milage tire is what im looking for comments??
Mich c's on my 09 flhtcu,currently have 16k miles on them and rear has approx 3,500-4k or legal miles left in it and front has approx 5.500-6k legal miles in it.
They are still riding nice & smooth with no cupping with 16k miles on them ,but i do run Ride-On in the tires that not only keeps them properly balanced thru their entire srv'c life ,it also protects them from up to 1/4" puncture (1/4" tubeless & up to 1/8" with a tube) from a nail & screw etc too.
So the C's should do approx 19,500-20k miles on rear & approx 21,500-22k miles on front before not passing inspection anymore requiring replacement.
But since rear tire is getting down on tread depth for safety sake i may replace it as soon as the new 2017 riding season starts and will likely change the front tire in approx 4k-4,500 miles or so after that.
The junk stock original Dunlops were completely shot ,cupped & noisy as hell @ 9,700-10k miles .
The C2's handle & ride well in dry cond and as far as rain goes unlike others that say they are no that great in wet cond i have had no problem with the C2's or any other tires i have had on my bike in the rain .
And you may ask why is that,well it's " BECAUSE I SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY (NOT JUST 5MPH slower!) IN WET/RAIN COND " along with also being much easier on the throttle when getting up to speed too because HD's trq can get you into trouble quick in wet cond esp when for example getting up to speed on a curved ramp onto an expressway or interstate.
But riding much more conservative in wet cond like i do for safety sake is something the avg bike rider doesnt always do more often then not riding considerably faster then they should especially in rain & or on wet pavement.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; Dec 2, 2016 at 11:31 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 239
From: Minnesota
I think the MC2 is a high mile tire but I noticed it's a harder compound and is stiff in colder climates and doesn't grip as well then. As far as wet traction, I noticed loss of traction on wet tar but it was in 60 degree temps and near the end of tire life.
I switched to Dunlop American Elites and am happy so far. Seems to ride a little smoother and handles well. No wet tests yet. I'm running 21" frt, 16" rear.
I switched to Dunlop American Elites and am happy so far. Seems to ride a little smoother and handles well. No wet tests yet. I'm running 21" frt, 16" rear.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 464
Likes: 42
From: NC
=======================
And you may ask why is that,well it's " BECAUSE I SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY (NOT JUST 5MPH slower!) IN WET/RAIN COND " along with also being much easier on the throttle when getting up to speed too because HD's trq can get you into trouble quick in wet cond esp when for example getting up to speed on a curved ramp onto an expressway or interstate.
But riding much more conservative in wet cond like i do for safety sake is something the avg bike rider doesnt always do more often then not riding considerably faster then they should especially in rain & or on wet pavement.
Scott
And you may ask why is that,well it's " BECAUSE I SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY (NOT JUST 5MPH slower!) IN WET/RAIN COND " along with also being much easier on the throttle when getting up to speed too because HD's trq can get you into trouble quick in wet cond esp when for example getting up to speed on a curved ramp onto an expressway or interstate.
But riding much more conservative in wet cond like i do for safety sake is something the avg bike rider doesnt always do more often then not riding considerably faster then they should especially in rain & or on wet pavement.
Scott
Last August I got to ride the Dragon's Tail with a friend, 311 curves each way, with Dunlops, in the wet... didn't slide, not once.
Last edited by diggerv; Dec 4, 2016 at 12:53 PM.