Which tires should I buy this time?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 385
Likes: 13
From: longtown
RE: Which tires should I buy this time?
im currently running a 150 dunlop on the rear of my 06 ultra.its pretty close to the belt guard tho.although i havent had any problems.i ride solo most of the time.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 0
From: NH
RE: Which tires should I buy this time?
I had new front and rear stock dunlops put on yesterday, I got 7200 miles on the rear,still had some tread,could have gone longer on it,but feel more comfortable with replacing it. I did find it odd that the dealer asked if i wanted a wider tire on the rear,they said the 04' s came with a narrow rear tire,and that some were set up to take the wider tire that was put on the 05's. mine was set up to take a wider tire and i have to say this,sure is noticable compared to the tire that came off. this one fills the rear fender alot more and seems to handle better as well.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Which tires should I buy this time?
Metzler is owned by Pirelli now and should share similar tech. Michelin introduced a silica compound tire about 4-5 years ago and it is much better in rain and has better life. I believe the other Euro brands may have something similar now but look first at Michelin. If in doubt about compounds ask someone in the metric shops what tires are being used on the sport touring machines like the FJR1300, ST1300 and the BMW models. The tires fitted to these bikes have a balance of long life and good manners in extreme conditions of cornering, braking and accelerating. Also working in the rain. The only problem is finding the sizes to fit Harley. One of the reasons Harley changed the size of the rear tires is to have access to more advanced tire tech. Tire companies don't make extreme performance tires for wimpy wheels.
If you can't get the latest in design the Metzeler 880 and Lazer (front) are good tires. The Lazer front tread pattern is very good at ignoring pavement grooves.
All of the manufacturers make good tires now but I'm not too confident on the OEM Dunlops. They have the same tread pattern from when I was in diapers and that doesn't inspire confidence. The last time I rode on them I was terrified when in the rain. I always wondered why H-D riders always sat out the rain inder the bridges. Exceptions are the Dunlop D205 and D220. Again, sizes may be limited.
Best prices I've found are Southwest Moto Tire. Buy two and shipping is free.
If you can't get the latest in design the Metzeler 880 and Lazer (front) are good tires. The Lazer front tread pattern is very good at ignoring pavement grooves.
All of the manufacturers make good tires now but I'm not too confident on the OEM Dunlops. They have the same tread pattern from when I was in diapers and that doesn't inspire confidence. The last time I rode on them I was terrified when in the rain. I always wondered why H-D riders always sat out the rain inder the bridges. Exceptions are the Dunlop D205 and D220. Again, sizes may be limited.
Best prices I've found are Southwest Moto Tire. Buy two and shipping is free.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 23
From: AZ
RE: Which tires should I buy this time?
Michelin just had a large motorcycle tire recall, Just on a few brands and Michelin
stepped up to the plate and said they knew they had to take care of this right away
to build the confidence of the motorcycle industry.. I wander if the new contract with
Harley had anything to do with their statement.
Saint
stepped up to the plate and said they knew they had to take care of this right away
to build the confidence of the motorcycle industry.. I wander if the new contract with
Harley had anything to do with their statement.
Saint
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
RE: Which tires should I buy this time?
Metzeler 880's. Perform way better than Dunlop. I changed just the rear tire first when worn and liked it so much I didn't wait for the front to wear, but changed it with only 11,000 miles the following week.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 18
From:
RE: Which tires should I buy this time?
My '07 SERK came with Elite3's, so they are not just for Goldwings. Put 10K on and had to replace the back tire. I replaced it with an elite3. Front still good. Always ran Metzlers on past bikes and really liked thee way they handled, especially on groved pavement.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
RE: Which tires should I buy this time?
Presently running the Avon Venom-X on my FLHT.
Huge improvement over the stock Dunlops.
These Avons seem to stick very well in the turns.
Being a softer compound, they won't wear as well as
the Metzlers, but so far, all is well.
Huge improvement over the stock Dunlops.
These Avons seem to stick very well in the turns.
Being a softer compound, they won't wear as well as
the Metzlers, but so far, all is well.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
RE: Which tires should I buy this time?
ORIGINAL: st john
Michelin just had a large motorcycle tire recall, Just on a few brands and Michelin
stepped up to the plate and said they knew they had to take care of this right away
to build the confidence of the motorcycle industry.. I wander if the new contract with
Harley had anything to do with their statement.
Saint
Michelin just had a large motorcycle tire recall, Just on a few brands and Michelin
stepped up to the plate and said they knew they had to take care of this right away
to build the confidence of the motorcycle industry.. I wander if the new contract with
Harley had anything to do with their statement.
Saint
They'll never get a dime of my money and I'd have them taken off before I bought a new bike with them on it...