best tires
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
Go with round black ones. As Dan above said,,..
It would help if you gave some parameters:
- what bike?
- riding style
- do you ride in rain
- price range
- how important is grip, handling, life...
It would help if you gave some parameters:
- what bike?
- riding style
- do you ride in rain
- price range
- how important is grip, handling, life...
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 1,696
From: memphis
look, first sorry new to here. thought it was a header for searching the website database. second I know y'all have a lot of info as do I. been riding for 50 years. just TRYING to get some up to date info. I have a 2010 road king, rear 180 by 16 tire is a Dunlop. want a smoother better ride. donr care if it cuts down on mileage at the end of the tires life. willing to go to a tire that gfets 12k miles or so versus a tire that gets 20k miles. also need one that sticks and runs gr8 in the rain.i ride a lot so get int o rain a lot. tend to be leaning towards a avon chrome. anyone have tehse? do work well in twisties and rain, do they las reaaasonably well?? any type of recurring problems with them? how bout Pirelli [ never had them at all] maybe long time ago on metric. all HELP, is appreciated!! thanks very much !!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I have run Metzler on my Sporties and liked the way the rode, handled, and did well in rain. Mileage wasn't great... about 12k on rear and about double on the front. Got this 2013 Street Glide and got about 18k on rear and about 24k on front. Replaced both with Dunlop American Elites.... like the way the handle both the road and the rain. I will keep replacing with these. Plus I use RideOn for balancing and semi puncture protection.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 1,696
From: memphis
thank you! I hear a lot of good things about the elites. which surprises me. I haven't given them[ Dunlop] much thought in the past as far as quality, ability to stick to the road, running in different weather situations other than ideal. just figured that they were engineered for h.d.and done so as cheaply as possible, per the contract conditions with Harley Davidson. in other words they'll suffice, but not exceed ones expectations.like metz or avon,or even Pirelli? all begin' to hear some decent info on conti tires. I understand they re parent group of metzler????? not sure. Michelin wear long, but I don't believe they grip like metz., avon, Pirelli.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 46
Likes: 15
From: Illinois
I run a radial rear. Your bike uses a 180/65 as mine does. You can get radials in 60 or 70 aspect ratio, not 65. I prefer 70 as it is apparently 5/16 inch taller. This gives a little more grownd clearance and will also correct the speedometer error. Obviously the 60 aspect ratio will be 5/16" shorter, and make the speedometer error a tad worse. There is no problem with bias ply on the front, and radial on rear as several bikes ( Harley's) come from the factory with that set up. Also the slight change in height does NOT throw an ABS code. The weight rating is slightly less on radials but still at 900lbs. You can't possibly put that much weight on the rear of your bike without being over the gross weight rating for the bike anyway. These tires are Honda Goldwing tires. Also 900 lb touring bikes but with much more rear wheel HP. In the 70 size I like the Shinko Journey 180/70-16R. They are great in the rain, no problem on tar snakes, and I get about 15,000 miles on the rear. Any brand in the 60 size will be fine. Just one last note, I personally don't care for dual compound tires. They are fine when new but get noisey and handle poorly in turns when they get worn down. Just my opinion
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,580
Likes: 215
From: Illinois
buddy just put a Shinko 777 on his softail. WAY stickier than stock Dunlop and only set him back $98! Probably will go that route for my front and rear when time comes. Hear great things about Shinkos and prices are great.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
Love these tires , I put a set on this spring and so far I've got close to 7000km on them , and they still look brand new . I ridden through everything but snow and they handle extremely well , even in a hard downpour . Only time will tell just how long they will last , so far so good .
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
Im just finishing my first season using pirellis. Tires stick like glue, no issues in rain, don't track tar snakes and have held up reasonably well. I have 14k on the rear, looks like it might go 16 or better.
Will replace beginning of next season.
They require more pressure than stock dunlops. Mine are at sidewall recommendation of 50 psi cold.
Will replace beginning of next season.
They require more pressure than stock dunlops. Mine are at sidewall recommendation of 50 psi cold.