I need tires and a little help deciding
 

We haven't had a "whats best" tire thread for a while and since I need new tires now is a good time to revisit. Before you say it; yes I have read lots of old threads and posts.

I wanted the E-3's but according to Dunlop they do not make an E-3 that is recommended for my bike, an 04 FLHRSI. Therefore I need to rethink everything. I am basically a conservative rider except from the start and most riding is done solo. Rain groves, oil slicks and crappy Jersey/PA roads are no place for a 2nd rate tire. When the wife rides with me I want to know that I've got the best tire under us. Michelin's Conti's, Metz's etc, etc.

Right now I am torn between the Conti Milestone and the Michelin Commander.

What say you?

I highly recommend Avon Cobra's. Excellent wet and dry traction. You will not believe how much better your bike handles

I had the Michelins,did not like them.Wore out too fast.So far I like the Metz.Just be sure to get the ones for touring.

I usually run Continentals,they seem to be softer and grip Wisconsins seasonal roadways good however I do not get the endurance of some of the others,

That is interesting as for a truck tire especially, the Michelin LTX/MS tire is in my opinion the best all around tire you can get for a truck/SUV. I have gotten 80K + out of them. Can't understand why they do not make a better bike tire.

i got 12k out of my stock rear. so when it was time i just got the same. i dont ride super aggresive but i do open it up sometimes. just make sure your pressure is always correct and your good to go. now if your looking for different performance/ride/feel then i don't know but i think every 12k miles is pretty damn good.

Metzler me880. good grip wet/dry/highway and my last set got 13k on the rear.

I've got 13k on both front and rear and they are still OK but I want something that handles the rain grooves, steel bridges and rough roads better.

I run Metz 880s on my Night Train. I only got about 8,000 miles out of my first rear, I'm hoping to go over 10k with the new one (but I don't see it happening). That said, the phenomenal grip on both wet & dry pavement, not to mention when it gets cold (like in the high teens and 20s) makes up for the short life.

If I couldn't do E3s on my bike, I would have gotten the Metzler 880s. Very highly regarded tire as well.

I am trying Pirelli Night Dragon so far.

* Help eliminate some of the tail end wallow

* Sticks way beyond my Street Glides ability to inclinate.

* Very Very Good so far.

metz 880 here maybe not longest lasting but I sure like the ride

According to Dunlop, they don't have Elite 3's to fit mine either, but I used them anyway. MU90 on the back and MT90 on the front. They fit fine. you will like them. Search the threads, a lot of people used the same set up.

dunlop will not recommend the e-3 for any harley just got to figure out what size ya need and go for it.

The E3's are on mine as well. They are a great choice.

I got E3's here and as Mastery stated..

I liked the Metz's 880 tires until it got cold out, They sliped going around corners when cold. Next tire will be Avon Venoms. I never could understand why people bought bike tires only for milage. To me handling is more importain than milage.

I've run Avon and Metzlers. Just put on a set of Pierreli Night Dragons and so far, absolutely fantastic!

E3's
 

Badbagger....I recommend the Elite 3's.....Great tires!!!!!!!! I put them on my bike and their is no comparison to the stockers!
Sharknu

I got great mileage 23000+ out of the original Dunlop but have about 2000 miles on an Avon Venom. These tires really stick to the rode in all conditions that said it is still to early to determine how may miles they will go but like anything else there is always a trade off---for really sticky tires they usually won't last as long so we will see.

Tim

Tires
 

Always ran metz 880's before I had the stock dunlops on my RG. IMO the best tire out there. I'm due to change this year and was considering the elite 3's ahead of the metz - that was before i read about the Pirellis. Ran lots of these tires on cars - always considered them the best so may go with the dragons

Agree completely! I have used Avons most of the time since my first Harley in the 70s. Use Venoms on my Glide, MU rear (they do both 140 and 150 in MU, I have just fitted their 150) and MT 130 front. Check Avon's website for pressures, as they are usually a little higher than for Dunlops.

I found this article about the Pirelli's after reading some of the comments, nice read.

http://www.motorcycle.com/products/p...iew-76648.html

After the OEM's, I went with Metzler 880's....because the local indy, didn't get the front tire in, when I asked him.
I switched to Elite 3's, and have been very pleased with them.

Which tire is better??? that's like asking which seat, ot which oil..... YOU have to go with what works for your riding. there is nothing wrong with the OEM tires...

Agrees
 

What He Said... :icon_beerchug:

was doing ok with 880's, but my last set cupped on me. went with avon venoms and they are the real deal. loved them. want to try the e3's, but need WWW - not sure if they make them yet. just havent looked.

tin

put the pirelli night dragons on and so far so good seem like a well made tire with good grip

+1.

I was much more interested in sticker/sportier tires when I rode a bike that could use them.

I love my 09RKPolice but when I lean it over, I hit hard parts long before I hit the outer limits of the tire.

I wanted the E-3's but according to Dunlop they do not make an E-3 that is recommended for my bike, an 04 FLHRSI.

What say you?[/QUOTE]

Well I think you were misinformed, unless I am missing something special about your bike. I have them on my '99 FLHR and one of my friends has them on his '03 FLHRC and another has them on his '04 RG.

Here are the sizes:
MT90B-16 (72H) Dunlop Elite 3 Bias-Ply Touring Front
MU90B-16 (78H) Dunlop Elite 3 Bias-Ply Touring Rear

www.jakewilson.com $209 shipped to my door in three days last summer (with promo code)

Love, love, love E3's.

Great wear and handling wet or dry and not road grove tracking! :icon_goofygrin:

There is a lot more to a tyre! Top quality tyres ride smoother and give excellent grip in all circumstances, are not as badly affected by ruts and bumps and are also kinder on your passenger. A Glide can use better tyres than stock ones, be sure!

Have to say this,in all my years and riding my bikes to their limits,cornering to the point of wearing off a lot of metal (floor boards,mufflers,kick stands) most all tires available will work just fine.

Dumbflop doesn't recomend E3's for a Harley because they were made for Gold Wings, and in fact are the OEM tire for them. The MOCO must certify a tire before one of the tire makers will recomend them so Harley doesn't do it because they want us to pay extra for the HD branding on the sidewall. Having said that, Get the size your bike uses and an equal or higher load rating and have at it! E3's ME880's Contis, Bridgestones, Perelli, and Michelin ALL make tires that will fit and perform like they should! Just because the MOCO doesn't bless them doesn't mean they aren't as good or better than what HD certifies.

Well I think you were misinformed, unless I am missing something special about your bike. I have them on my '99 FLHR and one of my friends has them on his '03 FLHRC and another has them on his '04 RG.

Here are the sizes:
MT90B-16 (72H) Dunlop Elite 3 Bias-Ply Touring Front
MU90B-16 (78H) Dunlop Elite 3 Bias-Ply Touring Rear

www.jakewilson.com $209 shipped to my door in three days last summer (with promo code)

Love, love, love E3's.

Great wear and handling wet or dry and not road grove tracking! :icon_goofygrin:[/QUOTE]

I asked Dunlop again today and got an email response that said they do not make the exact replacement rear tire which on my bike is a MU85-B16. I don't know what the difference is between an MU85 and an MU90 but I'm gonna find out.
Anyone know?

What tires
 

You might want to check with another source as far as the E3's go. I had an 04 FLHRCI, stock was MU85B16 on the rear, and replaced with MU90HB16 Elite 3. Works fine. Just bought the same E-3 for my 08 Ultra Classic. It is by far the best tire I have purchased. Had 52,000 miles on my 04 road king and tried the OEM tires, Avon and metzler, non compared to the E3

I personally like the Avon Venoms, and they way they corner and smooth on the highway, but that's JMO.

Went to the dealer today to question him on the E-3 tires and he wasn't terribly familiar with them or the sizes but did say the MU90 will be wider than the MU85 (rear). He suggested that if there is a clearance issue that they would trim the belt guard as long as it didn't interfere with the belt itself. He mostly sells OEM Dunlop 402's and then Metz 880's.
Right now I am torn between the E-3's (if I can get them to fit), the Commander's or a toss-up between the Conti Milestone's and ME-880's. All seem to have good qualities but none seem to have all.

+4 on the Pirelli Night Dragon. After 2500 miles I couldn't be happier with the handling, stopping, and all around performance wet or dry. I just wish it would warm up so I could wear them out! (7 degrees outside without the wind chill right now, crap!)

No problem with clearance. I have the "MU90B-16 (78H) Dunlop Elite 3 Bias-Ply Touring Rear" on the rear of my '99 RK. And the '9 was designed for a narrower tire then your bike.

What I was told was that the 90 was not wider then the 85, however the sidewall was a little taller or wider.

It will fit, no trimming necessary.:icon_beerchug: