Looking for some feedback on tires. I am switching to the 21/18 wheels on my 2006 StreetGlide and have the option to go with Avon or Metzeler tires? From experiece of those that have made this change, which is the better option?

Thanks

GKStreetglide

 

I'm running Metzeler 880 Marathons on my 21/18 set-up and have been quite happy with the performance of that tire. I have never tried the Avons so I cannot give you any honest feedback with how their tires perform or last.

 

Metzs on mine. The Metz front is not supposed to "grow" in diameter as much as other brands. Got about 10k out of the rear. Keep in mind the new reinforced Metz with the higher load rating is available now.

 

Let me tell you what i just went through....I put 21 / 18 combo with a 200 metzler combo on my 2010 street glide and rode it to daytona last week (250 miles each way and with the tire pressure at 42 max and at over 60 the back tire was flexing side to side on the rim and giving me a speed wobble that could almost throw me! I had over 6 people at daytona that came up to me and asked if I had the problem also, they put 50 PSI in the tire(42 MAX is what it's supposed to be) and it barely wobbled! SCREW that, I went to PM's booth they took the rim off balanced it said everythings perfect it's the tire, the first time they seen it happen it took them a month to figure out it wasn't their rims but some metzler tires just pop out with thin sidewalls and they flex to much for the heavy bikes. I went to metzler's tent and the rep tried telling me it was my bike and it was out of alignment. He said come with me to the next tent that installs tires and he said to the guy have you ever heard of problems with my tire and wheel set up and the guy laughed and said he sells all brands but wont put metzler's on that bike because he had to many people ride a hundred miles and come back telling him about the speed wobble. The metzler guy got mad and walked off and hid from me. I went to the wheel place I bought them from(just happend to be in Ormand beach and they said they have seen the problem before and I could go to a 180 and pump the tire up or swith to Avons. They are sending me new tires that aren't Metzlers right now. DON"T BUY METZLERS for a touring bike it's a crap shoot if you get a thick side wall!

 

Oh yeah my tires are the new reinforced marathon ME880 with the higher ratings! And NavyPT and DuraGlide is your rear tire a 180/55/18 or a 200/50ZR18. My rear tire is a 200 and it's from the German factory not the Brazil factory. You can look at the side wall and it gives you all this info......I would have thought that the German factory would have put out a better product!

 

my 06 has metz 160 60 18 , so far so good.

 

I have had no problem with the Metzlers on my second set get about 10 k on the back and have 20k on the front!!!! it is still going to go for a littl while too! I am happy with them corner real noce and I ride two up loaded most of the time. As always to each his own

 

Sickbagger you have a smaller rim and tire setup than the new bikes so your tires are drasticaly different. Great looking bike. I'm really telling the guys with 18x5.5 rims don't go with a 200 Metzler. I couldn't find one person that has had a problem with the 200 Avon....and I spent the week talking to tire installers dealers and riders that own them. The 180 rear in the Metzler they say will be better but the side wall is still flimzy.

 

Also my buddys Metzler 180/50/18 flex's in the corners and wiggles slightly.

 

I'm replacing the front stock Dunlop on my 06 Road Kind (20k mi) The size of the Dunlop is MT 90H 16. The Metzler that I ordered from Motercycle Super Store is a MT 90 HB 16. What is the differeence between the H on the Dunlop and the HB on the Metzler/ What does it mean. Thanks