Tire question
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
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From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
I think the choices are between the Metzler (ME880, for me anyway) and the Dunlop American Elite, the elite 3 is for 2008 and earlier.
I'll be buying a front tire soon and I've decided to go with the Metzler, the Dunlop sounds good but it is new on the market and not proven by millions of miles of use like the Metzler. Maybe next time I'll go with the Dunlop American Elite.
I'll be buying a front tire soon and I've decided to go with the Metzler, the Dunlop sounds good but it is new on the market and not proven by millions of miles of use like the Metzler. Maybe next time I'll go with the Dunlop American Elite.
And yes, the E3 has been around enough to have proven itself. I'm on my third pair over the last two bikes.
You can have your Metzlers. They wear fast and they like higher than average air pressure. Both against my preferences.
.
Last edited by Faast Ed; Mar 11, 2011 at 07:49 PM.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
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From: Here
How many miles do you have on your 09? I had an 09 EGC with 13K miles on it and my tires were cupping real bad. The Dealer replaced both tires under warranty. I have a 2010 with stock 408F and 407R Dunlops on it. They are wearing great. I'm going with American Elite when I need tires. What do you use for balancing? I started using Dynabeads. Smooth as silk!!!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 438
Likes: 2
From: Florida
How many miles do you have on your 09? I had an 09 EGC with 13K miles on it and my tires were cupping real bad. The Dealer replaced both tires under warranty. I have a 2010 with stock 408F and 407R Dunlops on it. They are wearing great. I'm going with American Elite when I need tires. What do you use for balancing? I started using Dynabeads. Smooth as silk!!!
The explanation I heard is that the combination of 09 & up new frame geometry, new suspension, and tire construction leads to the cupping on almost all of them. Dunrop's fix was to basically turn them around. If you look at the tread pattern on the newer front ones it is backwards from the way it went on the early 09's.
My softail has Metzeler 880s balanced with Dynabeads. I'm far from an expert on tires, but these work great for me. And the Metzelers STICK. You can feel the difference just pushing it in the garage. I'll trade off some wear for that. BTW I didn't know you could get Metzelers for these newer touring bikes. Their website says they don't have anything that fits. Where did you see Metzelers for your bike?
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Going through independent dealer. Second stock dunlop with 20k. Replaced orig at 3
13k. Second cupping so bad after 5k it sounded like a knobby. Done with selling dealer. Can only be fed so much sh t. They told me they were cuping at 3k because there are more right turns than left turns in md.
13k. Second cupping so bad after 5k it sounded like a knobby. Done with selling dealer. Can only be fed so much sh t. They told me they were cuping at 3k because there are more right turns than left turns in md.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Running American Elites on my 2009 Ultra.. Gives a Better Ride and Handling than the OEM Dunlops .. Metz is also a good choice but happy with the American Elites here ..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,743
Likes: 9,257
From: Snow Hill, NC
If the american elites are like the elite 3 but with more mileage you will love them...mileage....like any tires though make sure your pressure is always in check...Byna beads may help also with the cupping...worked for me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,743
Likes: 9,257
From: Snow Hill, NC
Going through independent dealer. Second stock dunlop with 20k. Replaced orig at 3
13k. Second cupping so bad after 5k it sounded like a knobby. Done with selling dealer. Can only be fed so much sh t. They told me they were cuping at 3k because there are more right turns than left turns in md.
13k. Second cupping so bad after 5k it sounded like a knobby. Done with selling dealer. Can only be fed so much sh t. They told me they were cuping at 3k because there are more right turns than left turns in md.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
For the 09 Ultra, you have the Dunlop American Elite which is an enhanced version of the Elite 3. $152.99 with free shipping from Jake Wilson.
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