ME 880's vs. EIII's
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 5
From: NW NC
ME 880's vs. EIII's
Hate to beat a dead horse but hoped for better mileage out of my EIII rear so hoping someone that has ran both brands can give some feedback regarding tread life and handling of the 2 tires. I had another thread about the EIII wear and someone pointed out that the design of the EIII is not so much tread in the center where as the 880 design appears to have more center tread. I honestly think I can go longer on the tire I have but would surely not go cross country on it.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: NoCal
ME880 doesn't compare. In fact have not had them last longer than a stock dunlop. They are great handling and gripping in corners tire because of a softer compound, but you pay for this softer compound in tire life. When only had 1 bike in the stable I could afford the better gripping ME880 but with the addition of the wife's bike and the Street Glide all being ridden >13k miles per year, I was changing tires more than riding and wth the ME880 at a $10-20 price premium over Dunlops it gets costly.
My experience, based on my riding style, etc
ME880's - 8,000 - 9,000 miles
Stock Dunlops 9,000 - 10,000
E3's - 13,000-14,000
but each rider is different in riding syle, road types, tire air pressure, highway versus twisties etc. thus mileage will be different.
My experience, based on my riding style, etc
ME880's - 8,000 - 9,000 miles
Stock Dunlops 9,000 - 10,000
E3's - 13,000-14,000
but each rider is different in riding syle, road types, tire air pressure, highway versus twisties etc. thus mileage will be different.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
What mileage are you getting and what inflation pressures are you using? You can go down to 1/32" safely, so where are you now?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,730
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From: Snow Hill, NC
I don't see where the ME880 are better gripping that the EIII...The ME880 just wear faster & the smoother part is because of softer compound...I am not saying ME880's are better or worse but the mileage sucks... same as Avon... 5000-6000 miles VS 10000-11000 .. If you only ride 5000 miles a year it doesn't make a flip but if you put 20000 miles a years it means changing 2 VS 4 times....I got 11000 miles out of my EIII but then got a great deal on another brand so i tried... When i run out of these Commanders i will go back to EIII i will then run about 42 PSI in them to see if i get better wear,,,
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I'm going to try shooting 40 psi into the front this time around and see how it wears. I'm also going to even my braking more, as I've been using the front brakes only for routine braking to reduce the stress on the rear tire. Dunlop's max (cold) is 40 psi, so I'm reluctant to go higher.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Well i ran 38 so i think maybe 40-41... Man i have about 20 on my fron and it looks maybe 1/2 worn...I have been through a Elite III, Eleite II, Night Dragon and now on a Commander... on the same EIII front and lloks great... I have adjusted my braking by using the rear a bit more for control....It's a toss up you know.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Well i ran 38 so i think maybe 40-41... Man i have about 20 on my fron and it looks maybe 1/2 worn...I have been through a Elite III, Eleite II, Night Dragon and now on a Commander... on the same EIII front and lloks great... I have adjusted my braking by using the rear a bit more for control....It's a toss up you know.
I'm going to go 40 psi (cold) for front and rear, as well as shift a bit more routine braking to the rear.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 336
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From: Kansas City
I got 8000 miles out of a Metzler and 12000 out of an E3. I've been running 42 lbs in both front and rear tires.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 855
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From: Riverside, Ca.
I was surprised at how quickly the front E3 wore out. I was expecting at least what I learned to expect from a D402 (25k on this bike and >30k on my previous), but didn't get even close to these numbers (18k). The rear tire exceeded my highest expectations, lasting 20k--but I think all this may be partially due to my emphasis on front braking for routine stops. I've evolved in that direction to take the stress off the rear tire, and it has apparently worked. The bad news is the front is now wearing prematurely.
I'm going to go 40 psi (cold) for front and rear, as well as shift a bit more routine braking to the rear.
I'm going to go 40 psi (cold) for front and rear, as well as shift a bit more routine braking to the rear.