new tires 03 Road King
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From:
new tires 03 Road King
getting ready to buy some new rubber...thinking of changing to metzelers...who has made this change ? would you do it again, or would you have stayed with the dunolps ? Also what size metzelers did you put on the front and rear ? Thanks for any info.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 681
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
RE: new tires 03 Road King
Went with the standered metzeler stage 1 upgrade 130/90-16 ME880 FRONT 140/90-16 Rear. much better ride than the dunlops no modification needed. for more info go to the metzler site http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/tyres...fitment.action
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
RE: new tires 03 Road King
This may not be helpful to you, but personally I prefer the stickier tread Dunlop over the longer mileage Metzeler. A Pingel Disc ($ 35.00) will allow the '04-and-newer 140 mm tire to be run with no mods. Much more stable than the 130, but every bit as sticky.
Administrator Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,704
Likes: 252
From: Walker Basin, CA
RE: new tires 03 Road King
The Dunlop D402 is the only tire with the load range required to load your RK to max. If you are not carrying much in the way of a passenger or baggage, watch the the load range rating to make sure the tire you are buying will carry the load.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From:
RE: new tires 03 Road King
Thanks for the info.....I always ride solo, so i dont think the lower load rating will affect me. Does anyone know what the load difference between the dulop and metzler is ?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
RE: new tires 03 Road King
Having had Dunlops, Metzlers and Avons on various bikes....They all provide very good grip and decent mileage but it comes down to personal choice for each rider.
My last set on my 98 FLHT, I switched over to the Dunlop Elite 3 tires, originally designed for a Goldwing. I will say that so far, these were the best tires for me. The handling was as good as Metzlers or Avons and the mileage was better than Dunlops 402s. Some Goldwing guys have reported over 13,000 miles on the rear. I sold the 98 before I could get close to that so I dont know what the final would have been.
Currently the rear only comes in a MU/90-16 or 140/90-16 which is slightly taller ( slightly reduces rpms) than a 140/85-16 D402.
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire...tire.asp?id=86
Reno
www.FastAire.com
My last set on my 98 FLHT, I switched over to the Dunlop Elite 3 tires, originally designed for a Goldwing. I will say that so far, these were the best tires for me. The handling was as good as Metzlers or Avons and the mileage was better than Dunlops 402s. Some Goldwing guys have reported over 13,000 miles on the rear. I sold the 98 before I could get close to that so I dont know what the final would have been.
Currently the rear only comes in a MU/90-16 or 140/90-16 which is slightly taller ( slightly reduces rpms) than a 140/85-16 D402.
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire...tire.asp?id=86
Reno
www.FastAire.com
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From:
RE: new tires 03 Road King
I have run the Dunlops, Avons and currently have the Metzlers on my 02 Ultra. (RK on steroids?)
I describe the handling characteristics of the tires as follows.
Dunlops: Press the bike into a turn and you have to continue to press to hold the turn. Release any pressure and they want to straighten up. Nice and stable for straight road riding, rough in the twisties.
Avons: Press the bike into a turn and then reverse the pressure of the press to keep the turn from getting tighter. Unstable in straight road riding and a bit "quirky" in the twisties.
Metzlers: Press the bike into a turn and it stays where you press it. Stable in straight road riding and predictable in all cornering, high and low speed. Seem to take less notice of tar snakes, etc.
Overall wear and stickyness seems to be pretty close on all of them.
My money will be buying Metzlers from now on.
I describe the handling characteristics of the tires as follows.
Dunlops: Press the bike into a turn and you have to continue to press to hold the turn. Release any pressure and they want to straighten up. Nice and stable for straight road riding, rough in the twisties.
Avons: Press the bike into a turn and then reverse the pressure of the press to keep the turn from getting tighter. Unstable in straight road riding and a bit "quirky" in the twisties.
Metzlers: Press the bike into a turn and it stays where you press it. Stable in straight road riding and predictable in all cornering, high and low speed. Seem to take less notice of tar snakes, etc.
Overall wear and stickyness seems to be pretty close on all of them.
My money will be buying Metzlers from now on.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Texas!!
RE: new tires 03 Road King
ORIGINAL: Grover
The Dunlop D402 is the only tire with the load range required to load your RK to max. If you are not carrying much in the way of a passenger or baggage, watch the the load range rating to make sure the tire you are buying will carry the load.
The Dunlop D402 is the only tire with the load range required to load your RK to max. If you are not carrying much in the way of a passenger or baggage, watch the the load range rating to make sure the tire you are buying will carry the load.
Metzler makes a rear with the 77 load rating, but they only have fronts with a 67 rating, rather than the stock 71.
http://www.conti-online.com/generato...k16_17_en.html
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcyc...showspecs&id=1
http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/en_85...ductid%3D16143
Motorcycle load rating explained here:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc.../tire-data.htm
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
RE: new tires 03 Road King
Another rider using the Pigel spacer! Can be found here:
http://www.pingelonline.com/rear_sprocket_spacer.htm
I have been using the spacer for most of the 06 season with the newer 140mm rear tire and really love the combo. Just like “Firetender” said “…Much more stable than the 130, but every bit as sticky. “
Little Arlen
http://www.pingelonline.com/rear_sprocket_spacer.htm
I have been using the spacer for most of the 06 season with the newer 140mm rear tire and really love the combo. Just like “Firetender” said “…Much more stable than the 130, but every bit as sticky. “
Little Arlen
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
