Greetings!

I'm in the process of replacing my tires for the first time, and I was hoping I could beg advice from folks, especially those who have the same model/year V-Rod.

I have a 2004 V-Rod with factory tires. I "inherited" the bike from my father when he was unable to continue riding, and after putting a few thousand miles on it myself, it's time to replace the tires.

I had a friend from the local H.O.G. chapter take a look at my tires tonight because I was slipping really bad on curves at an event last weekend, even at low speeds, and he advised me that the rubber was much harder than it should be (likely due to age) and was beginning to crumble (crack in his words).

My father hadn't put many miles on the bike, and as is, I'm up to about 7500 total on the odometer. Although the tires have a small amount of "wear" left to them, due to the slipping issue I'm going to go ahead and replace them now.

So, those of you who have experience with V-Rods, I'd really appreciate any advice towards replacement tires you could offer. As is, I'm leaning towards Dunlop Elite 3's, but the friend who recommended this also mentioned it'd be in my best interest to ask for advice online since he doesn't have a V-Rod.

Thanks in advance to any advice you can offer.

Tom W

 

Metzler ME880. You won't get as many miles as the Dunlops... But you'll have better performance.

 

Biker Bill is right, I run the O.E. Dunlop up front and the Metzeler ME880 200 in the back. I have found that this combination gives the best wet weather performance vs. tire life. They do not match however, so if I were to pick only one brand for both I would go with the Metzelers. It's not as though the Metzelers do not perform well enough.

 

Thanks for the good info, folks.

Feel free to offer any more opinions for the rest of the day--I'll probobly make my decision tonight after work.

I did, however, do a quick search for other reviews on the Metzler ME880's you were suggesting and I'm seeing nothing but good reviews.

Thanks,
Tom

 

I have about 5000 miles on my Metz 180's....seems like I might need some new ones, is that about average?? Or maybe I do too many burnouts??

 

I think that may be a little too much tire spin violet. I got 7200 out of the Dunlop I had on first and thought that was rather poor, as my Brother got 10,500 or so out of his first rear on an Ultra (less power but more weight)

The guy that owns the motorcycle shop here said that tires won't wear out from miles as fast as they'll wear out from hard acceleration or burnouts. That's the problem with the V-Rod---too easy to twist the throttle too much.

 

I got 12000 miles from my original fitment Dunlops in fact it was only because a 2 inch woodscrew punctured the rear tyre I would have got another 2000 miles out of it.
I replaced both tyres with Metzeler 880 Marathons and they do not seem anywhere near as hard wearing but give very good wet weather grip which is a must here in North West England.

 

I have 15000 miles on my stock Dunloprear tire so I alerady bought my 2nd tire, a Dunlop .
I had a bad front tire, I change it to Met me880. I think metzlers are softer,
I buy my tire from,
http://www.americanmototire.com/