Metzler ME888 question
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 120
Likes: 2
From: Jeffersonville, IN
Metzler ME888 question
I have a 2011 FXDC with custom wheels. The rear tire is a 180/55-ZR18. I wanted to purchase a Michelin Commander but it only comes in a bias ply for that size.
My next choice is the Metzler ME888 which comes in both bias and radial. I was told the Metzler ME888 was put on the market to compete with the Michelin Commander. Has anyone ever used one, and if so, what are your thought about it? Is it worth the extra money?
I found a Bridgestone Excedra for about $80 less but I read a review that the mileage life wasn't as good as expected.
Thanks,
My next choice is the Metzler ME888 which comes in both bias and radial. I was told the Metzler ME888 was put on the market to compete with the Michelin Commander. Has anyone ever used one, and if so, what are your thought about it? Is it worth the extra money?
I found a Bridgestone Excedra for about $80 less but I read a review that the mileage life wasn't as good as expected.
Thanks,
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I have had a set of Metzlers on my 09 Roadglide and I loved them also. Can't really tell ya the lifespan cause I didn't have it long enough to see, traded it up for my 13 that I have now. But I did like th etires for sure.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 24
From: Anna, Tx
I had the 888 put on front and rear just over a year ago. 7000 miles so far and they still have plenty of tread on them. I haven't measured recently, but I would guess about 1/2 the original tread depth.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 120
Likes: 2
From: Jeffersonville, IN
Well, I have a situation on this. I took some custom chrome mags from another bike I purchased just to get the wheels. It has Pirelli Night Dragons on it. I was unsure of the tires it has on it and their age so I was checking out the Michelin Commander II.
The wheels have 180/55R-18 (rear) and MH90-21 (front). The Commander II tires are not available in the size to replace these but the ME888 tires are and I was considering trying them.
I just checked the existing Night Dragon tires and they were manufactured 3 years and 4 months ago, which I would consider very good. The front tire looks like new and the rear looks to be evenly worn at about 70%.
I was ready to purchase two new tires through jakewilson for $292 and get the $88 rebate but since I found the age of the tires are not that old it is going to be very hard to justify the new tires.
My concern was that I want to make the annual Thunder Run to DC this year and it is about a 2200 mile round trip and I don't know how well the Night Dragons will wear. I certainly don't want to get that far away and find I have to replace the tire on the rear while on the road. Being on the road limits your options and prices paid for tires, especially since I always mount and balance my own. Not to mention not having tools and jacks available to do it with, so that makes me kind-of helpless.
I understand the Night Dragons are a soft compound tire and might wear quickly. I have no idea as to how they will wear but it would also be nice to save some one the rebate. Then again, I really don't have the money to purchase tire I really don't need.
The wheels have 180/55R-18 (rear) and MH90-21 (front). The Commander II tires are not available in the size to replace these but the ME888 tires are and I was considering trying them.
I just checked the existing Night Dragon tires and they were manufactured 3 years and 4 months ago, which I would consider very good. The front tire looks like new and the rear looks to be evenly worn at about 70%.
I was ready to purchase two new tires through jakewilson for $292 and get the $88 rebate but since I found the age of the tires are not that old it is going to be very hard to justify the new tires.
My concern was that I want to make the annual Thunder Run to DC this year and it is about a 2200 mile round trip and I don't know how well the Night Dragons will wear. I certainly don't want to get that far away and find I have to replace the tire on the rear while on the road. Being on the road limits your options and prices paid for tires, especially since I always mount and balance my own. Not to mention not having tools and jacks available to do it with, so that makes me kind-of helpless.
I understand the Night Dragons are a soft compound tire and might wear quickly. I have no idea as to how they will wear but it would also be nice to save some one the rebate. Then again, I really don't have the money to purchase tire I really don't need.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
Definitely wouldn't buy new tires if you staying relatively local...for sure. If the rear was a bias, I would think no problem for another 2200 miles on a 30% worn tire, but I dunno for sure on the Radial version...someone might chime in.
You might also ask that particular question about Night Dragon RADIAL Rear WEAR in the Dyna Section
You might also ask that particular question about Night Dragon RADIAL Rear WEAR in the Dyna Section
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 120
Likes: 2
From: Jeffersonville, IN
It does have a radial on the rear. Apparently radials are not available in the front size. It was always my opinion that bias and radials should not be mixed but I read an article today that said some bike manufactures would mix them but the radial was typically on the rear.
I know the radial will typically hold better than a bias so it makes sense it should be on the rear. I was entertaining the idea of making a 2200+ mile trip in the near future and I was also unsure of the age of my tires. Since they are only three years old I will probably leave them on there.
Then again, I have an older Honda 1100 Shadow sitting here and the tires are only 5 years old and they are dry rotted something fierce, but they look like new otherwise. I sure would not want to go far with them.
I have read trip reports where Vets from the far West Coast took the trip to DC for the Viet Nam ride and had to stop and have tires replaced. I certainly would not want to be caught in that situation.
I know the radial will typically hold better than a bias so it makes sense it should be on the rear. I was entertaining the idea of making a 2200+ mile trip in the near future and I was also unsure of the age of my tires. Since they are only three years old I will probably leave them on there.
Then again, I have an older Honda 1100 Shadow sitting here and the tires are only 5 years old and they are dry rotted something fierce, but they look like new otherwise. I sure would not want to go far with them.
I have read trip reports where Vets from the far West Coast took the trip to DC for the Viet Nam ride and had to stop and have tires replaced. I certainly would not want to be caught in that situation.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
I know, you said that
It's accepted in the tire industry to be able to run bias front / radial rear, but not other way around. In fact, some Harley models come originally equipped bias front / radial rear
Apparently radials are not available in the front size. It was always my opinion that bias and radials should not be mixed but I read an article today that said some bike manufactures would mix them but the radial was typically on the rear.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post