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[Hoist!]

Hey gang. My '07 SERK3 had E3 radial on the front. I like that tire and had no cupping issues, just wears fairly quickly. But HD/Dunlop discontinued the tire and uses the D407 now, the same tire that's stock on '08's. So I replaced my tire with a new D407 radial before the York trip. THAT TIRE SUCKS!!! I gave up some handling and ride after putting that tire on. WTF?? Why did they change it from the E3?

Now I'm looking into the option of ripping the Dunlops off my bike as a result of that inferior matched front tire. I like the rear, but will only run a set of tires from the same mfr, preferreby the same series tire.

What options do we have to continue to keep radials on these bikes. I'd like to stay with the stock sizes, and with radials, but get something a little stickier, better performing, and more comfortable. Any ideas? Thanks!

Hoist!

[miker]

Sounds like burnout time!!

[Twolanerider]

Whatever you get Howie; definitely get the round ones !












(damn it feels good being helpful!)

[miker]

Whatever you get Howie; definitely get the round ones !


Yeah, I prefer round ones, tires...It is strange that they can look round but feel square...I had 3 Continental's on my f259 that felt like they were square...









(damn it feels good being helpful!)

[MJZ]

Hey gang. My '07 SERK3 had E3 radial on the front. I like that tire and had no cupping issues, just wears fairly quickly. But HD/Dunlop discontinued the tire and uses the D407 now, the same tire that's stock on '08's. So I replaced my tire with a new D407 radial before the York trip. THAT TIRE SUCKS!!! I gave up some handling and ride after putting that tire on. WTF?? Why did they change it from the E3?

Now I'm looking into the option of ripping the Dunlops off my bike as a result of that inferior matched front tire. I like the rear, but will only run a set of tires from the same mfr, preferreby the same series tire.

What options do we have to continue to keep radials on these bikes. I'd like to stay with the stock sizes, and with radials, but get something a little stickier, better performing, and more comfortable. Any ideas? Thanks!

Hoist!

Howie, I've seen you ride, you need to get those sticky soft race tires as used by AMA Superbike racers. Just get a sponsor and replace them after each ride. You could send the used ones down to Henry, he could distribute them where they are needed as ballast for all the Alabama double wides.

[Capo]

Hey gang. My '07 SERK3 had E3 radial on the front. I like that tire and had no cupping issues, just wears fairly quickly. But HD/Dunlop discontinued the tire and uses the D407 now, the same tire that's stock on '08's. So I replaced my tire with a new D407 radial before the York trip. THAT TIRE SUCKS!!! I gave up some handling and ride after putting that tire on. WTF?? Why did they change it from the E3?

Now I'm looking into the option of ripping the Dunlops off my bike as a result of that inferior matched front tire. I like the rear, but will only run a set of tires from the same mfr, preferreby the same series tire.

What options do we have to continue to keep radials on these bikes. I'd like to stay with the stock sizes, and with radials, but get something a little stickier, better performing, and more comfortable. Any ideas? Thanks!

Hoist!
Howie,
I have been running Metzler rubber for over 20 years. Started with them back in 1987 with the ME88 series rear and the Laser front on my 920 Yamaha Virago, which was famous for wandering, especiaally in a breeze, they went a long way in stopping that, together with a fork brace. Then when I went to American V-twins back in 2002 with an Indian Chief Roadmaster I dumped the worthless Maxxus for the then new 880 series, I hvae over 30K on that series between the Chief and my 03 SERK with multiple sets in 21K for the SERK and sold the Dunlop 402 series from the Longhorn. I find that I get 20K on a back and a solid 10K on a front with the 880's. The only bike I didn't use them on was my Goldwing and I only had 3500 miles on that when I went to the Chief. Price is comparable and IMO the compound is soft enough for the frequent wet riding here in the North West. They make whitewalls now too. You might ask around about them.

[Hoist!]

Howie,
I have been running Metzler rubber for over 20 years. Started with them back in 1987 with the ME88 series rear and the Laser front on my 920 Yamaha Virago, which was famous for wandering, especiaally in a breeze, they went a long way in stopping that, together with a fork brace. Then when I went to American V-twins back in 2002 with an Indian Chief Roadmaster I dumped the worthless Maxxus for the then new 880 series, I hvae over 30K on that series between the Chief and my 03 SERK with multiple sets in 21K for the SERK and sold the Dunlop 402 series from the Longhorn. I find that I get 20K on a back and a solid 10K on a front with the 880's. The only bike I didn't use them on was my Goldwing and I only had 3500 miles on that when I went to the Chief. Price is comparable and IMO the compound is soft enough for the frequent wet riding here in the North West. They make whitewalls now too. You might ask around about them.

Thanks Capo. I run Metzler Lasers on my street bikes. Love em! The SERK3 is the first bike I've had with Radials. I was digging the handling and responsiveness in the rain with the E3 Radials. But that D407 front just doesn't cut it. Are the Metzlers also available in Radials in these sizes or am I going to have to give up the Radials to go Metzler.

Hoist!

[Capo]

Thanks Capo. I run Metzler Lasers on my street bikes. Love em! The SERK3 is the first bike I've had with Radials. I was digging the handling and responsiveness in the rain with the E3 Radials. But that D407 front just doesn't cut it. Are the Metzlers also available in Radials in these sizes or am I going to have to give up the Radials to go Metzler.

Hoist!

Howie,
The Metzler steel radial line is limited to the Sport bike class as I underctand it. It seems to be a weight thing-the big touring bike tyres are designed for a wider range of handling. Check this out

http://www.metzelermoto.com/en_IT/browser/attachments/pdf/03%20ME%20Flyer%20Street-E%202007-2.pdf

[Hoist!]

Howie,
The Metzler steel radial line is limited to the Sport bike class as I underctand it. It seems to be a weight thing-the big touring bike tyres are designed for a wider range of handling. Check this out

http://www.metzelermoto.com/en_IT/browser/attachments/pdf/03%20ME%20Flyer%20Street-E%202007-2.pdf

Thanks Capo, I'll go thru their catalog. I might try giving up the radials to get away from that D407. New front & rear on right now. So I'll deal with the next 8-10K miles with these tires on.

I'm surprised that there's no clear alternative for the SERK3/4 tire application, without having to change tire types. HD's gone and done it again witheir one-off BS! FTW & FTF!

Hoist!

[Hoist!]

Again no clear alternative with any Metzler at all. This is as close as I could find:

Front: ME 880 Marathon V-Rated 130/60 VR 18 M/C (60V) TL Front
and
Rear: ME 880 Marathon V-Rated 170/60 R 17 M/C 70V TL

The stock SERK3 front tire size is 130/70 R 18. Will the 60 series tire fit OK?
The stock SERK3 rear tire size is 170/60 R 17. The 17" Metzler above has no designation of front or rear. No load ratings at all for any of their tires in that catalog either.

I'm not convinced these are the replacement Metzlers on the SERK3. However there are no other Metzlers with matching SERK3 sizes in that catalog. Now what? This isn't becoming humorous at all. Seems like HD locked us into another one here! WTF? FTW & FTF!!!

Hoist!

[erniezap]

Howie,

Those 18" custom wheels are going to look great on your bike!   

[Hoist!]

Howie,

Those 18" custom wheels are going to look great on your bike!   

What 18" custom wheels Ernie?

I already have an 18" front. I like the wide 17" rear. And ya know damn well I'm not swapping these chrome wheels for a different set! Function over form brother! Now they need to do is make some decent damn tires for it is all!

Hoist!

[miker]

Once the chrome starts peeling, you can w...tee them and upgrade to some more non-hd parts!   

[Hoist!]

OK, screw the  on the wheels. WTF are we gonna do about tires on these things. Why no other options?

The 407 rear's OK, but that 407 front sucks. What was wrong with the original front E3 radial? Are there no good performance tires out there in these sizes?

Hoist!

[Serkcus]

Howie, I'm having the same problem, what the *ell to do for replacement tires tires? I wanted to stick with these E3's but have been unable to find a dealer that has stocked them.