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CVO Technical => Wheels/Tires/Suspension/Brakes => Topic started by: TRW on February 01, 2006, 04:39:28 PM
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Hi;
Say I've got a '05 SE Electra Glide and will need to replace the tires shortly. I'm considering going to a set of Metzeler ME 880's. Got any thoughts? Also does anyone know if the Metzeler 150/80 HB - 16 will fit on the back, as opposed to the replacement 140/90 HB?
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Yeah, 'er 'uh, TRW,
Welcome to the Site! Can't speak for the Metzlers. I prefer Dunlop. They may not have the life of other tires, but I don't think you'll find one with the same "Bite!" JMO. Later--HUBBARD
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TRW
I went to 880's and really like them. They provide a more solid feel and better "bite" in the corners. The 150 fit my RK fine.
My opinion.
Bill
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I gotta agree with Hubbard. I went from Dunlops to Metz 880's and never did like the feel of them. It takes a while to learn new tires. Much eaiser to take one brand and stick with them.
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What year is the Road King?
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[highlight]don't think you'll find one with the same "Bite!" [/highlight]
Hubbard I went with Metzlers after my wreck. If you check the road king section under RK fairing, you'll see some pics of my bike Elvis with a set of white shoes. Ok so maybe you don't like white shoes, but the reason I mention it is that those white shoes are Dunlops and your are soooooooo right about the "bite" I can't believe the difference. Never going back to Metzlers
Big Brian
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Mounted the 880's on the SERK. Handles about the same to me. The Dunlops were very good on wet pavement, very bad on the black tire snakes. Havent experence the 880's on wet condition yet.
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[highlight]The Dunlops were very good on wet pavement[/highlight]
I can deal with dry highways no matter how twisty they might be, it's the wet ones that get me now. it used to be livin in Maine, I could ride on snow and ice. 8 goin on 9 years in Dago, I've lost the touch or maybe it's just age. In any event, like I said, I'm back to Dunlops
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Thanks for the feedback so far. Kind of interesting - at this point it seems like the Dunlops get the
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Can't help you re: Metzlers vs Dunlop. All I can say is that on all my Harleys I've always run the Dunlops. H-D & Dunlop - just seem to go together. I've always gotten good mileage (12k + on rear of Ultras, 24k on front) and seem to have good traction, dry and wet. No complaints. My philosophy - if it ain't broke, don't break it. [smiley=cherry.gif]
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I have not gone to look this up again. So don't take what I'm about to say as gospel. But if memory serves correctly the Metzeler 150 did not have as high a load rating as did the 140. Make sure before you put it on a heavy touring bike with a loaded tour pack and two people.
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No you're right. I just looked it up the 150 DOES NOT have as higha load rating.
OK that settles one part of my original question. Thanks!! :)
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Never had anything but Dunlops, but need another one now. 17500 miles second rear gone, front has all the tread but looks dry when should I change it?
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I've had stock dunlop , the GT502 SE dunlop and Metzeler 880's out back , thier grip wet and dry and durability go up along those lines. The GT502s are similar to the Metzelers , but ride a bit harsher. Up front I've had stock dunlops, ME 880's and Avon Venom's , the ME 880s and Venoms are very close in all categories. Next time around I'm going back to Metzelers. I've had 4 sets on 3 different bikes and so far they have given me the best overall performance and mileage
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Mikey I got 23000 out of my orginal front Dunlop, still had fair rubber left. Replace it because it showed very small dry crackes between the tread.
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Never had anything but Dunlops, but need another one now.
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In the past Ive run Dunlop ( Good ), Avon ( So-So ), Metzler ( Love them ). The ME880 do seem to wear alittle faster than Dunlops, but I think is due to I push the bike harder. Ill take a few less miles for better handling, the bike just feels better when you hit the twisty roads hard and fast. As far as the size fit I cant help much.
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I went with the Metzlers when I had to put new tires on last fall. I love the look and the ride. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]DelNel
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Never had anything but Dunlops, but need another one now.
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You have to view the front tire at the right angle to do so, but most will show signs of cupping at about the same time you wear out your 2nd rear tire. While I believe that you'd have enough tread to go that third rear tire, your handling is going to be poor. As a way of proving this to yourself, at the end of your 2nd rear tire ask a friend with new tires on his ride if you can ride his. (hopefully something close model wise) you'll see what I talking about. The front end will carve a corner instead of oscillating around it.
Big Brian
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You have to view the front tire at the right angle to do so, but [highlight]most will show signs of cupping at about the same time you wear out your 2nd rear tire[/highlight]. While I believe that you'd have enough tread to go that third rear tire, your handling is going to be poor. As a way of proving this to yourself, at the end of your 2nd rear tire ask a friend with new tires on his ride if you can ride his. (hopefully something close model wise) you'll see what I talking about. The front end will carve a corner instead of oscillating around it.
Big Brian
Brian,
That has been my experience over the years also, especially with sportier bikes that I pushed a little harder.
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Just bought a rear Dunlap for my Banana for Christmas. Started to go with Metzlers because I heard they were better wet surface tire. Decided against it for now and may try them next round when I will need to replace both tires. Never used anything else but Dunlap and always got good service out of them and I figure what the hay.....most of my riding is on dry pavement anyway! [smiley=nixweiss.gif]
JR [smiley=banana.gif]
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Avon Venom tires are awesome. No more front tire "reading" the grooves in the road. Stick like glue, especially on wet pavement. Wear is comprable to Dunlop's as long as you keep them at 40 pounds.
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2 to 1 is right on, new front rubber every second rear tire makes good safety and ride sense. Love Metzlers once I got used to the higher tire pressures and ride, Dunops are OK too. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] Just don't believe in cutting corners on brakes or tires.
Never used Avon's, so no opinion there. [smiley=nixweiss.gif]
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Thanks for the feedback so far. Kind of interesting - at this point it seems like the Dunlops get the