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A Star Ride · 02-05-2011, 08:06 AM

I'm in need of yet another rear skin for my bike (900# Star Tour Deluxe) and tired of Dunlap's 4000 miles at $155-ish a pop 3 times a year, so I asked my guy for a recommend. He is offering (for $250.00) a metzler high milage touring tire, said I should get at least double the distance from it, not really saving any green but at least saving a trip to the bike shop.
My concern is, will this harder compound cause me any safety issues for me? I think it's a dual compound, hard center & soft sides for cornering.
Curious if any of yall have went this route & if happy with the results. Any feedback will be appreciated.

jmdonald · 02-05-2011, 10:11 AM

I am currently running Michelin Pilot II's.They are a dual compound tire and the grip is fine.They seem to wearing a lot better than the original set.I am pleased with them.

acecycleins · 02-05-2011, 11:50 AM

Metzler's 880s? If so, they are great tires. Better than average mileage and great in the rain. You can mail me my 2 cents.

pushrod · 02-05-2011, 03:57 PM

Metzlers are right 'spensive.

Might I recommend Avon, which I used on my FXR years ago, or maybe even a Shinko?

I now have Shinko 009 Raven's on both ends of my Sprint. They are black, and round, and the bike hasn't leapt off the ground yet.

The 009 is the Sport-Touring blend. Check their site for the HW application.

They seem to be a good tire, and they are quite inexpensive.

sarnali2 · 02-05-2011, 09:03 PM

Just about anything will give you better mileage than Dunlops. I've had good luck with Avons and also Michelins. Pirelli's work well too as do Metzlers. Lot's of good choices, just find one that fits and is in your budget.

A Star Ride · 02-06-2011, 10:37 AM

Thanks guys for the input, I did pay for the Metzler to get it on order & will let all know how its holdn up after a few thousand miles. Hoping to a longer life from it then I have gotten from the Dunlops.

Dr_Sprocket · 02-07-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acecycleins

Metzler's 880s? If so, they are great tires. Better than average mileage and great in the rain. You can mail me my 2 cents.

Isn't that the Marathon tire? If so, I've heard good things about that tire.

silentgrayfellow · 02-08-2011, 06:11 AM

I have a heavy cruiser (Harley Ultra Classic). I have been happy with both the Metzeler ME880 Marathon and the Michelin Commander. The Michelins are a bit less expensive.

I previously had a Superglide Sport and tried the following tires (comment applies to rear tire):

Metzeler ME 880 -- Good grip and decent tread wear

Bridgestone S11 Spitfire -- Excellent tire at a bargain price -- this was my favorite tire for this application.

Avon -- Good grip but wears out fast.

Continental Conti Tour-- Long tread life but poor grip.

A Star Ride · 02-08-2011, 06:30 AM

In my town, we have the import dealer & the HD dealer, then about 4 locally owned smaller bike shops. All seem to stock the Dunlops, anything else is special ordered. Only once did I call the shop to schedule a tire & it was actually in stock. I'm not sure how many tire size & compound combinations there are & what sells well, but I imagine it's a challenge for them to maintain any kind of inventory level at all.

pushrod · 02-08-2011, 06:38 AM

I have the same problem, only fewer shops.

I have one shop that will either sell you a tire and mount it free, or will mount and spin one you bring in for $40.

The Dealerships will not mount someone else's tire.

02-05-2011, 08:06 AM	#1
A Star Ride Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: central Va Posts: 1,126	Touring tires I'm in need of yet another rear skin for my bike (900# Star Tour Deluxe) and tired of Dunlap's 4000 miles at $155-ish a pop 3 times a year, so I asked my guy for a recommend. He is offering (for $250.00) a metzler high milage touring tire, said I should get at least double the distance from it, not really saving any green but at least saving a trip to the bike shop. My concern is, will this harder compound cause me any safety issues for me? I think it's a dual compound, hard center & soft sides for cornering. Curious if any of yall have went this route & if happy with the results. Any feedback will be appreciated. __________________ White Trash Hick from Appalachia

02-05-2011, 10:11 AM	#2
jmdonald Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 1,231	Current Set I am currently running Michelin Pilot II's.They are a dual compound tire and the grip is fine.They seem to wearing a lot better than the original set.I am pleased with them. __________________ Secede.

02-05-2011, 11:50 AM	#3
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,129	Metzler's 880s? If so, they are great tires. Better than average mileage and great in the rain. You can mail me my 2 cents. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

02-05-2011, 03:57 PM	#4
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,635	Metzlers are right 'spensive. Might I recommend Avon, which I used on my FXR years ago, or maybe even a Shinko? I now have Shinko 009 Raven's on both ends of my Sprint. They are black, and round, and the bike hasn't leapt off the ground yet. The 009 is the Sport-Touring blend. Check their site for the HW application. They seem to be a good tire, and they are quite inexpensive. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

02-05-2011, 09:03 PM	#5
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,648	Just about anything will give you better mileage than Dunlops. I've had good luck with Avons and also Michelins. Pirelli's work well too as do Metzlers. Lot's of good choices, just find one that fits and is in your budget. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "Denser alloy. My Father gave it to me, I think he wants me to kill you"... CVF-FCV

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02-06-2011, 10:37 AM	#6
A Star Ride Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: central Va Posts: 1,126	Thanks guys for the input, I did pay for the Metzler to get it on order & will let all know how its holdn up after a few thousand miles. Hoping to a longer life from it then I have gotten from the Dunlops. __________________ White Trash Hick from Appalachia

02-08-2011, 06:11 AM	#8
silentgrayfellow Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 320	I have a heavy cruiser (Harley Ultra Classic). I have been happy with both the Metzeler ME880 Marathon and the Michelin Commander. The Michelins are a bit less expensive. I previously had a Superglide Sport and tried the following tires (comment applies to rear tire): Metzeler ME 880 -- Good grip and decent tread wear Bridgestone S11 Spitfire -- Excellent tire at a bargain price -- this was my favorite tire for this application. Avon -- Good grip but wears out fast. Continental Conti Tour-- Long tread life but poor grip.

02-08-2011, 06:30 AM	#9
A Star Ride Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: central Va Posts: 1,126	In my town, we have the import dealer & the HD dealer, then about 4 locally owned smaller bike shops. All seem to stock the Dunlops, anything else is special ordered. Only once did I call the shop to schedule a tire & it was actually in stock. I'm not sure how many tire size & compound combinations there are & what sells well, but I imagine it's a challenge for them to maintain any kind of inventory level at all. __________________ White Trash Hick from Appalachia

02-08-2011, 06:38 AM	#10
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,635	I have the same problem, only fewer shops. I have one shop that will either sell you a tire and mount it free, or will mount and spin one you bring in for $40. The Dealerships will not mount someone else's tire. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.