lets talk about tires

[Ironhead]

I know this subject has been run into the ground like pipes and oil, but lets bring it up for a bit.

I am running a Kenda Cruiser on the back of my fatboy right now. For the price, they are damn good tires. you can buy them online for $60 apiece. they are a sport touring tire. have a good tread pattern that cuts water nicely, and a somewhat decent rubber compound.

what I have noticed, the center wears quickly. and when it's very hot out, they can feel a little greasy.

coming home from Paintsville, I took an exit ramp off of 64, on new blacktop. between 65 and 60mph, I down shifted to 4th and let off the clutch to let the motor slow me down, and the damn rear tire about went out from under me, sideways.

I like the way the dunlop D402s handle, but they don't last. I get about 8000 miles out of a rear tire with them. Obviously the softer the compound, the better the tire will hold the road and at the same time, the faster the tire will wear.

I hear tons of recomendations as to which tires are the "best"
so lets start this out. Metzlers, Avons, Dunlops, etc

which tires do you recommend, and WHY do you recommend them?

[Motive]

I rode on Bridgestones with my old Yamaha...I'd ride them about 16k before they blew out. I'd say that's pretty good mileage considering how hot the roads get here in TX....but that was a teeny tiny engine.

My stock Dunlops didn't grip for shit.

The Metzlers, I've been running for 2 sets prior now, grip a hell of alot better. I get around 10k on the back and 12k on the front before they're bald past the wear bars.

Haven't tried Avon's but dude at the local chop shop claims they expand 1/8" more than a Metzler does at speed (which probably means jack shit to someone that rarely breaks 100mph)...I forgot the technical term he used, but he held his hands in a half moon and I gathered it was like a bubble effect with the expansion.

[Dave63]

There ar no rear tires that I'm aware of that are going to NOT wear in the center, as that's where you ride 90% of the time, on a cruiser. My D404's included. They're the same as the D402's, but with a lighter load rating. Same tread.... No ridges on the sidewall. I'll get D404's next.

Avons are great in the rain and sticky for spirited riding, but I got 7500 out of them.

The one tire that wears like iron, AND grips well is the Avon Road Runner. It fits both front and rear (when reversed).

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/217-162?N=28003644+275212+28002800&Ne=28002799&Nao=20&results=100

Half the issue is, Josh, the rear tire both accelerates the bike, and stops the bike if downshifting and using a rear brake. It only has generally, half the life of the front tire.

Having it slip on you, on an exit ramp, on a curve while down shifting isn't the tire's fault so much as not rev-matching the engine to the gear your in, and dropping the clutch too hard. You can get in trouble doing that.......

There's always the good possibility that you also hit some slipery goo on an exit ramp, too.

[Motive]

Having it slip on you, on an exit ramp, on a curve while down shifting isn't the tire's fault so much as not rev-matching the engine to the gear your in, and dropping the clutch too hard. You can get in trouble doing that.......

Yep, I've done that more than a few times....downshifting too many gears, too soon, coming to a stop.

[Ironhead]

Oh, I am fully aware that the rear of the bike wanting to go out from under me was of my own doing. the thing I am more concerned about it this tire won't see 5000 miles before it will need replaced. I ran it for 6000 miles on my sportster before mounting it on my fatboy. It still looked new, but, the sportster is a lot lighter of a bike than the fatboy is, and never saw as much distance at any given time than the fatboy does, or get riden as hard as the fatboy, which all combined will greatly effect the wear on a tire, especially the rear

Dave, rereading your post, are you saying you prefer the D402s or the D404s?

[Dave63]

Oh, I am fully aware that the rear of the bike wanting to go out from under me was of my own doing. the thing I am more concerned about it this tire won't see 5000 miles before it will need replaced. I ran it for 6000 miles on my sportster before mounting it on my fatboy. It still looked new, but, the sportster is a lot lighter of a bike than the fatboy is, and never saw as much distance at any given time than the fatboy does, or get riden as hard as the fatboy, which all combined will greatly effect the wear on a tire, especially the rear

Dave, rereading your post, are you saying you prefer the D402s or the D404s?

I prefer the D402s.

When I bought my D404's, I wasn't aware of the load rating being lower. Which is why they're much cheaper. (D402-$129, D404-$79)

You could look at the K591 Dunlops which look just like the D404/D402, but are V-speed rated, not just H. The load rating is a 64, where the D402 is a 77 and rated more for a loaded touring bike.

The D404 is only a 67 rating.

64= 617 lbs
67= 677 lbs
77= 908 lbs

[elPrez]

I used to run Metzler 880's on my bikes (old 98 RKC) the ride was excellent but as you stated the life was less than stellar. Last tire I got was the Dunlop Elite 3 based on rave reviews on-line. I will continue with these till the next big thing comes along. Great ride comparable to the Metzler but much better life. I'd get about 7,000 to 8,000 miles on the 880's and I have been hearing 10 to 12,000 on the rear on a bagger with the E 3's

[Dave63]

One guy I know swears by the E3 as well...........says he gets 12-15K out of them, on his Sporty, which he rides EVERYWHERE!

[Ironhead]

ok, here is what I am considering
either the M880 marathon http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx
or returning to the D402's

I really like the look of Avon venoms, but I hear too many bad things about them, like (in a curve on wet pavement, kiss your @$$ goodbye)
if I were on a rice rocket, it may be different, but I don't think they are for me, on a fatboy

[elPrez]

Only negative I see with the E3's is they only come in blackwall...not a big deal to me but I had to have wide white walls with the Road King Classic and Ultras use the narrow. I can deal with solid black. Perhaps they'll make others as the popularity increases.

[elPrez]

Josh, do they make the E3 in the size you need? I'd give it serious consideration...Rides just like the 880 but lasts like the 402. They are EXCELLENT in rain

[Motive]

ok, here is what I am considering
either the M880 marathon http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx
or returning to the D402's

880s is what I'm running, and that's where I buy them...so no arguments from me.

[Dave63]

ok, here is what I am considering
either the M880 marathon http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx
or returning to the D402's

I really like the look of Avon venoms, but I hear too many bad things about them, like (in a curve on wet pavement, kiss your @$$ goodbye)
if I were on a rice rocket, it may be different, but I don't think they are for me, on a fatboy

Venoms ROCK on wet pavement...... just they have zilch for life. My fronts kept cupping no matter what PSI I ran, low or high.

ME880's are good too.

I may look at the K591s myself, over the 402's next time.

[krcampbell]

I have a VENOM on the rear of my '08 Street Glide. It seems to handle well. Have not had it on long enough to gauge how well it wears. The stock Dunlops seemed to handle ok and I got 15000 plus miles out of them front and rear.

[Ironhead]

maybe I need to do some more research on the E3, sounds like a good tire from what you all are saying.

my D402s, I was getting 8000 out of a rear, and that was worn well past the wear bar, I mean, literally bald in the center, flat, but my front is only just now getting to the wear bar and it has over 15000 on it