which tread for best handling?
Harley Wheels & Harley Tire IssuesDiscuss which tread for best handling? in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; I'm looking to get a new set of Metzeler skins for my new-to-me FXR4 and after a lot of "brochure research" I see the types of tires for my bike ...
I'm looking to get a new set of Metzeler skins for my new-to-me FXR4 and after a lot of "brochure research" I see the types of tires for my bike can basically be broken down into two groups:
1) The ME 880's which have a flattish profile and are designed mainly for baggers and such. They claim to get very good mileage and decent handling. I have these on my bike now (110/90 front and 150/80 rear, both very worn and past due) and can say that one thing they are great at is not getting the "wigglies" when going over grooved pavement (which we have a lot of here in California). According to Metzeler's literature, this groove stablilty is due to their not have circumferential grooves in the tread. I really like that stability but the bike doesn't like to really turn into a corner very well. You lean and you lean but the bike really takes its time turning. I also realize the 150/80 rear is wider than stock and probably contributes a bit to this slow turning thang.
2) The ME Lasertec series. This is a more rounded profile and their ad claims more "radial-like" handling. This tire was not designed for baggers but, according to their ad, is more of a classic tire tread on an up to date carcass. They show them on a modern Triumph in the ad and seem to portray them as semi-sport touring (my term). Metzeler has a true sport touring tire called the Roadtec but they're not available in my sizes. The rub with these Lasertec tires is they have a single concentric groove and I'm concerned they'll be wigglers. Before I bought my FXR4 I test road a nice '86 FXRS-SP that had a Lazertec on the front and was totally impressed with its turning ablilty. It reminded me of my old '69 Norton Commando S but bigger and heavier. I probably should have bought that bike but I hesitated and it got sold. Oh well.... Anyway, I didn't get a chance to check out the handling on grooved pavement.
So, as you might see, I'm defintely leaning toward the Lasertec's but I'm worried about those centerline grooves causing some wobbling and I hate that. I'm not going to be trying to grind off my foot pegs in the corners but I'm hoping to get more of a point and go bike than what I have. Something closer to a Buell than a Bagger. Any thoughts about the Lasertecs? Oh, and I'm not against other brands either.
I am an avid Metzler 880 user. I think for my Road king they are the best combination handling and long mileage tire, wet or dry. I love them. I can't help you on the Metzler Lazertec because I haven't tried them.
One thing that worries me and disappoints me is that the new Metlers are made in Brazil instead of Germany. Many reports say that the new Brazilian made tires do not meet the old size standards. A 150 MM is reported as just slightly over a 130 MM size with great variances. Metzler says that they meet the specs but a 150 tire size is just slightly wider than a 130. The cost difference in a 130 Vs a 150 is substantial to me and paying that difference for a tire basically the same width is crazy. I know this is a wide spread problem and riders are complaining to Metzler so maybe it will be resolved in the future.
A tire that equals or exceeds Metzler in the great traction and characteristics of the 880's is the Avon Venom X's. Now, although the traction equals and usually exceeds the 880's the tire life is diminished due to the softer compound but still my second choice in a tire. The tread pattern is similar and maintains that handling feel and smoothness on those grooved surfaces.
Sorry I can't help with the Lasertecs, and I am pissed at Metzler right now for the change to Brazilian manufacturing varying from size spec, but I still remain a loyale customer and hope they get it worked out.
The 880's are highly rated by a lot of Sportster Riders, so I am suprised than you rate them as a "Bagger"tire. I think the Sporty riders like them for their "stickyness" as well as the anti wobble factor. On a recent poll on a Sportster Forum they beat out the Avon Venom in popularity, by a huge margin. The Avons ran second,then the Lasertecs, followed by everything else. Stock Dunflops came in dead last in popularity. Who knew?
The 880's are highly rated by a lot of Sportster Riders, so I am suprised than you rate them as a "Bagger"tire. I think the Sporty riders like them for their "stickyness" as well as the anti wobble factor. On a recent poll on a Sportster Forum they beat out the Avon Venom in popularity, by a huge margin. The Avons ran second,then the Lasertecs, followed by everything else. Stock Dunflops came in dead last in popularity. Who knew?
Well, I rate them best for a bagger tire simply because of the long mileage in addition to great wet and dry traction. But, I caution bagger users that on the 150 MM size the load rating is reduced and heavy two up riding with a loaded down bike is pushing the rating limits.
Well, I rate them best for a bagger tire simply because of the long mileage in addition to great wet and dry traction. But, I caution bagger users that on the 150 MM size the load rating is reduced and heavy two up riding with a loaded down bike is pushing the rating limits.
Yeah 5th, you are dead right about the mileage, although I have heard that the rears tend not to be as longlived as the front tire? I had not heard about the variation in spec with the Brazilians.I wonder If that is anything to do with the "Brazilian" hair trimming fashion currently in vogue?
TeeHee. You're too cool man! A post is worthless without brazilian hair pictures
Well, the front tire mileage vs the rear is just the nature of the beast. The last front tire on my Road King was changed at 27,000 miles with lots of tread left. My rear tires I change early because I tour and a 4000 mile trip is common and I don't want to hastle with changing a tire on a trip so I change the rear early. The biggest problem with front tire mileage is not the center tread wear but uneven wear. On my Dyna I saw cupping and wear to the left. That is a common problem on some bikes...notably on a Gold Wing and various other bikes including my 2000 Dyna. But, I have been lucky with my Road King and after 27,000 miles on my last tire I had a lot of tread left but wanted to get rid of the white wall anyway before a very long tour. So, basically it is about 3 to 1 rear vs front.
It's funny, but when, out of curiosity to what the dealership's answer would be, I asked the dealer service manager about the uneven wear on the Dyna this and is what he told me...."Well, the roads are slanted to the right side so you can expect tire wear on the left side". Bahahahaha! Oh Well, there's an excuse for everything and I guess we have no choice but to put up with some of this now and then. But, it still makes me chuckle sometimes to hear the various explanations.
Note: With changing to a heavier front fork oil it seemed to help with the front tire cupping
Pictures of "Brazilians"? Are ya tryin' to get me banned!!!!.
Dealer tale. I asked my dealer about uneven road trash on my rear tire after I had fitted a new rear sprocket. He took a look at it and said it was fine and that I had set the wheel correctly. Good.So whats with the tire trash off center all about? (about 1/8th") He says "It's quite normal because riders tend to corner more aggressively to the left". Sounds reasonable!!
I'm only getting 5000 miles out of my Dunlops and have heard that in my environment,N.Arizona, some of the other brands will wear worse. I had to cross a mountain pass covered in snow and these tires got me thru with out any extra drama. There was plenty of that without sliding off the road. I'm not saying any other tire would not be just as good, but I have total confidence in the stock tires for my style of riding. I've used the Avons on a FLHS and can say that they worked very well in the rain, but did wear faster. It boils down to how you ride. If traction is more important than longer wear, it's worth it, IMO to replace tires sooner. I do not see how you could have both, there has to be a compromise at some level.
You made a very good point about changing tires early, 4cams. I agree and have practiced that for many years. I am not one who will risk a slip because of lack of tread just to see how many miles I can get out of a tire. Tires are expensive but a slip down costs much more. I guess it's just a necessary expense I am willing to pay.
I put Metzler 150 and 120 on my 2000wg 7 yrs ago, the first 880s were for dynas and sporsters and softails geezer glides came later. Only problem I ever had was a flat put a patch in it and went another 7k miles. As far as handeling at least on a wideglide they are far superior especially in the hills and twisties, I do have a fork brace (which I reccomend to everybody) and my wg handles excelent on wobbles or following lines in the road....
which tread for best handling? 
I had not heard about the variation in spec with the Brazilians.I wonder If that is anything to do with the "Brazilian" hair trimming fashion currently in vogue?
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