Metzelers Cured Handling Problems
#1
07-20-2009 | 08:51 PM
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 63
From: Eastern Washington State
Metzelers Cured Handling Problems
Bought a new 09 Dyna Low Rider on May 2 this year. Bike came with standard Dunlops and there were lots of days when I didn't even want to take the bike out. We get a lot of pretty strong winds in the spring here and even a slight wind would cause the bike to wander and feel unstable. Get in a strong wind on the freeway with trucks, vans and SUVs and it got positively scary. Then one day I happened on a long stretch of grooved pavement which was being prepped for resurfacing. That one nearly put a stain in my shorts until I could get slowed down and on the shoulder where they hadn't ripped it up yet. Riding was just not a relaxed, enjoyable experience. At 2700 miles I pulled the Dunlops and installed a pair of ME880 Marathons.
The change in handling was dramatic. At last I could ride behind a semi at 70 MPH on a windy day and not feel like I was going to crash at any moment. Wind doesn't move the bike now and it tracks and corners like it's glued to the pavement. Saturday I came upon a short stretch of grooved pavement and didn't even slow down. Bike went through it with nary a wobble or wiggle. My son has Dunlops on his 09 Ultra and doesn't seem to have any handling problems so I guess different bikes react differently to Dunlop tires. For me and my Low Rider though it's Metzelers all the way.
The change in handling was dramatic. At last I could ride behind a semi at 70 MPH on a windy day and not feel like I was going to crash at any moment. Wind doesn't move the bike now and it tracks and corners like it's glued to the pavement. Saturday I came upon a short stretch of grooved pavement and didn't even slow down. Bike went through it with nary a wobble or wiggle. My son has Dunlops on his 09 Ultra and doesn't seem to have any handling problems so I guess different bikes react differently to Dunlop tires. For me and my Low Rider though it's Metzelers all the way.
#6
07-20-2009 | 09:59 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 1
From:
#7
07-20-2009 | 10:00 PM
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Newfoundland, Canada
Bought a new 09 Dyna Low Rider on May 2 this year. Bike came with standard Dunlops and there were lots of days when I didn't even want to take the bike out. We get a lot of pretty strong winds in the spring here and even a slight wind would cause the bike to wander and feel unstable. Get in a strong wind on the freeway with trucks, vans and SUVs and it got positively scary. Then one day I happened on a long stretch of grooved pavement which was being prepped for resurfacing. That one nearly put a stain in my shorts until I could get slowed down and on the shoulder where they hadn't ripped it up yet. Riding was just not a relaxed, enjoyable experience. At 2700 miles I pulled the Dunlops and installed a pair of ME880 Marathons.
The change in handling was dramatic. At last I could ride behind a semi at 70 MPH on a windy day and not feel like I was going to crash at any moment. Wind doesn't move the bike now and it tracks and corners like it's glued to the pavement. Saturday I came upon a short stretch of grooved pavement and didn't even slow down. Bike went through it with nary a wobble or wiggle. My son has Dunlops on his 09 Ultra and doesn't seem to have any handling problems so I guess different bikes react differently to Dunlop tires. For me and my Low Rider though it's Metzelers all the way.
The change in handling was dramatic. At last I could ride behind a semi at 70 MPH on a windy day and not feel like I was going to crash at any moment. Wind doesn't move the bike now and it tracks and corners like it's glued to the pavement. Saturday I came upon a short stretch of grooved pavement and didn't even slow down. Bike went through it with nary a wobble or wiggle. My son has Dunlops on his 09 Ultra and doesn't seem to have any handling problems so I guess different bikes react differently to Dunlop tires. For me and my Low Rider though it's Metzelers all the way.
Last edited by '09fxdb; 07-20-2009 at 10:02 PM.
Trending Topics
#8
07-20-2009 | 10:18 PM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
My question is, did you do the rear wheel R&R yourself, or have a shop do the change?
I'll tell you my theory on crapping handling dynas: It's because the same guys that overfill your friggin engine on a service, are the same guys setting the bikes up.
My bike scared the **** outta me a couple of times, because of the rear wheel track/wobble issue. It had the stock tire, which means the bike was setup like it came off the showroom floor. Stock tire was the K591.... only got 5K miles out of it.
I removed my rear wheel and had a D407 mounted and balanced. I reinstalled my rear wheel, did the wheel alignment, and also the vehicle alignment... along with the "loosen engine mount, run motor for 15 seconds, retighten engine mount" (but not after removing the preload from the front motor mount).
I can tell you the difference in handling is night and day, and I also know the tire could not have made that big a difference.
Just my two cents worth on tire changes making such a huge difference.... it's not the tires, it's who set the bike back up after the tire change... I think.... again, just my opinion.
I'll tell you my theory on crapping handling dynas: It's because the same guys that overfill your friggin engine on a service, are the same guys setting the bikes up.
My bike scared the **** outta me a couple of times, because of the rear wheel track/wobble issue. It had the stock tire, which means the bike was setup like it came off the showroom floor. Stock tire was the K591.... only got 5K miles out of it.
I removed my rear wheel and had a D407 mounted and balanced. I reinstalled my rear wheel, did the wheel alignment, and also the vehicle alignment... along with the "loosen engine mount, run motor for 15 seconds, retighten engine mount" (but not after removing the preload from the front motor mount).
I can tell you the difference in handling is night and day, and I also know the tire could not have made that big a difference.
Just my two cents worth on tire changes making such a huge difference.... it's not the tires, it's who set the bike back up after the tire change... I think.... again, just my opinion.
#9
07-20-2009 | 10:47 PM
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 63
From: Eastern Washington State
My question is, did you do the rear wheel R&R yourself, or have a shop do the change?
I can tell you the difference in handling is night and day, and I also know the tire could not have made that big a difference.
Just my two cents worth on tire changes making such a huge difference.... it's not the tires, it's who set the bike back up after the tire change... I think.... again, just my opinion.
I can tell you the difference in handling is night and day, and I also know the tire could not have made that big a difference.
Just my two cents worth on tire changes making such a huge difference.... it's not the tires, it's who set the bike back up after the tire change... I think.... again, just my opinion.
The reason I chose Metzelers is because I had the exact same problem with stock Dunlops on a Honda 750 Aero. At 6K miles I put on a set of Metzelers with the same dramatic results. Absolutely stable in the wind and stable riding grooved pavement vs wandering in the wind and unstable on grooves with the Dunlops. The probability of two disparate bikes exhibiting ill handling due to improper setup is rather remote (although, I'll grant, not impossible). I can only speak from my experience with these two bikes since I have not ridden any other Honda or Harley of the same model with Dunlop tires. I can though, guarantee you that the improved handling with the Metzelers was indeed amazing.
#10
07-20-2009 | 10:48 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,419
Likes: 1
From: Ashland Ore.
My question is, did you do the rear wheel R&R yourself, or have a shop do the change?
I'll tell you my theory on crapping handling dynas: It's because the same guys that overfill your friggin engine on a service, are the same guys setting the bikes up.
My bike scared the **** outta me a couple of times, because of the rear wheel track/wobble issue. It had the stock tire, which means the bike was setup like it came off the showroom floor. Stock tire was the K591.... only got 5K miles out of it.
I removed my rear wheel and had a D407 mounted and balanced. I reinstalled my rear wheel, did the wheel alignment, and also the vehicle alignment... along with the "loosen engine mount, run motor for 15 seconds, retighten engine mount" (but not after removing the preload from the front motor mount).
I can tell you the difference in handling is night and day, and I also know the tire could not have made that big a difference.
Just my two cents worth on tire changes making such a huge difference.... it's not the tires, it's who set the bike back up after the tire change... I think.... again, just my opinion.
I'll tell you my theory on crapping handling dynas: It's because the same guys that overfill your friggin engine on a service, are the same guys setting the bikes up.
My bike scared the **** outta me a couple of times, because of the rear wheel track/wobble issue. It had the stock tire, which means the bike was setup like it came off the showroom floor. Stock tire was the K591.... only got 5K miles out of it.
I removed my rear wheel and had a D407 mounted and balanced. I reinstalled my rear wheel, did the wheel alignment, and also the vehicle alignment... along with the "loosen engine mount, run motor for 15 seconds, retighten engine mount" (but not after removing the preload from the front motor mount).
I can tell you the difference in handling is night and day, and I also know the tire could not have made that big a difference.
Just my two cents worth on tire changes making such a huge difference.... it's not the tires, it's who set the bike back up after the tire change... I think.... again, just my opinion.