I posted this in the "Tires" section and so far no responses, so lets try it here. A couple of summers ago I got an '03 Low Rider, and it's time for new rubber. Don't know if I want to stay with the Dunlop 401's or not. Don't do many long trips, don't ride too hard - mostly cruisin' around southwest Ohio. What do you guys prefer??

Thanks,

JA

 

Hi Dagored.
My '03 Lowrider (mine is gunmetal blue also. LOVE the color!!) had Dunlops on it when I bought it. There were 7,400 miles on the bike.
I rode it one season, (approximately 4,000 mi) and I put the Metzler 880's on it.
Dennis Kirk had a sale on them.
That was 2 riding seasons (about 10,000 miles) ago, and they look like I could go another season on them.
I really like the way they handle.
Of course I only had the worn out Dunlops to compare the handling to, but there was a very noticable difference, especially when riding over cracks in the road.
It seemed as though the Dunlops wanted to follow the crack.
They actually pulled on the handlebars making the bike swerve, while the Metzler's just ride right over them like they weren't even there.
As far as turning, with the Dunlop's I had to work at making the bike turn.
With the Metzler's it's as easy as pushing in the direction you want to go.
I have ridden in the rain a couple of times and other than my own fear of the bike sliding out from under me on the wet road, the tires held firm.
I haven't ridden on anything else but the Metzler's but I don't think I would even bother trying another tire brand.
Once I find something I like, I usually stick with it.

 

I switched from the stock Dunlops, to Avon Venoms. Found them to be the perfect tire for my riding style, and like lowriderrobs post above, felt no reason to try out other brands.

 

I like the metzlers, I had the Dunlop's and the Metzlers seem to get at least 3k more miles!I jumped up to a 160/70/17 and have5K on the rear tire and it looks like I'll get another 4K out of it!

 

My stock rear Dunlop lasted 7000 miles. I'm not easy on tires. I replaced both with Avons (Venom on the front, Storm on the back). Put on almost another 7000 and the back tire still has plenty of tread. That's a little surprising since they are much stickier than the stockers.

 

I went from the stock tires to Avon Venoms. I really liked them but they didn't make it to 10,000 miles. Switched to Metzlers and they had a very similiar feel to the Avon's but for me they lasted longer. I got over 11,000 on the back tire and the front is still going good.

 

I've got the same 03 gun metal blue 10,000 miles probably original tires. That color is the best. I've had metz. on other bikes and there great and thats what i've been planning on replacing the 401's with myself. Has anyone here ever tried continentals? Used them for years in the past on sport bikes of the early 1980's (I used to sell them) Never a problem. Just woundering if anyone has any experience with them on a dyna? I'm running conti tkc80's on my Xr650 2nd set and could not be happier.

 

I just bought new tires from Dennis Kirk and got the Dunlops again. But I got the upgraded K591 V rated ones not the 401's

 

+1 I also run Metzlers, they are a great handling tire. Do not follow tar snakes or grooves in the road. You won't be dissapointed.

 

are metzlers REALLY that great? ive been using the dunlop 401s without too much trouble. but it seems like they could use a bit more grip.