Hey All, 2009 fxdl 12,000 miles. what's the better ride, Avons ot Metzlers?
Thanks in advance, Paul

 

100 people answer...you'll get 50 for one brand and 50 for the other.

 

I like the ME880's.

 

Dunlop

 

I have Avon Cobra's and they handle great, they seem to be wearing faster than the stock Dunlops but I'm also pushing it harder because I have more confidence with the traction I have. I never ran a Metzler but have read a bunch of posts on them being a good choice also.

 

Haha, me too. 2nd front and 4th rear on this bike. A lot of dunny haters out there, and that's okay. I've been running them since the late 70's. They stick fine in the corners right down to the foot pegs and their friction break is gradual and predictable... what more could you ask?

 

I have Avons on my bike now handle good but had Metzlers before handle about the same the Metzlers lasted longer

 

That is a great question!

Of course just about any brand's tires will work just fine and meet manufacturer's standards. One might consider the stock Dunlops as a "standard" grade tire, one that a manufacturer buys in huge quantities, w/ an eye towards cost. Once we've used up the Dunlops which came on our bikes, we have the opportunity to upgrade to a "premium" tire, if we perceive any benefit: longer tread life, better wet and dry traction, more nimble handling, better puncture resistance, ... The added cost is usually nil, if we shop around. But, short of test-riding them, all we have to judge a tire by is the recommendations of those in the know who went before us, and our own past experience and judgement.

The Metzler brand was familiar to me because they made a very highly regarded off-road tire I happily used on my dirt bikes, 40 years ago. The recommendations from professional riders & motorcycle mechanics, internet blogs & forum members led me to replace my stock rear Dunlop w/ the ME880. Though I've put less than 1,000 miles on that tire, I have been so satisfied as to buy a replacement ME880 for the badly cupped (w/ correct air pressure) stock front Dunlop, even though there is still tread @ 10,000 miles.

YMMV.

 

Night dragons.

 

Motorcycle builder came to do some work to my bike and he told me to go with avon's said he used them alot for custom choppers and they're a real good tire.