I only have 2 data points ....Dunlop and Metzlers, and the difference between the 2 was like night and day.When I was searching for new tires I talked to riders and looked at a lot of forums and reviews , including metric forums, and pretty much narrowed my selections based on the general opinions of what riders liked about the different selctions, IE. handling ,wear,rain performance,worm tracks and grated bridges. Then I narrowed it even farther by what type bikes and riding styles the riders were riding. this process took me a few months of research but was well worth it and when I walked in to purchased my set of tires I was sure they were the right ones for ME.I am not opposed to the other brands they just simply didn't stack up to what I was looking for.There is always going to be guys that say they hate or love one brand over another and the system I used weeded those opinions out pretty quick. That said .... it still seems just about anything you put on will be an improvement over the Dunlops. I really didnt like my OEM tires. BTW my buddy swears by Bridgestone.

 

I've got almost 10,000 miles on my set of Michelin commanders and they are both still strong. When I changed tires I used the Dyna Beads for balancing. What a SMOOOOOOOTH ride! Much better then the lops.

 

+ 2 on the Metzlers...............I'll never go back to dunlop

 

- gr,

- why do you say that the Metzs are bad ?

- can't get Avons here locally though.

cheers
.

 

I have never ridden with metzelers. Now you guys have me thinkin'. I run Dunlops simpley because I have never had a blow-out with them. I have a buddy that rides them right to the cords(He isnt the smartest guy-thinks saving a few bucks is worth it!) and swears by the lops as well. Ever have a blow out with the Metzelers?

 

Not to say that it can't happen again, but the only blowout I've ever had on a bike happened a long time ago when I was blissfully ignorant about most motorcycle maintenance, and also broke enough to postpone just about any maintenance that I was actually aware of.

 

I have only experienced Dunflops and Metzelers. IMO Metzelers are much better handling tires than the Dunflops and they more surefooted also. 8000 miles on the rear and still have tread on it, so mileage is not an issue.

On my pick ups I use nothing but Michelins. Would be interested to hear more actual experience on Michelins on a bike. Come on! Any one using them?

 

Me Too ! Luv them on my trucks, and would like to hear more actual real world experience about them on bikes.

 

I also use Michelins on my car, but don't know anyone using them on a bike. Do they have Wide White Walls for bikes?

 

Thanks everybody for all the opinions. I see I should've asked, What's the best kind of oil to run, I would of got as many different opinions, and hardly any answers to my question. I've sold Michelin tires for years on cars and light trucks, but I only used them one time on my pickup. I had good luck with them, but shied away from them because they are higher priced than a lot of other good tires.OK guys, I'll be the guinea pig for all of us,except the guy that had a bad experience with them. I've got a 1995 FXDS Lowrider Convertible. My Dunlop D402 didn't last a year. I ride 7 days a week, with 2 up, 200+ mile rides on weekends. The last Dunlop lasted about 12,000 miles,as did the one before. The Michelin is $10. cheaper than the Dunlop at the dealer. I'm getting ready to pull the back wheel so I can go to the dealer in the morning when they open. I'll be riding before noon. I'll keep everybody posted. If you see a blue Dyna, with a corner missing off the bottom of the windshield, and a guy riding it with a long grey beard coming at ya,wave, its me !