Looking to get some recommendations for a rear tire for my 2014 Sportster 48. Right now I am running the 150/80/16 Michelin Scorcher "31" that comes stock on the bike which I have had replaced once and am ready for another. I have been getting 13k-15k miles out of them but the price is a little steep. Been looking around and have heard some decent stuff about a couple brands and am leaning more towards the Metzeler ME880. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

Pirelli Night Dragons.

John

 

If riding in rain or on wet pavement it is desirable to have a center groove in the tread.
scorchet 31 has a center groove
High mileage sport thread tire without a center groove is a Michelin Commander 2.
Next set of tires will be either Commander 3 or the Metzeler ME888,since only ride on dry pavement.
Prefer the thread pattern on ME888 to Commander 2
, but Commander 2 may return higher mileage because of the rubber compound.

 

Thank you for the information. Did some research and found that the ME880 is only a tubeless type tire. Being that I have wire wheels that narrows it down.

 

you can run them with tubes. all moto tires will say tubeless on them.

i went with night dragons on my 48 the look mean.. I almost went wit the ME888 but they did not make a front for the 48 tire size.

 

REVISED! My preference is Avon Cobras. I haven't ridden with tyres that have a central groove for many years, with modern high tech tyres it is not necessary for dry or wet riding.

 

Cobra Tire site has some words on the center groove indicating it benefits traction on wet pavement especially the painted lane strip for commuters.

Night Dragons are have sticky rubber compound returning super traction on high lean angle hairpin on dry pavement. Dragons are not high mileage tires.

 

Michelin Commander II tires are available in 130/90R16 73H, I have it on my 2013 XL1200C front and a 150/80R16 77H in the rear.

 

some website do not list the load/Speed rating. (73H) for the front and (77h) for the rear so keep that in mind when ordering online. I asked a few website to get the info they didn't know. it may not be important to you or other. I just wanted the stock load and/or higher speed rating

 

Is the Michelin commander 2 , 130/90R-16 a front tire application or a rear tire,
placed on the front?