Hi everyone, I was wondering if I put a poll up if I could get some ideas as to what would be the next best thing to stock tires? I have a sporty with dunlop 130/90 b16. I have done a little research and found that the D401 simply is the harley name on the tire, but looking for suggestions as far as other quality makes.

 

I did quite a bit of research on this a couple of months ago. I couldn't find any total definative difference between Dunlop 401 and Dunlop 404, except the Harley-Davidson on the 401. That included discussions with Dunlop customer service. I found plenty of folks with an opinion of the difference, but I couldn't find it anywhere in writing. Just that the 401 is a "better tire made exclusively for Harley-Davidson". But nobody could identify what makes the tire "better".

Anyway, I went with Metzler 880. I would have stayed with Dunlop, since I got pretty good service out of those tires, but due to the strike, the size for the rear tire wasn't available. So far, I like the Metzlers. I've only got about 2,500 miles on them, kinda a bit early to judge if I like them better than the Dunlops or not. I'll let ya know in about another 8,000 miles.

 

One of the differences I found listed in another forum between the Dunlop 401 & 404 is that the 404 is a bias ply tire. The HD 401 is a fiberglass belted tire.

 

I just mounted the Metzeler ME880's on my 1200c, they ride smoother than the factory Dunlops and they cost a bitless. Other riders I have talked to that have tried them say they last a bit longer than the Dunlops.

 

OK Im a fairly new rider here.......but do yall have shops that specilize in bike tires? Or does your local
Harley dealer sell other brands?? OR maybe go to a Honda, Kawa, Yamaha shop???.....Around here the only place I know to get tires is at a bike dealer

wayne