I have 150 miles on my new HD401's and measured 9/32 in the center. The salesman told me the Metzlers ME880 had more tread depth. When I looked at both together the tread in the center was the same but the ME880 had deeper tread on the side.

 

for my money the Me 880's are the best on my Sporty. The front one still good but have worn out 1 rear tire last year and am working on the next one. Only got 8000 miles on that tire ( 1 years worth for me) but really like the feel. Stick to the road, rain or shine. I will probably need another rear tire next year but the front should still be ok, maybe.

 

another +1 for the ME880. Just replaced both ME880 F & R w/ ME880. I'm at 28k
Put the rear on @ 11k - got 17k
Put the front on @ 14k - got 14k

My observation:
less tendency to skid rear tire (especially in rain)
more stable on roads with groves cut into asphalt ( the stock tires seemed to wander from grove to grove)

They aren't cheap - I was $400 total @ iron pony w/ me taking off & remounting the wheels. - I can almost get 4 tires for my Grand Prix for that & they will go 60k. Oh well.

 

For what ever it may mean, and I'm not gonna to swim upstream with this, BUT my ME 880's just arrived and have "Made in Germany" embossed on the side of the tires. - Just an observation.

 

My new 17" ME880 says Brazil.

 

I don't think it matters around here for how long tires last,my tires seem to wear out fast on everything,I just dropped a chunk on Jeep tires and they barely made it 20k in about a year & I have no suspension issues This go around on the Harley I am trying another brand to see if that helps

 

They have two factories.A year or so ago they had a problem with the tires made in S.America along with a large recall of same, problems have been solved so you get a high quality tire from eather factory.

 

I got about 11,000 miles out of that D404 (not Harley branded) Dunlop rear I put on about 2 1/2 years ago (see post #19, above). I think I'll do it again. The front tire (21") is still going strong. The chicken strips on the rear are embarassing. It looks like I never turn. If I spent more time leaning and less hard, straight line acceleration, I might have got another thousand out of it.
$110 at Dennis Kirk now with the same "free" shipping plus $5 tire fee. The Harley branded D401 is $143. For reference, the high load (77H) rated Metzler ME880 is $132.