I just picked up an 02 xl1200C in great condition, but is going to need new tires soon. Any long time sporty owners recommendations on good rubber
aside from the factory Dunlops? Any thoughts most appreciated.

 

Welcome!
try here...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...mendation.html

 

Metzeler ME880s...

 

^ yup

 

I run the stock Dunlops and have been happy with them. Got right at 10,000 out of the originals, then replaced with new ones & about 2,000 on them so far & they seem like a good tire to me. I have no expierience with the Metzlers, but hear they are a good tire, but a harder compound, which may sacrafice handling some but will last longer.

 

Against the stock Dunflops, the Metz ME880's sacrifice nothing, IMO.
The Metz 880s are a far superior handling and longer lasting tire than the 401/402 Dunlops.

You couldn't get me to put 401/402 tires on my bike, even if they were free.

 

Glad to hear someone who has them...maybe next time I'll go with the Metzler 880s...lot of people like them. How much do they cost compared to the Dunlops?

 

I've had the Metzler's after the stock Dunlops, and now I'm rocking the Avon Venoms.

 

Avon Venom X... great handling and very grippy... but do not last as long as stock..
.
.

 

Metzeler 880's are incredibly good tires. They handle better in the dry weather, stick better in the wet (almost like the pavement was still dry!) and they last at least as long as the stock Dunlops ***AS LONG AS YOU KEEP THE TIRE PRESSURE RIGHT ABOUT THE MAXIMUM!!!*** That's unbelievably important. Run them soft and they will wear out and handle like s&^%. Keep them at the maximum pressure and they last and handle better than you can believe. I have run Metzelers on my Harleys for over 100,000 miles, and I worked for the US distributor for several years so I have a lot of experience with them. I regularly get 15,000 miles out of a set, and they're still legal. Oh! And they cost about the same as the stock Dunlops.