I need a new front tire on my bike.
2006 xl 1200 custom
21 inch front tire.
I am in Alaska, do not get hot weather.
Want to be safe going around curves.. taking trips.. but not ROLLING IN MONEY like some people..
Want the best tire for the buck, not cheepo.. but not top dollar..
Your thoughts from your experience please?

Next question.. is it hard to change a front tire myself.. or should I just pay the Harley dealership $100.00 to do it...
They want $285.00 for the tire and labor.
Thanks for your advice and time!

 

Well, I can tell you that I just got new tires (Switched from the HD Dunlops) and I'm now riding AVONs. I don't know how good they would work in your specific weather but man, I'm loving these tires, I for sure won't go back to Dunlops at all. They were pretty good in price and the quality is superb. I've heard some people complain about the tread lasting less than stock tires, but whatever I've put 900 miles on em' and they look brand new, as if they had 2 miles. They grip really well and handle bumps and potholes better, but what I love the most is that they don't follow the road cracks and lines like the other ones did.

As far as the installation goes, I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself, but instead of taking it to the dealership, I would take it to an independent shop. I paid $100 for replacing both tires and this was at a popular shop around L.A. But dealerships charge too much!

Hope this helps.

 

I installed this Michelin Commander II in March, after 2,000 miles it looks good. It felt different than the Dunlop but I don't know if it was good different or bad different but it has grown on me. I installed it myself and used DK's balancing beads. It had not turned a single revolution when the picture was taken.

 

Dealers might have a better deal in February. I got a set of Metzler 888's for 25% off plus half off labor over the Winter. A lot of dealers have sales in February.

-Beer

 

I like Avons, big tracking and traction improvement. I hear the same about some of the Metzlers and Michelins, too. The lower mileage than Dunlops doesn't bother me, it's a tradeoff for better handling and safety I'm willing to pay for. Not saying Dunlops are bad, if I was riding a new purchase home with 30,000 miles on the front tire, or 15 year old tires, I'd want Dunlops on it; they have amazing longevity. Around here, tire installation runs around $30 per wheel, with balancing, if you bring the wheel in. You can change a tire yourself; I've done 6 in the past year, but I also have a tire changer, makes it easy - well, easier. I'd be reluctant to use spoons on that skinny spoked front wheel, and if you haven't done it before, it's easy (and common for first timers) to pinch or tear the tube. There are several on line stores that sell tires way cheaper than most dealers; I've bought from motorcyclesuperstore.com and denniskirk.com with good service. But not all shops will put a tire on you didn't buy from them. Think I paid about $120 delivered for my 21" Avon.

Or you could take a 3000 mile trip and let my grandson do it...

 

Pirelli and Avon are great tires, but in the spirit of the OP, like you said you do not want to spend a bunch of money.

A good while ago I started running Shinko tires and they stick like Avon or Pirelli, but are more economical and last a little bit longer. Ride quality is ten times better than stock tires too.

On my 07 XLC I run the Shinko 777 90/90 21". If you get it do not run it at the 32 psi the stock tire runs at. 37 is perfect for that tire.

Go to Motorcycle super store and check it out. Once you ride on that tire you will only wonder why other tires that are not even close in performance cost so much more.

 

The stock tire pressure on a 2007 1200 C should be 30 front 36 rear.

 

I'm also looking to replace the stock Dunlops with something that handles better.

Recently picked up a 2004 883C that only had 1100 miles on it - i've put 1500 on it in the last two months, but seeing as the factory tires are 10 years old, i don't want to run them much longer.

Has anyone else been running the Michelin Commander II's, or even the Metzeler 880's?

 

I run the Commander II tires and they're a sizable upgrade to the stock Dunlops.

 

You are going to get suggestions to use every well-known brand of tyre on the planet! We all have our favourites and mine happens to be Avon, which I've been using on my Harleys since the 70s. Others that get good reviews on HDF are Continental, Metzeler and Michelin. When changing away from stock tyres make sure you check the correct tyre pressures with the manufacturer. As an example Avon usually recommend higher pressures than in your owners manual.