What brand of tires do you prefer on your Kings? Does everyone go back with the Dunlop's or switch to another brand? And what sizes do you put back on? Can you go with a wider rear tire on a King, and if so what is the wides you can run?


Be Safe

 

From one Fire Captain to another--

It's all about safety and the proper equipment.

The Dunlop D402 is the only tire that has the load range specification Harley recomends for the touring bikes.

Yes, you can buy cheaper tires, yes you can buy high performance tires. But the only tire that comes up to specs is the D402.

 

I was not sure if there was another tire for our bikes. I have been doing a lot of reading and seeing people talk about putting Metzeler 880 on the rear of their bike. This is my first crusier and I am treading in new water and trying learn as much as a I can. It looks like about 6,000 miles is all I will get out of the rear, the wife and I plan on doing 2 up most of the time.

Just weighing my options and asking Lots of questions.

Be Safe

 

I like the Dunlops D402

 

Metzeler 880 same load rating, much better ride. go to the metzsite http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/tyres...fitment.action look up your year bike and see if they have a stage 1 upgrade available ( wider tire no bike mods)

 

Asking people about tires is like asking them about what oil they prefer,
I have Metzelers and I like them. Whatever you feel turns your crank should be fine.

 

I have an 05 RK Firefighter Special Edition.

Where I live is about 30 - 40 miles of twisties to get to the highway. I ride 2 up most of the time. I get about 8K out of a rear and 16K out of a front. I check the air pressure and keep them properly inflated.

I do alot of touring with the wife and bags of gear. I won't trust any tire that doesn't have the load range rating Harley recommends.

Sure, the Metzler 880 handles better in rain and doesn't follow the highway grooves like the D402, but it is also a softer compound and doesn't get as good of mileage as the Dunlop.

There have been several threads on tires and tire mileage,just do a search and read up on tires.

 

I've ridden on Dunlop tires on every bike I've ever owned, superbike, crotch rocket, Ultra. Never had a flat or a failure in 35 years. I get about 11k out of a rear doing mostly two-up riding, and often at or over MGVWR. IMO, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

Stock tires are made of a harder compound for better mileage. Metzeler and other aftermarket tires will be made of a softer compound for improved traction in wet and dry conditions. The softer compound will usually not get as much mileage out of them but for me that is OK. Metz will go on my Road Glide when I need to change tires

 

I ask this question in every tire discussion but have yet to get an answer.

The '07 baggers are running a Dunlop140(MU)x85x16 rear tire. Metzler and othersdon't make an 85-series tire. As a replacement, would you run their 140x90x16 or their 140x80x16 ??